Introduction
Environmental risks are now recognized as one of the greatest threats to children’s survival, health, and development in the 21st century. Air pollution, toxic chemicals, unsafe water, climate-related disasters, and environmental degradation disproportionately affect children, particularly those living in low-income and fragile contexts. At the same time, global policy responses often fail to adequately integrate children’s unique vulnerabilities and rights into environmental decision-making.
As a result, communications and advocacy have become critical tools for driving awareness, influencing policy, mobilizing partners, and ensuring that children’s needs are placed at the center of environmental and climate agendas. Clear, compelling, and evidence-based messaging is essential to translate technical research into action that protects children today and for generations to come.
For 2026, UNICEF is seeking a Remote Communications & Advocacy professional to support its Healthy Environments for Healthy Children (HEHC) initiative within the Climate, Environment, Energy and Disaster Risk Reduction (CEED) Section. This role offers a rare opportunity to work at a global level on child-focused environmental advocacy while benefiting from a fully remote or home-based work arrangement.
This article is published by an independent job and opportunity-curation platform. It is shared strictly for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with UNICEF. The platform does not participate in recruitment, shortlisting, or selection decisions. All applications must be submitted through UNICEF’s official recruitment systems, in line with the vacancy announcement.
For communications professionals, advocates, and policy storytellers seeking to combine global impact, flexibility, and purpose-driven work, this 2026 UNICEF opportunity stands out as one of the most compelling remote roles in the international development sector.
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Background & Job Description
About UNICEF
UNICEF is the United Nations agency mandated to protect and promote the rights of every child. Operating in more than 190 countries and territories, UNICEF works across health, education, nutrition, child protection, water and sanitation, social policy, and humanitarian action to ensure children not only survive but thrive.
In recent years, UNICEF has increasingly emphasized the intersection between children’s rights and environmental sustainability, recognizing that environmental harm undermines progress across all areas of child wellbeing. Climate change, air pollution, water scarcity, and environmental disasters now threaten children’s health, learning outcomes, and future livelihoods at an unprecedented scale.
The CEED Section
The Climate, Environment, Energy and Disaster Risk Reduction (CEED) Section leads UNICEF’s global strategy on climate action and environmental sustainability. CEED supports country offices, regional teams, and partners to integrate child-centered approaches into climate mitigation, adaptation, clean energy transitions, environmental health, and disaster preparedness.
The section works at the nexus of science, policy, programming, and advocacy, ensuring that children’s voices and needs are reflected in global environmental frameworks and national strategies.
Healthy Environments for Healthy Children (HEHC)
The Healthy Environments for Healthy Children initiative is a flagship UNICEF programme that focuses on reducing children’s exposure to environmental hazards. It addresses issues such as:
- Air pollution and respiratory health
- Toxic chemicals and waste exposure
- Unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene
- Climate-related disasters and environmental shocks
HEHC also aims to strengthen children’s participation in environmental decision-making and elevate child-focused evidence in global advocacy spaces.
Role Purpose
The Remote Communications & Advocacy role supports HEHC by shaping narratives, campaigns, and policy messaging that influence decision-makers, partners, donors, media, and the public. The role bridges technical expertise and public engagement, ensuring that complex environmental and health data is translated into clear, compelling, and actionable communications.
This position plays a strategic role in advancing UNICEF’s advocacy objectives at global, regional, and national levels.
