UNICEF Innocenti – the Global Office of Research and Foresight – is seeking a dynamic communications consultant to support youth engagement strategy and foresight advocacy. This remote consultancy offers a unique opportunity to contribute to high-impact, youth-led initiatives that influence global climate policy, corporate sustainability, and intergenerational justice.
This role will strengthen the communication capacities of UNICEF’s Youth Engagement and Strategy (YES) Team, focusing on youth-centered storytelling, outreach, and campaign design that align with UNICEF’s strategic goals and uphold its child rights mandate.
Background and Context
UNICEF Innocenti is in the final year of implementing its 2022–2025 Office Management Plan (OMP), which prioritizes youth as equal partners rather than passive recipients of development outcomes. Recognizing the power of youth activism, Innocenti has committed to creating meaningful partnerships with children and young people, guided by their priorities and lived experiences.
The YES team is central to this commitment. It works to prevent tokenistic involvement of youth and instead fosters authentic collaboration. Through research, training, foresight fellowships, and global networks, the team supports the emergence of young practitioners equipped to identify future risks and opportunities shaping the lives of children and youth.
Key Initiatives and Events
In May 2024, UNICEF Innocenti hosted the Leading Minds Conference on Climate Action, uniting 12 youth fellows and over 50 global experts to rethink climate education. The conference catalyzed the launch of the Climate Education Initiative—rooted in child rights, youth foresight, and holistic learning frameworks such as eco-literacy and indigenous knowledge.
Three interconnected workstreams now define this agenda:
- Leading Minds Fellowship on Climate Education: Supports youth-led models for inclusive, values-driven climate learning.
- Youth x Corporate Sustainability: Pilots youth advisory structures in corporate governance.
- Horizons of Climate Financing: Develops policy proposals to increase the share of climate finance going to youth-led initiatives, addressing the current allocation of less than 1%.
Together, these efforts aim to empower the next generation to lead a just, inclusive, and future-facing climate transition.
Consultancy Role and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Youth Engagement Manager, the selected consultant will take on a pivotal role in amplifying the visibility and impact of youth-led foresight and advocacy. Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the design and rollout of an Advocacy and Communications Strategy for the Youth Foresight Fellowship and related global research initiatives.
- Maintaining a communications calendar and asset repository for Youth and Foresight outputs.
- Supporting the development and implementation of communication plans for youth foresight campaigns in coordination with UNICEF Innocenti and country offices.
- Coordinating communications efforts around youth foresight research launches, workshops, and fellow-led projects.
- Creating compelling digital and print communications materials that showcase youth voices and promote results from both youth-led and Innocenti research.
- Elevating stories from the Climate Education Fellowship, especially in the lead-up to global milestones such as COP30 and the 2026 Leading Minds event.
- Supporting visual storytelling and multimedia content generation for Horizons of Climate Financing and Youth x Corporate Sustainability.
- Collaborating directly with youth fellows and field offices to gather testimonials and visuals that highlight youth-led transformation in climate education and advocacy.
Required Qualifications
- An advanced university degree in Communications, Social Sciences, Journalism, or a related field.
- Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in communications, digital media, or public relations.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated capacity for strategic storytelling.
- Experience with child rights, digital technology, and youth engagement frameworks.
- Knowledge of visual design tools is considered an asset.
- Proven ability to work effectively in diverse, cross-functional, and virtual teams.
- Fluency in English is required; knowledge of another UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic) is an advantage.
- Previous experience with UN agencies or international organizations is highly desirable.
Working Arrangements
This is a remote consultancy contract based out of Florence, Italy. The consultant is expected to work approximately 103 days over the duration of the engagement. The position does not include staff member entitlements such as leave or insurance. The consultant must ensure valid health insurance and visa compliance for the full contract period.
Application Process
Applications are due by 29 July 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Successful applicants will undergo background checks, including academic and professional verifications.
For more information and to apply, visit the UNICEF Careers page.
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