About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines fordeveloping countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

Consultancy UNFCCC Policy Consultant

Duty Station: Programme Group, CEED

Duration: 1 Dec 2025 – 31 Dec 2027

Home/ Office Based: 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 UNFCCC policy consultant is needed to support UNICEF engagement in key climate policy processes. This includes collaboration with current and incoming COP Presidencies to elevate child rights, monitoring key negotiations workstreams, supporting effective engagement with the Action Agenda, and contributing to political advocacy, mobilization efforts and government engagement, including through the Group of Friends for Children and Climate Action. The consultant will also support internal coordination, policy planning and fundraising efforts, aligned with UNICEF’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (2023-2030) and climate policy priorities

Scope of Work:

The consultant will support UNICEF’s Center of Excellence (CoE) for Climate Resilience for Children to advance child-responsive climate policy, action, and finance, including delivery of UNICEF-led initiatives and engagements, with a particular focus on Party engagement under the UNFCCC process. This includes advancing the work of the Group of Friends for Children and Climate Action and supporting UNICEF’s sustained engagement across COP-related initiatives and the Presidency Action Agenda, identifying opportunities for influence, supporting internal coordination, technical input and guidance to advance child rights as a priority in international climate processes.

Funding is not currently available to cover all planned deliverables. Certain deliverables will only be completed if additional resources become available

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

Work Assignment Overview/Deliverables and Outputs/Delivery deadline

 1.Support UNICEF’s policy impact in UNFCCC negotiations, with a particular focus on Party engagement and relevant constituencies.

- Develop and update (11) a detailed UNICEF negotiations engagement plan, including targeted Parties, key messages, and priority interventions

31 Oct 2026

- Support delivery of UNICEF-led initiatives during key climate events (8 x high-quality briefing notes, agendas, concept notes, and post-event reports/summaries).

15 Dec 2026

-  2 x analyses of GoFC and Action Agenda developments following SB64 and COP31 conducted, and next steps recommended 

30 Nov 2026

-  Prepare 1 x online webinar/briefing for Governments to present evidence, data and policy messages (invite, agenda, outreach) in coordination with relevant teams/external partners

15 Oct 2026

2.  Support strategic engagement and internal coordination towards the UNFCCC with relevant UNICEF teams to position UNICEF’s climate policy priorities in advocacy, programming, and partnerships 

-  Organize 6 x climate policy meetings with key regional, country and Centre of Excellence offices to guide engagement (agenda, draft 6 x 1-page summaries)

15 Nov 2026

-  Support delivery of 10 x Global Climate Policy monthly meetings (prepare agendas and background documents).

30 Nov 2026

-  Support regular coordination meetings with relevant UNICEF teams and the COP31 Project manager to track progress, address bottlenecks, and maintain alignment (1 x excel action tracker including key tasks and agreed actions)

31 Oct 2026

-  Provide inputs to 5 x briefing packs for senior leadership and/or technical teams on UNFCCC policy engagement

15 Dec 2026

-  Support 5 x meetings for UNICEF management on COP31 planning, including inputs on agenda and materials

15 Dec 2026

3.  Support coordination across UNICEF’s COP-related initiatives, including the Presidency Action Agenda, advancing UNICEF’s priorities through COP leadership transitions and evolving negotiations

-  Facilitate 8 x monthly meetings between the COP31 Presidency, PYCC, UNFCCC, and UNICEF (prepare agenda, materials and internal readout

30 Nov 2026

-  1 x internal mapping of UNICEF’s engagement across the COP31 Action Agenda, based on regular inputs from relevant teams, and provide related inputs to COP31 Roadmap.

31 Oct 2026

-  1 x 5-page summary and recommendations report to guide UNICEF’s positioning for the COP31-COP32 Presidency transition. 1 x 5-page summary and recommendations report to guide UNICEF’s positioning for the COP31-COP32 Presidency transition

15 Dec 2026 

-  Support UNICEF’s engagement on the Action for Climate Empowerment and Human Development agendas, in collaboration with relevant internal and external teams (10 x meeting agendas, invites, and concise readouts, technical inputs to SB64 and COP31 policy briefs).

