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For every child, the right to HOPE! 

Vacancy Announcement: Consultant

Consultancy Title: Senior Policy Consultant - Climate Resilience for Children

Section/Division/Duty Station: Climate Resilience Center of Excellence, Global Programme Division, NYHQ

Duration: October 27, 2025 to December 31, 2026

Home/ Office Based: NYHQ/ Remote 

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/Assignment: 

Climate change, disasters and environmental degradation threaten children’s rights and well-being, undermining progress in child survival and development. It is imperative that countries adopt climate-focused policies and financing strategies that ensure climate-resilient, low-carbon social services to help children and families adapt to increasingly severe impacts.

Aligned with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan and Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP), UNICEF advances policy to embed child rights across Paris Agreement instruments (NDCs, NAPs, sector plans) and UNFCCC guidance, linking climate policy commitments to country-level systems and risk-informed, shock-responsive services for children.

As UNICEF drives practical, measurable policy change in climate action, a senior consultant is needed to provide expert analysis and input to sustain multilateral climate policy engagement at high technical quality, under the supervision of the Global Technical Director of UNICEFs Center of Excellence (CoE) for Climate Resilience for Children. 

Scope of Work:

As a recognized climate policy expert, the senior consultant will support the Global Technical Director in the climate resilience CoE in leading UNICEF’s policy engagement, strengthening its offer and influence in shaping national to global climate frameworks, providing technical advice and guidance to the CoE, regional and Country Offices, enhancing internal and external engagement, and UNICEF’s UNFCCC and institutional partnerships on climate change policy.

Provide strategic policy leadership and technical guidance on climate-related priorities

- Provide technical guidance to integrate children and essential services in national climate instruments (NDCs, NAPs, DRR strategies), aligned with SCAP and Strategic Plan.

- Analyze UNICEF programming and evidence to inform child-responsive climate policy formulation and implementation.

- Develop policy positions, guidance and tools to support climate-focused policy engagement across sectors and levels.

- Strengthen UNICEF’s capacity to influence global climate processes, including UNFCCC negotiations.

- Advance evidence-based, cross-sectoral policy integration within UNICEF and with key partners

- Support regional and country offices via COEs to enhance policy relevance and impact, providing technical backstopping and capacity development.

- Consolidate and communicate evidence on climate policy implementation, identifying opportunities for scale.

- Facilitate knowledge exchange to enhance institutional coherence and policy-to-programme pathways.

- Support UNICEF’s UNFCCC engagement and institutional partnerships with the UNFCCC secretariat and relevant bodies.

- Contribute to UNICEF engagement in emerging global mechanisms (e.g. Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, Santiago Network), in coordination with relevant teams.

- Prepare technical briefs, submissions and materials for negotiations.

- Support coherence with other multilateral frameworks (e.g SDGs, Sendai Framework) and UNICEF’s global climate agenda. 

Terms of Reference / Deliverables

Provide strategic policy leadership and technical guidance on climate-related priorities   

- 1 x 2-page UNICEF climate change policy priorities for 2026 and 1 x internal slide deck based on 1 round of feedback

31 January 2026

- 14 x monthly 2-3 page internal climate policy updates and 14 x monthly internal planning calls, including 3-5 slides

15 December 2026

- Guide PG-partnerships cone coordination, providing technical guidance/shaping UNICEF corporate direction on climate policy (14 x calls; 1-page readout/action log).

15 December 2026

- Technical review of 5-page brief assessing child-sensitivity of NDCs 3.0, best practice, lessons learned, and policy impact + recommendations.

