Alexander Gittens

Alexander F. H. Gittens 12 Ward Street, Tunapuna, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago - - PROFILE A high-performing, motivated, and strategic professional with extensive experience in business development, project management, international relations, and gender-based violence initiatives. Proven ability to drive growth, profitability, and operational efficiencies through leadership and collaboration. Demonstrates exceptional interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills, with a strong track record of managing teams, mentoring entrepreneurs, and executing high-impact projects. Adept at working independently or as part of a team to achieve organisational goals. ACHIEVEMENTS • Successfully managed the development and implementation of the Central Registry on Genderbased Violence in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister • Successfully managed the introduction of a workplace policy on Gender-based violence between the National Trade Union Centre (NATUC) and the Employers Consultative Association (ECA) • Successfully managed and mentored entrepreneurs of start-up to bring business enterprises to stable, profitable state. • Converted project unit’s entire paper-based file and reporting system to digital format creating paperless office - Resources Management Consultants Ltd. • Pioneered work with the Deaf Community in ICT field; • Established and maintained project unit’s database which considerably reduced duplication and errors. • Solved process problems which consistently caused significant delay in work flows. • Developed training programmes for community groups locally and in the Eastern Caribbean • Revised university course to be more relevant AREAS OF COMPETENCE • Business Development • Administration • International Trade • Customer Service • International Relations • • • • • • Monitoring & Evaluation Research Project Management Mediation/Negotiation Training & Development Teaching/Training PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Project Manager, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) January to December 2024 • Supported the implementation of UNFPA activities • Managed Government, Civil Society and Individual consulting partners. • Disability Focal Point • Comprehensive Sexuality Education Focal Point • Provided training and guidance to local and regional partners, and beneficiaries Alexander F. H. Gittens 12 Ward Street, Tunapuna, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago - - Project Manager, Spotlight Initiative (UNFPA) October 2022 to December 2023 • Supported the implementation of UNFPA-led components of the Spotlight Initiative in three focal regions: Tunapuna/Piarco, Mayaro/Rio Claro and Tobago. • Supported the implementation of UNFPA activities in coordination with other United Nations agencies and Implementation Partners (including Government and Civil Society) • Supported the implementation of interventions under pillars 3, 4 and 5, of the Spotlight Initiative, coordinating with implementation partners from the government and civil society • Managed Government, Civil Society and Individual consulting partners. Project Officer, Spotlight Initiative (UNFPA) October 2020 to September 2022 Under the UNPRPD (Disabilities) project: • Facilitated workshops for persons with disabilities and organisatoins of persons with disabilities. • Supported and contributed to the development of a comprehensive situational analysis utilising multi-stakeholders’ consultations • Supported and contributed to the writing of a full grant proposal for United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) project. • Supported the development and dissemination of Press Releases • Supported the Project Steering Committee (PSC) that governs, monitors and evaluates project implementation and progress. • Contributed to the monitoring and evaluation framework for the UNPRPD project • Supported the development of the project workplan with the relevant stakeholders, including the project steering committee. • Supported and provided technical inputs to UNFPA’s Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean’s work on disabilities and gender equality. • Contributed to the preparation, and development of reports, correspondence, and technical documents on project related matters Incubator Manager, National Integrated Business Incubator System (IBIS), Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development March 2014 to August 2018 • Managed the strategic operations and processes of the Business Incubator. • Managed the funds approved for the incubation phase, including approving expenditure and ensuring that the procurement process followed the approved procurement procedures • Monitored service providers to ensure delivery in accordance with contractual agreements • Ensured locations were equipped with the required hardware, software and the necessary infrastructure to carry out daily functions. • Mentored entrepreneurs Alexander F. H. Gittens 12 Ward Street, Tunapuna, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago -,- - Part-Time/Freelance, 2018-present • Business Consultant to SMEs - Creative Minds Children's Centre; The Kuttage Artisan Boutique Part-Time/Freelance,- • Business Consultant to SMEs and NGOs • Training Consultant - PMSL (2013) • Facilitator for Youth Empowerment Programme in Prevention of Gender Based Violence – Population Services International (2016) Adjunct Lecturer (International Relations – CARICOM Single Market and Economy), Department of