UNFCCC Policy Consultant at UNICEF | Remote Global Role | $70,000-$90,000 Contract | Apply by October 21, 2025. We are advertising a UNFCCC Policy Consultant position with UNICEF, offering a remote global contract valued at $70,000-$90,000. This 25-month role focuses on advancing child rights in climate policy through UNFCCC processes and COP engagements. Applications close October 21, 2025.
Background & Job Description
We are sharing a specialized climate policy consultancy opportunity with UNICEF’s Programme Group, specifically within the Center of Excellence (CoE) for Climate Resilience for Children. UNICEF, as the world’s leading children’s rights organization, has been working for over 70 years across 190 countries to protect children’s rights and ensure their healthy development. Climate change represents one of the most significant threats to children’s well-being in the 21st century, particularly affecting the most vulnerable populations.
The UNFCCC Policy Consultant position is a strategic role designed to advance child-responsive climate policy, action, and finance within international climate processes. This consultancy supports UNICEF’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP) 2023-2030, focusing specifically on embedding children’s rights across Paris Agreement instruments and UNFCCC guidance. The consultant will play a crucial role in ensuring that climate policies at the highest international levels consider and prioritize the unique vulnerabilities and needs of children.
This is a fully remote position with a 25-month duration, spanning critical climate negotiation periods including COP31 and COP32. The consultant will work closely with UNICEF’s global climate team, supporting engagement with current and incoming COP Presidencies, monitoring key negotiation workstreams, and advancing child rights through multilateral diplomacy and policy advocacy.
UNFCCC Policy Consultant at UNICEF | Remote Global Role | $70,000-$90,000 Contract | Apply by October 21, 2025.
Tasks and Key Responsibilities
The UNFCCC Policy Consultant will undertake comprehensive policy analysis and coordination with the following key responsibilities:
- UNFCCC Negotiations Support: Develop and regularly update detailed UNICEF negotiations engagement plans, including identification of targeted Parties, development of key messages, and planning of priority interventions. Support delivery of UNICEF-led initiatives during key climate events through preparation of high-quality briefing notes, agendas, concept notes, and post-event reports that advance child-focused climate policy.
- Strategic Coordination and Internal Alignment: Organize and facilitate climate policy meetings with regional, country, and Centre of Excellence offices to guide coherent engagement across UNICEF’s global operations. Support delivery of Global Climate Policy monthly meetings through preparation of agendas and background documents, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan and strategic priorities.
- COP Presidency Engagement and Transition Management: Facilitate regular meetings between COP Presidencies, UNFCCC leadership, and UNICEF teams, preparing agendas, materials, and internal readouts. Develop comprehensive mapping of UNICEF’s engagement across COP Action Agendas and provide strategic recommendations to guide UNICEF’s positioning through Presidency transitions from COP31 to COP33.
- Group of Friends for Children and Climate Action: Conduct regular analyses of Group of Friends and Action Agenda developments following UNFCCC subsidiary body sessions and COPs, providing actionable recommendations for UNICEF’s engagement. Prepare and coordinate online webinars and briefings for governments to present evidence, data, and policy messages on children and climate change.
- Policy Analysis and Briefing Material Development: Provide substantive inputs to briefing packs for senior leadership and technical teams on UNFCCC policy engagement, ensuring accurate and timely information for high-level advocacy. Support UNICEF’s engagement on Action for Climate Empowerment and Human Development agendas through technical inputs to policy briefs and coordination with internal and external teams.
Qualifications
Education and Certification
- Essential Requirement: Master’s degree in International Relations, Social Sciences, Law, Environmental Science, Sustainability, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.
- Professional Certification: While not mandatory, additional certifications in climate policy, environmental law, or UN system operations would strengthen an application.
- Specialized Training: Demonstrated knowledge through coursework or professional training in multilateral environmental agreements, climate diplomacy, or sustainable development policy.
Experience
- Multilateral Process Experience: Minimum of five years of professional experience working in multilateral policy processes related to sustainable development and climate change, with demonstrated understanding of UNFCCC procedures and negotiation dynamics.
- Policy Development Track Record: At least six years of overall experience delivering results in development and/or climate-relevant sectors, with proven ability to influence policy outcomes through strategic engagement and advocacy.
- High-Level Briefing Experience: Demonstrated experience preparing briefing materials and presentations for high-level officials, with ability to synthesize complex information into accessible formats for decision-makers.
- International Team Collaboration: Significant experience working in multicultural and diverse team environments, with proven ability to collaborate effectively across geographical and institutional boundaries.
Additional Information
Contract Details:
- Position: UNFCCC Policy Consultant
- Contract Type: Individual Consultancy
- Duration: 25 months (December 1, 2025 – December 31, 2027)
- Location: Fully remote, global
- Contract Value: Estimated $70,000-$90,000 total based on deliverable completion and consultant experience
- Application Deadline: October 21, 2025 (Eastern Daylight Time)
Deliverables and Timeline:
- Year 1 Focus (2026): Support for SB64 and COP31, including development of negotiation engagement plans, coordination of 10+ high-level meetings, and preparation of 15+ briefing materials
- Year 2 Focus (2027): Support for SB66 and COP32, including presidency transition analysis, Action Agenda mapping, and continued policy coordination across 20+ deliverables
- Payment Structure: Payments made upon satisfactory completion of agreed deliverables, with UNICEF reserving right to withhold payment for substandard work
Application Requirements:
- Submission Platform: Complete profile in UNICEF’s e-Recruitment system with uploaded academic credentials
- Financial Proposal: Detailed financial proposal including costs per deliverable, total lump-sum amount, and any estimated additional costs
- Language Proficiency: Fluency in English required; proficiency in additional UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is desirable
- Insurance: Proof of current health insurance coverage required prior to contract award
Professional Context:
- Strategic Importance: Role supports UNICEF’s critical work on climate change and children’s rights during pivotal climate negotiation periods
- Funding Note: Certain deliverables contingent on additional resource mobilization beyond current funding availability
- Ethical Standards: Adherence to UNICEF’s core values and zero-tolerance policies on exploitation, abuse, and discrimination is mandatory
- Tax Responsibility: Consultant is solely responsible for determining and paying any tax liabilities according to applicable laws
Selection Process:
- Competitive Review: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment
- Evaluation Criteria: Selection based on technical qualifications, relevant experience, financial proposal, and alignment with UNICEF’s values and competency framework
- Background Verification: Successful candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including academic credential confirmation
Suggested Top Keywords:
UNFCCC policy consultant, UNICEF climate policy, remote UN consultancy, climate negotiations consultant, COP31 engagement, child rights climate policy, UNFCCC process expert, remote policy advisor, $90,000 consultancy, October 21 2025 deadline, multilateral environmental agreements, climate diplomacy career, UNICEF Sustainability Action Plan, global remote work, international climate policy.
One Response