15 March 2026

- Finalize 1 x zero draft national climate policy guide for COs to embed child-sensitive commitments in NAPs/ sector plans to strengthen policy impact (20 pages); integrate 2 x rounds of feedback and finalize document

31 January 2026

- Support 13 x monthly national climate policy helpdesk calls for COs (review deck and 1-2 page monthly summary)

31 December 2026

- Track progress on child-sensitive policies, based on Strategic Plan reporting (1 x 5-page analytical brief)

15 December 2026

- Input to 5 x SCAP Steering Committee meetings and/or SCAP-related content/initiatives

15 December 2026

1 x joint workplan on non-economic loss and damage (L&D) for children, in coordination with Innocenti and DAPM

31 January 2026

Review UNICEF submission to UNDP/UNEP on L&D indicators

28 February 2026

Technical review of internal loss and damage “primer” for COs on L&D architecture, UNICEF comparative offer, programmatic and policy entry points and relevant tools/resources to engage with governments

31 March 2026

Inputs/review for 1 x research/policy briefing on non-economic L&D for children

30 September 2026

Advance evidence-based policy integration and cross-sectoral alignment

- Advance uptake of UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Report/ database in research and policymaking (coordinate 3 x meetings and presentations to key academic partners).

30 September 2026

- Technical review of 8 x UNICEF strategic documents/knowledge products/funding proposals

15 December 2026

Strengthen political commitments to child-sensitive climate action.    

- 4 x Group of Friends for Children meetings (concept note, agenda, briefing note and readout), in coordination with COs and NatComs 

30 November 2026

- 2 x 4-page policy briefs (SB64; COP31)

15 October 2026

- Develop 1 x COP31 UNICEF Roadmap, coordinating and reviewing inputs from teams, review COP31 delegation and budget, in coordination with COP project manager

31 July 2026

- Participate in 12 x COP31 Task Force meetings to provide policy steer (12 x 1-page readouts on key decisions/actions)

15 December 2026
-  Facilitate COP31 Presidency engagement (3 x meetings, 3 x written readouts)  

31 October 2026

- Consolidate 1 x written UNICEF submission to COP31 Presidency Action Agenda and quality assure/technical review of 2 x COP31 Presidency Action Agenda outputs to ensure alignment with UNICEF priorities

31 October 2026

3 x 4-page written negotiations/policy readouts (COP30; SB64; COP31)

15 December 2026

Chair 2 x in-house webinars on COP debrief & next steps (COP30; COP31)

15 December 2026

2 x written inputs to UNICEF-wide COP summary and 2 x COP online debriefs with senior management (COP30; COP31)

15 December 2026

Support 40 x meetings with policy/research stakeholders to strengthen UNICEF influence and partnerships on climate policy (review at least 20 briefing notes for senior management; provide 1 x readout/meeting)

31 December 2026

Input to child rights/CSO sector policy asks for COP31 (review 2 x COP31 position papers to ensure alignment with UNICEF priorities (e.g. CERI coalition, Interagency Standing Committee).

31 December 2026

1 x written input to YOUNGO Global Youth Statement

31 December 2026

Strengthen young climate negotiators’ capacity: participate in 1 x interactive session, 1-page summary.

Strengthen institutional collaboration with UNFCCC secretariat: coordinate inputs, draft content, consolidate feedback, 1 x joint workplan, participate in 10 x calls

31 March 2026 

Qualifications

(1) Education

Masters degree in public policy, international relations, climate science or a related field is required. 

(2) Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• 10+ years’ experience delivering public policy outcomes in climate-relevant sectors

• Strong child rights expertise with proven track record integrating child rights in global and national climate policues, including NDCs, NAPs, DRR strategies, and sectoral frameworks

• Extensive experience in policy formulation, strategic advisory roles, and intergovernmental climate negotiations.

• Demonstrated leadership in convening cross-sectoral partnerships to shape global policy, strengthen capacity, and advance child-responsive climate action

• Proven ability to analyze complex climate, DRR and sustainability policies, translating evidence into strategic, child-rights focused policy positions.

• Strong communication skills, including briefing notes, talking points, and presentations for high-level officials

• Ability to work effectively across cultures and with diverse stakeholders.

• Proficient in English; a second UN language would be an advantage.

Requirements: 

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

• Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :
  • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, are encourage to apply are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (if applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.