Applications are now open for the fully funded 2025 UN Climate Change Fellowship Programme

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Closing Date: 23 March 2025

Applications are now open for the fully funded 2025 UN Climate Change Fellowship Programme

Are you a mid-career professional from a Small Island Developing State or Least Developed Country passionate about climate action? The UN Climate Change Fellowship Programme offers a unique opportunity to work at the heart of international climate policy while enhancing your expertise. Fellows work in key areas like transparency, adaptation and implementation, gaining specialised skills that help drive climate action in their home countries.

About the UN Climate Change CAPACITY Fellowship Programme

The Capacity Award Programme to Advance Capabilities and Institutional Training in One Year (CAPACITY) Fellowship Programme aims to build local professional expertise and enhance the capacity of Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to address climate change challenges.

This UN Climate Change Fellowship Programme offers mid-career professionals, already employed in government roles in SIDS or LDCs, the opportunity to work and receive training within the UNFCCC Secretariat in Bonn for one year (up to two years). Fellows are selected on an individual basis, with the understanding that the development and training they undergo will be applied within the context of their home organization, ultimately strengthening its capacity to tackle climate change issues.

Key Objectives of the CAPACITY Fellowship Programme:

Support the climate change efforts of developing countries under the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement.
Promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation on climate-related matters.
Strengthen institutional capacity in developing countries, empowering them to engage effectively in global climate action.

Opportunities for CAPACITY Fellows:

Work in a diverse, multicultural and interdisciplinary environment.
Gain a deeper understanding of the UN system and the international climate change governance process.
Develop practical skills in their area of expertise.
Benefit from impactful training and high-quality mentorship.
Contribute to innovative analytical work on global climate challenges.

The CAPACITY Fellowship Programme offers a transformative experience that equips fellows with the tools, skills, and networks to drive meaningful change in their home countries’ climate action efforts.

The selection process

You may be invited for assessment of your technical/professional knowledge. If successful, you will be
invited for the final stage of the selection process, which consists of an interview to assess the skills
and aptitudes required to successfully perform the functions of the post. At a certain point and as part of the selection process, each candidate will be requested to provide the following information:

Obtain permission from their employer for leave of absence for the term of the Fellowship and
provide written certification that s/he will return to the Party’s governmental institution for at
least six months after her/his Fellowship.
Obtain a written letter of intention by their employer that the new knowledge acquired during the fellowship will be integrated in the climate change activities of the government.
Obtain written certification from their employer that the subject of the applied position is relevant to the needs of the organization.
Please note that you should not provide this information at this stage of application.

How to apply

Candidates from SIDS and LDCs, whose qualifications and experience match what UNFCCC is looking for, should use the online application system.

Please note:

This Programme is not intended for students, nor to provide support for an advanced degree, such
as fieldwork for a PhD degree
UNFCCC will confirm receipt of your application. However, only candidates who have been confirmed for an interview will receive notice of the outcome of the selection process.
The monthly stipend including allowances is EUR 4500
The UNFCCC Secretariat will organise the return trip to Bonn