15 Dec 2026

-  Support event coordination and liaise with the COP31 host UNICEF office to ensure preparation and delivery of UNICEF activities (8 x internal biweekly meetings, inputs/support to 4 x meetings with external stakeholders, including concept/ briefing notes

31 Oct 2026

3.  Support UNICEF’s policy impact in UNFCCC negotiations, with a particular focus on Party engagement and relevant constituencies

-  Develop and update (11) a detailed UNICEF negotiations engagement plan, including targeted Parties, key messages, and priority interventions

31 Oct 2027

-  Support delivery of UNICEF-led initiatives during key climate events (8 x high-quality briefing notes, agendas, concept notes, and post-event reports/summaries).

15 Dec 2027

-  2 x analyses of GoFC and Action Agenda developments following SB66 and COP32 conducted, and next steps recommended

30 Nov 2027 

-  Prepare 1 x online webinar/briefing for Governments to present evidence, data and policy messages (invite, agenda, outreach) in coordination with relevant teams/external partners

15 Oct 2027

4. Support strategic engagement and internal coordination towards the UNFCCC with relevant UNICEF teams to position UNICEF’s climate policy priorities in advocacy, programming, and partnerships

-  Organize 6 x climate policy meetings with key regional, country and Centre of Excellence offices to guide engagement (agenda, draft 6 x 1-page summaries)

15 Dec 2027

-  Support delivery of 10 x Global Climate Policy monthly meetings (prepare agendas and background documents).

30 Nov 2027 

-  Support regular coordination meetings with relevant UNICEF teams and the COP32 Project manager to track progress, address bottlenecks, and maintain alignment (1 x excel action tracker including key tasks and agreed actions

31 Oct 2027

-  Provide inputs to 5 x briefing packs for senior leadership and/or technical teams on UNFCCC policy engagement

15 Dec 2027

-  Support 5 x meetings for UNICEF management on COP32 planning, including inputs on agenda and materials

15 Dec 2027

5.  Support coordination across UNICEF’s COP-related initiatives, including the Presidency Action Agenda, advancing UNICEF’s priorities through COP leadership transitions and evolving negotiations

-  Facilitate 8 x monthly meetings between the COP32 Presidency, PYCC, UNFCCC, and UNICEF (prepare agenda, materials and internal readout

30 Nov 2027 

-  1 x internal mapping of UNICEF’s engagement across the COP32 Action Agenda, based on regular inputs from relevant teams, and provide related inputs to COP32 Roadmap.

31 Oct 2027

-  1 x 5-page summary and recommendations report to guide UNICEF’s positioning for the COP32-COP33 Presidency transition.

15 Dec 2027 

-  Support UNICEF’s engagement on the Action for Climate Empowerment and Human Development agendas, in collaboration with relevant internal and external teams (10 x meeting agendas, invites  and concise readouts, technical inputs to SB66 and COP32 policy briefs).

15 Dec 2027

-  Support event coordination and liaise with the COP32 host UNICEF office to ensure preparation and delivery of UNICEF activities (8 x internal biweekly meetings, inputs/support to 4 x meetings with external stakeholders, including concept/ briefing notes).

31 Oct 2027 

Qualifications

Education: 

• Master’s degree in international relations,  social sciences, law, environmental science, sustainability, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience delivering results in development and/or climate-relevant sectors

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *: 

• 5 + years’ experience working in multilateral policy processes related to sustainable development and climate change.
• Demonstrated experience preparing briefing materials and presentations for high-level officials.
• Experience working in multicultural and diverse team environments.
• Strong understanding of the UNFCCC process, including the role and functioning of COP Presidencies.
• Strategic thinker able to prioritize and execute tasks while maintaining alignment with overall objectives and timelines.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English; proficiency in additional UN languages is desirable

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.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

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 Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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. 

Remarks:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.