Remote Communications & Advocacy Role 2026: Healthy Environments for Healthy Children with UNICEF (CEED Section)
Key Responsibilities
While specific responsibilities may vary depending on programme priorities and advocacy cycles, the role typically includes the following core functions:
Strategic Communications and Advocacy Planning
- Supporting the design and implementation of communications and advocacy strategies aligned with UNICEF’s child-centered environmental priorities
- Contributing to long-term advocacy planning linked to global policy moments and environmental campaigns
- Identifying priority audiences, messages, and channels for maximum impact
Content Development and Storytelling
- Drafting high-quality communications products, including:
- Advocacy briefs and key messages
- Campaign narratives and talking points
- Digital content and social media messaging
- Reports, summaries, and background notes
- Translating technical research and data into accessible language for diverse audiences
- Ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with UNICEF’s tone and brand standards
Campaign and Policy Engagement
- Supporting global advocacy campaigns related to climate change, pollution, and environmental health
- Contributing communications support to international events, policy dialogues, and environmental forums
- Developing materials for use by UNICEF leadership, country offices, and partners
Coordination and Collaboration
- Working closely with UNICEF programme, policy, and communications teams across headquarters, regional offices, and country programmes
- Coordinating inputs from technical experts to ensure messaging reflects evidence and field realities
- Supporting collaboration with external partners, youth networks, and civil society organizations
Monitoring, Learning, and Adaptation
- Tracking reach, engagement, and effectiveness of advocacy communications
- Supporting learning processes to refine messages and strategies
- Incorporating feedback from stakeholders to strengthen future advocacy efforts
Qualifications
Education and Certification
Competitive candidates are typically expected to have:
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Policy, International Development, Environmental Studies, Political Science, or a related field
- Academic or professional focus on climate change, environmental health, or children’s rights
- Training in strategic communications, advocacy, or digital campaigning is an advantage
Professional Experience
Applicants are generally expected to demonstrate:
- Professional experience in communications, advocacy, public affairs, or strategic messaging
- Experience working on environmental, climate, health, or social justice issues
- Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills
- Experience producing content for diverse audiences, including policymakers and the general public
- Familiarity with international development or humanitarian contexts
- Experience working remotely or across multiple time zones is a strong asset
Core Competencies
Successful candidates often demonstrate:
- Ability to simplify complex issues without losing accuracy
- Strong interpersonal and coordination skills
- Cultural sensitivity and adaptability
- Results-oriented mindset
- Commitment to child rights, equity, and inclusion
Why Apply for This Role
This position offers unique professional and personal value.
From a career perspective, it provides high-level exposure to global advocacy, UN policy processes, and international environmental discourse. Experience gained through UNICEF’s CEED Section is highly transferable to senior communications and advocacy roles across the UN system, international NGOs, think tanks, and global campaigns.
From an impact perspective, the role directly contributes to protecting children from environmental harm. Communications produced through this role can influence policies, funding priorities, and public awareness—ultimately shaping outcomes that affect millions of children worldwide.
The remote work arrangement also offers flexibility, allowing professionals to contribute meaningfully to global initiatives without relocation, while maintaining work-life balance.
Application Tips & Insights
Given the competitiveness of UNICEF roles, applicants are encouraged to prepare strong, tailored applications.
Strong applications typically:
- Clearly demonstrate experience linking communications to advocacy outcomes
- Include examples of campaigns, publications, or messaging products
- Show understanding of child-centered environmental challenges
- Reflect alignment with UNICEF’s mission and values
Applicants should avoid generic communications language and instead emphasize how their work has influenced awareness, policy, or behavior.
Additional Information
- Role Type: Consultancy or fixed-term appointment (as specified in the official vacancy)
- Work Arrangement: Fully remote / home-based
- Section: Climate, Environment, Energy and Disaster Risk Reduction (CEED)
- Focus Area: Healthy Environments for Healthy Children
- Duration: As outlined in the official vacancy announcement
- Compensation: Competitive and aligned with UN consultancy or staff frameworks
UNICEF is an equal opportunity organization and encourages applications from qualified professionals of all backgrounds.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should:
- Access UNICEF’s official careers system
- Search for the Remote Communications & Advocacy – Healthy Environments for Healthy Children role
- Review eligibility criteria and required competencies carefully
- Prepare required documents (CV, cover letter, writing samples if requested)
- Submit the application before the stated deadline
Applicants should rely only on official UNICEF recruitment platforms and avoid recruitment fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this role fully remote?
Yes. The role is designed as a remote or home-based position.
Is prior UN experience required?
No. Relevant communications and advocacy experience is the primary requirement.
Who is the ideal candidate?
A communications or advocacy professional with strong writing skills and a passion for child rights and environmental issues.
Does this role involve policy engagement?
Yes. The role supports advocacy and policy influence at global and regional levels.
Can this role lead to future UNICEF opportunities?
While not guaranteed, experience in this role significantly strengthens future applications within UNICEF and the wider UN system.
Suggested Focus Keywords
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