Behavioural Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine January 2011 to August 2011 • Course development and supervision of undergraduate students. • Prepared and delivered lectures and tutorials • Assessed and graded student assignments • Supported and maintained the University’s national and international reputation for excellence in teaching and research • Designed, set and marked exams scripts Guest Lecturer, Institute of International Relations, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine - 2011 to 2013 • Lectured, supervised graduate students. • Supported and maintained the University’s national and international reputation for excellence in teaching and research Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Caribbean HIV & AIDS Alliance (USAID Funded Project) – January to December 2010 • Led the monitoring and evaluation activities across programmes. • Strengthened the capacity of organisations in the Eastern Caribbean to perform M&E for programme initiatives which provided improved linkages among National Programmes, Private Sector and Community Organisations. • Provided technical assistance to local community projects and national programmes in the Eastern Caribbean. • Organised and conducted workshops and seminars for implementing partners in Eastern Caribbean (Antigua/Barbuda, St. Kitts/Nevis, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines) Programme Coordinator, Ministry of Science, Technology & Tertiary Education,- • Supervised Tech-Voc programmes within South/Central region of Trinidad • Monitored Training Providers and Facilitators in the delivery of training. • Planned, designed, implemented and evaluated activities to achieve programme objectives • Established systems for the maintenance of data and records • Assisted in preparation of budgetary estimates for region • Prepared reports based on monitoring and control. Alexander F. H. Gittens 12 Ward Street, Tunapuna, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago -,- - Part-Time/ Freelance, 2006/2008 • ICT Consultant: Ministry of Education – Secondary Education Modernisation Project (2008) • Business Development Consultant to SMEs and NGOs (Scrubs Up Ltd; Toolaram Taxi Service; Kuttage Interiors) • Part-time Lecturer at SITAL College of Tertiary Education o Lecturer: Personnel Information Systems (HR Diploma 2) o Dissertation advisor: ABMA’s Diploma in Professional Journalism o Lecturer: Business and Business Communication • Guest Lecturer, Institute of International Relations, University of the West Indies- o COURSE: International Trade and Economic Development Administrative Manager, Resources Management Consultants Ltd., of Toronto, Canada,- • Provided administrative, IT and M&E support to Consulting Firm responsible for technical assistance procurement for the Health Sector of Trinidad and Tobago. • Developed and supervised the implementation of work schedules for administrative team to meet service requirements and ensure efficiency. • Supervised staff within administrative team to ensure project needs and requirements were met. • Monitored the day-to-day delivery of services. Took remedial action, as necessary, to limit the incidence of service interruptions. • Assisted in preparation of Unit’s annual budget • Developed and maintained Unit’s database, ensuring accurate and timely collection and recording of all documentation • Maintained stable IT network to adapt to growing needs • Established data standards in support of data collection/data sharing required by Project Team • Developed and implemented disaster recovery plan • Established and maintained electronic library Special Education Teacher (Ministry of Education), Cascade School for the Deaf,- • Classroom teaching, at all levels. • Designed and implemented curriculum • Led Parent and Public Education Programme • Coordinated Staff Development • Led Project Planning Team • Supported coordination of job placement/Cooperative Education Programme. Alexander F. H. Gittens 12 Ward Street, Tunapuna, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago -,- - EDUCATION • MSc. International Relations, Institute of International Relations, University of the West Indies (Electives: International Trade and Development; Migration and Diasporic Affairs in Development; International Money and Finance; Latin American Affairs) • Post Graduate Diploma, International Relations. (Electives: International Trade; International Law; Seminar: The CSME) • Bachelor of Business Administration, University of New Brunswick (Electives: Marketing, Finance, International Business) • Certificate in Education – Teaching of the Deaf, University of the West Indies • Teachers’ Diploma, Valsayn Teachers’ College OTHER TRAINING • Microsoft Certified Professional, Townshend Institute of Information Technology • Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS), BorderCom International • Certificate in PC Maintenance, University of the West Indies • Certificate in Youth Work, Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) WORKSHOPS/SEMINARS • Size Estimation for Most at Risk Populations, UNAIDS • Study Design, Caribbean Health Research Council • Writing Course Learning Outcomes, Instructional Development Unit, UWI • Assessor Training, National Training Agency • Train the Trainer • Supporting Export in Services for regional enterprises • AML/CFT Obligations VOLUNTEERISM • Co-founder/Editor, 1804caribvoices.org - Online platform • Founder/Advisor - Anchor’s Foundation – Faith Based Organisation • Founder/Advisor – TLOT Foundation – Non-Profit Organisation