Overview
Announcement for Consultancy (Consultant)
Implementation of the Youth4Capacity Programme
Capacity-building Subdivision,
Means of Implementation Division
Deadline Announcement Expected date Duration of Duty Station
for application number for entry on duty appointment
15 July 2026 26/CON08/MoI As soon as possible Until 31 December Remotely
2026 for 130.5 days
23:59 hrs CET
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the focus of the political process
to address climate change. The UNFCCC secretariat supports the Convention, its Kyoto Protocol and the Paris
Agreement through a range of activities, including substantive and organizational support to meetings of the
Parties and the implementation of commitments. It is a dynamic organization working in a politically challenging
environment to help resolve one of the defining environmental issues of our time.
The Capacity-building sub-division supports intergovernmental work and negotiations on capacity-building under
the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, as well as activities that strengthen the capacities
of stakeholders to accelerate climate action and implementation. This includes any tasks or mandates emanating
from COP 25 pertaining to enhanced institutional arrangements for capacity-building under the Convention and
the adoption of the initial institutional arrangements for capacity-building to implement Article 11 of the Paris
Agreement and fostering collaboration among governments, organizations and other stakeholders through
various capacity-building initiatives and partnerships.
The importance of strengthening the engagement of youth in activities pertaining to the implementation of the
Convention and the Paris Agreement is widely recognized. At the same time, there are capacity needs and gaps
to be addressed for youth to effectively engage in climate action. The Glasgow work programme on Action for
Climate Empowerment (ACE) recognizes young people as important agents of change in addressing climate
change and advancing sustainable development.
In June 2022, the UNFCCC and the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) signed a MoU
to support the implementation of the Youth4Capacity programme, which seeks to support concrete activities
aimed at strengthening the capacities of young people, particularly in developing countries and vulnerable
contexts, and promote the active exchange of experiences and lessons learned. The programme is implemented
within the framework of the Youth4Climate initiative, developed by the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) and MASE.
Through various channels and partnerships, Youth4Capacity delivers learning opportunities, capacity-building
activities, knowledge products, and engagement spaces. These include e-learning courses, flagship events at
international and regional levels, the “Becoming…” webinar series, communication products, and the Climate
Catalysts mentorship programme, supporting young people to build the skills, knowledge, and networks needed
to engage in climate action and policy processes at all levels, and contributing to the implementation of the
Convention and the Paris Agreement. It has also mobilised a global youth community of nearly 10,000 young
people, fostering peer-to-peer learning and sustained engagement in climate action.
Purpose
The purpose of this consultancy assignment is to support the strategic planning, coordination and implementation
of the Youth4Capacity programme, aimed at strengthening the capacities of young people to effectively engage
in climate action and climate policy processes. Specifically, the consultant will:
Lead the implementation and strategic development of the Youth4Capacity programme and its flagship initiatives.
Coordinate programme governance and collaboration with key partners, including MASE, the UNDP Rome
Centre and other relevant stakeholders.
Strengthen partnerships and foster synergies between Youth4Capacity and relevant youth engagement and
capacity-building activities within and beyond the UNFCCC secretariat.
Support programme communications, outreach, knowledge management and stakeholder engagement activities.
Monitor and report on programme results, contribute to programme learning and continuous improvement, and
support programme reporting requirements related to the implementation of the Youth4Capacity programme.
Support resource mobilization, strategic planning and programme development.
The incumbent consultant works under the supervision of the Team Leader on Capacity-building subprogramme.
He or she works closely with the Capacity-building team.
Tasks
With respect to the above-mentioned objectives, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:
1. Programme delivery: Lead the planning, coordination and implementation of Youth4Capacity activities,
including learning programmes, technical bootcamps, e-learning opportunities, engagement activities,
knowledge products and learning resources.
2. Flagship initiatives: Coordinate the development and delivery of the Climate Catalysts Mentorship
Programme (CCMP) and other Youth4Capacity flagship initiatives, including engagement with
participants, mentors, facilitators and partner organizations.
3. Programme governance and coordination: Maintain effective coordination and collaboration between
the UNFCCC Secretariat, the UNDP Rome Centre, MASE and other relevant partners to ensure
alignment of activities, facilitate information exchange and support the effective implementation of the
Youth4Capacity programme. This includes supporting the coordination of the Joint Committee and
related programme governance processes.
4. Partnership development: Establish and maintain partnerships with youth organizations, academic
institutions, UN entities, civil society organizations, private sector actors and other relevant stakeholders
to support the design, delivery and expansion of Youth4Capacity activities.
5. Secretariat integration: Collaborate with the ACE team and other relevant divisions, programmes and
constituted body support teams across the UNFCCC secretariat to identify opportunities for collaboration
and synergies between Youth4Capacity and relevant youth engagement and capacity-building activities,
initiatives and processes under the Convention and the Paris Agreement.
