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, a bright future

Purpose of Activity/Assignment: The purpose of this consultancy is to support the continued implementation, coordination, and learning journey of the Innocenti Youth Fellowship on Climate Education (2026–2027). Building on the establishment of the Fellowship's learning journey architecture, partnership, governance structures and research outputs, this consultancy will support:

The delivery and coherence of the Fellowship learning journey
Coordination across fellows, senior fellows, advisory group members, session facilitators ad speakers, and strategic partners
Development and adaptation of curriculum, session design, learning materials, facilitation tools, and visual learning resources to support diverse learning styles, including tailoring content for younger fellows
Planning and coordination of masterclasses, participatory workshops, mentor sessions, webinars, peer-learning exchanges, and expert engagement sessions
Structured documentation, synthesis, and translation of Fellowship learning, insights, and emerging themes
Identification, documentation, and synthesis of youth-led climate education Bright Spots from fellows and the wider applicant pool
Development of the Bright Spots Report and associated knowledge products
Coordination and integration of Fellowship outputs, including the Future of Climate Education Report, Global Policy Brief, Future of Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE), Climate Education Digital Report/Atlas, and storytelling products
Translation of insights into evidence, policy-relevant outputs, knowledge products, and dissemination materials
Coordination of Fellowship engagement in Climate Week NYC, COP31, ACE processes, and other strategic learning, convening and policy opportunities
Partnership engagement, reporting, knowledge management, and documentation processes

The consultant will contribute to ensuring that the Fellowship functions as a coherent, connected learning and systems platform, supporting UNICEF's broader work on climate education, youth participation, intergenerational governance.

Background: In response to recommendations from the 2024 Leading Minds Conference on Climate Action, UNICEF Innocenti launched the Innocenti Youth Fellowship on Climate Education—an 18-month, youth-led initiative designed to identify and strengthen innovative climate education "Bright Spots" across diverse contexts.

As the Fellowship enters the next phase of implementation, the focus is shifting from identification and exploration toward collective learning, synthesis, documentation, and influence. Through a structured learning journey, fellows are engaging in research, foresight, peer learning, expert dialogues, and collaborative knowledge generation to explore the future of climate education and identify pathways for systems change. This phase requires ongoing coordination and learning support to strengthen the coherence and impact of the Fellowship learning journey, support diverse learners across age groups and geographies, document and synthesize emerging insights and promising practices, and translate Fellowship learning into evidence, knowledge products, and policy-relevant outputs.

Particular emphasis will be placed on the documentation and synthesis of youth-led climate education Bright Spots emerging from both the Fellowship cohort and the broader applicant pool, as well as the development of key Fellowship outputs, including the Bright Spots Report, Future of Climate Education Report, Global Policy Brief, Future of Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE), Climate Education Atlas, and associated storytelling and dissemination products.

How can you make a difference?

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the Terms of Reference here: ToR Fellowship Coordination Consultant TMS.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: Bachelors degree in Coordination, Climate Education, Research, Futures Thinking and Foresight, Training and Facilita Youth Development, Climate, Education, Research, Training, Evidence Synthesis, Writing or another technical field relevant to the work of UNICEF
Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies, International Development, Education, Climate Science, or related field. Master's degree in relevant field is an advantage;

Years of Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

7-9 years of experience in climate, youth engagement, advocacy, education, or research activities
Strong research and analytical skills with experience in literature reviews and qualitative research methods;
Knowledge and experience of convening in virtual settings, with strong familiarity with digital workspaces, communication tools and conferencing platforms;
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities with experience developing outreach materials or documentation;
Proficiency with digital collaboration tools and online research platforms;
Experience participating in or supporting climate initiatives, youth networks, or educational programs;
Ability to work independently while managing multiple deliverables and timelines;
Ability to work in a multicultural environment
Fluency in English required; additional languages an asset

Desirable qualifications:

Good attention to detail and demonstrated ability to organize own work, and work of others according to deadlines.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment with staff with differing experience and skills and with staff in different geographic locations.
Knowledge and experience of conducting research on emerging issues, futures, or child rights themes is an advantage.
A strong ability to manage, negotiate and collaborate with external and internal experts.
Knowledge of other UN official languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese) is an advantage.
Prior experience of working with the United Nations and good knowledge of UNICEF’s internal organization is an advantage but not essential.
A flexible mindset and ‘can-do’ attitude in an evolving programme context.
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex issues to a lay audience.

For every Child, you demonstrate Care

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 (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter
A separate financial proposal Financial proposal Fellowship Coordination.docx

Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not visible 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.

Fellowship Coordination Consultant,Office of Strat & Eviden(OSE), Innocenti, Italy, 12 months (Remote/Work from home)