UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to advocacy.

How can you make a difference?

World Children's Day (WCD) is UNICEF's flagship annual global advocacy moment, bringing together children, young people, partners, supporters and governments to champion children's rights and amplify children's voices worldwide. In parallel, UNICEF80 marks a significant milestone in UNICEF's history, providing a unique opportunity to celebrate eight decades of advancing the rights and well-being of children while inspiring renewed commitment to UNICEF's mission for the future.

In China, the theme for WCD 2026 is UNICEF@80. Offline and online activities across the country will be organized in the run-up to the moment and on the day, including “Light Ups.” The Light Up initiative engages government institutions, private sector partners, as well as other key stakeholders in coordinating city-wide illumination of prominent buildings and landmarks, as well as community-level “creative light ups” that engage schools and other child-focused spaces to participate in the celebrations. To support the demand for an impactful and carefully coordinated light up effort, UNICEF China is seeking a consultant. The selected candidate will provide dedicated coordination and technical support to plan, organize, deliver and document the light-up initiative, with internal teams and external stakeholders, as well as support the invitation logistics of the flagship event on 20 November.

• To support the coordination and successful implementation of WCD light-up initiatives across China at a city and community level, by liaising with internal UNICEF sections and engaging external partners, such as cities, counties and schools.

• To coordinate timely development and delivery of partner-facing materials and ensure smooth implementation of related operational requirements. To coordinate the return of photos and videos from the partners for use on the UNICEF website and social media.

• To develop practical systems, templates, tracking mechanisms and documentation including contact list of cities/partners participating in the light ups to systematize the light-up process and facilitate replication for future WCD events.

• To support the Front Office in coordinating invitations and maintaining the invitee list for the WCD flagship event in Beijing.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: Download File World Children’s Day City Light Up Consultant.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...

Minimum requirements:

Education:
Bachelors of Communications, Public Relations, International Relations, Political Science, Project Management
Work Experience:
At least 2 years of relevant professional experience, including experience in project/event coordination, stakeholder engagement, communications, partnerships, or related areas.
Experience supporting events or initiatives involving multiple partners is highly desirable.
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:
Strong project coordination and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams, timelines and deliverables.
Experience coordinating with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including partners, vendors and public-sector organizations.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to manage follow-up and maintain effective partner relationships.
Experience supporting events, campaigns or multi-stakeholder initiatives, including operational and logistical coordination.
Strong attention to detail and ability to develop and maintain trackers, databases, templates and other coordination tools.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Chinese.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in both English and Chinese
Desirables:
Prior experience working with UNICEF or other United Nations agencies, demonstrating familiarity with UN processes, protocols and stakeholder engagement approaches.
Experience coordinating high-level events, public campaigns or initiatives involving government, diplomatic missions, private-sector partners or other senior stakeholders.
Experience working in an international organization, development agency, public sector institution or similarly complex stakeholder environment.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter
A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) Financial proposal for World Children’s Day City Light Up Consultant.docx

Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not downloadable on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

World Children’s Day City Light Up Consultant (Office-based), 2 months, Beijing