6. Communications and outreach: Coordinate communications and outreach activities related to the
Youth4Capacity programme, including the preparation of communication products, maintenance of
relevant webpages, newsletters and social media content, and monitoring of programme visibility and
reach.
7. Knowledge management and programme learning: Support the documentation, dissemination and
exchange of knowledge generated through Youth4Capacity activities, including lessons learned, good
practices, participant insights and programme results.
8. Programme development and continuous improvement: Identify emerging youth capacity-building
needs, gaps and opportunities, facilitate peer learning and stakeholder exchange, and contribute to the
continuous improvement and ongoing development of the Youth4Capacity programme.
9. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting: Monitor, evaluate and report on programme activities and
results, including the development and implementation of the Youth4Capacity monitoring and evaluation
framework; tracking participation, partnerships, outputs and outcomes; coordinating annual narrative and
financial reporting requirements; and supporting the preparation of annual programme reports, donor
reporting requirements and programme performance assessments.
10. Resource mobilization and strategic planning: Support resource mobilization, donor engagement and
strategic planning efforts, including identifying funding opportunities, supporting engagement with
existing and prospective partners, and contributing to programme planning and future development
activities.
Outputs
The consultant is expected to contribute to the delivery of the following outputs:
1. Youth4Capacity activities and flagship initiatives successfully delivered;
2. Programme governance, partnerships and stakeholder collaboration effectively maintained;
3. Communications, knowledge products and programme reporting requirements successfully delivered;
4. Resource mobilization and programme development efforts effectively supported.
Output Date Performance indicators
First output: Throughout the • Youth4Capacity activities delivered in accordance with
Implementation of contract period agreed workplans and timelines.
Youth4Capacity
activities and flagship • CCMP and other flagship initiatives successfully
initiatives coordinated and implemented.
• Learning programmes, technical bootcamps, e-learning
opportunities, engagement activities and knowledge
products delivered.
• Participant, mentor, facilitator and partner engagement
effectively coordinated.
Second output: Throughout the • Effective coordination maintained with MASE, the
Programme contract period UNDP Rome Centre and other programme partners.
governance,
partnerships and • Joint Committee meetings and related governance
stakeholder processes supported.
engagement
• Existing partnerships maintained and new partnership
opportunities identified and pursued.
• Collaboration and synergies advanced between
Youth4Capacity and relevant youth engagement and
capacity-building initiatives.
Third output: Throughout the • Communications and outreach activities implemented,
Communications, contract period including webpages, newsletters, social media content
knowledge and communication products.
management,
monitoring, evaluation • Knowledge products, lessons learned and good practices
and reporting documented and disseminated.
• Monitoring and evaluation processes implemented and
programme indicators tracked.
• Narrative, financial and programme reporting
requirements completed in accordance with agreed
timelines.
Fourth output: Throughout the • Funding opportunities and potential partners identified
Resource mobilization contract period and assessed.
and programme
development • Donor engagement and resource mobilization efforts
supported.
• Inputs provided to programme planning, development
and continuous improvement processes.
• Recommendations prepared to inform ongoing
programme implementation and future Youth4Capacity
activities.
Timeframe
Starting mid-August 2026 to 31st December 2026.
The contractor will be working remotely with a couple of missions to Bonn foreseen within the period to support
the delivery of activities.
Requirements
The consultant shall have the following competencies and qualifications:
Academic qualifications
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, climate change,
sustainable development, international relations, public policy, education, communications, social sciences or a
related field. A first-level university degree in combination with additional qualifying experience may be accepted
in lieu of an advanced degree.
Experience
• At least five years of professional experience in climate change, sustainable development, capacity-
building, youth engagement, programme management or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in the design, coordination and implementation of capacity-building, learning
or training programmes.
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, partnership development and multi-stakeholder
collaboration.
• Experience in programme monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
• Experience in communications, knowledge management and outreach is desirable.
• Experience working with youth-focused initiatives and/or within the United Nations system or other
international organizations is desirable.
• Familiarity with climate policy processes and the work of the UNFCCC is desirable.
Skills and competencies
• Strong programme management, organizational and coordination skills.
• Excellent analytical, drafting and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively with diverse stakeholders in an international
environment.
Language requirements
Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an
asset.
How to apply
Candidates, whose qualifications and experience match what we are looking for, should use the on-line
application system available at http://unfccc.int/secretariat/employment/recruitment
Please note
1. UNFCCC is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates,
irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities to
apply.
2. We will confirm receipt of your application. However, only candidates under serious consideration and
contacted for an interview will receive notice of the final outcome of the selection process.