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 help

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this assignment is to provide specialized analytical, advocacy and partnership expertise to strengthen UNICEF’s engagement on children and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The consultancy will produce a defined set of strategic, analytical and knowledge products to inform UNICEF’s engagement with Member States and UN processes related to the 2030 Agenda.

The assignment will develop advocacy, briefing and political analysis products for key SDG-related platforms and intergovernmental fora, including ECOSOC and the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), as well as materials aimed at strengthening the visibility and integration of children’s rights within sustainable development discussions and outcomes.

The consultancy will also produce partnership engagement and reporting materials related to UNICEF’s partnership with Nord Anglia Education on children and the SDGs, as well as associated outreach and advocacy products. In addition, the assignment will generate knowledge products and practical recommendations to strengthen child and youth engagement in Voluntary National Review (VNR) processes, document lessons learned and political analysis from intergovernmental discussions, and advance advocacy linked to the Group of Friends of Children and the SDGs.

The assignment is time-bound and structured around specific deliverables responding to priority analytical, partnership and advocacy requirements related to SDG processes in 2026 and 2027.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: TMC0003872 ToR.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: A master's degree in international affairs, social sciences, economics, communication, or another relevant field is required.
Work Experience:
- A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in political and/or policy advocacy, intergovernmental affairs, partnerships, youth engagement, and/or strategic communications is required.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the United Nations system, Member State and intergovernmental processes, and the SDGs is required.
Language requirement: Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required. Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.
Skills: Experience supporting engagement with children and young people, including in advocacy, consultations, youth participation processes, or education-related initiatives, is highly desirable.
Experience supporting partnerships with external stakeholders, including governments, civil society, academia, or private sector partners, is an asset.

Desirables:

Experience supporting UN intergovernmental processes, including the HLPF, UNGA, COP, or broader UN sustainable development discussions is highly desirable.
Experience preparing briefing materials, political analysis, reports, and advocacy products for senior management and external stakeholders is desirable

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 TMC0003872 Financial Proposal Template.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.

Intergovernmental Engagement Consultant, New York, USA, PPR UN & Member States, New York, office-based #594416