Applications are now open for the UNFCCC CAPACITY Fellowship Programme (EUR 4500 monthly stipend)

Ednah Carrick June 25, 2025

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Closing Date: 3 August 2025

Applications are now open for the UNFCCC CAPACITY Fellowship Programme (EUR 4500 monthly stipend)

Background

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 historic 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 UNFCCC secretariat is completing a round of the Capacity Award Programme to Advance Capabilities
and Institutional Training in one Year (CAPACITY) UNFCCC Fellowship Programme with the aim of developing capacity of negotiators and therefore increasing the level of implementation of the Paris Agreement. The CAPACITY Fellowship Programme contributes to building capacity for addressing climate change in Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), through the development of local professional expertise by:

a. Supporting innovative analytical work on climate change in the context of sustainable development;
b. Promoting a network of experts who can bring creative and innovative options to bear on questions
of climate change;
c. Encouraging the leadership potential of young and promising professionals in their fields.

The CAPACITY Fellowship Programme target group consists of mid-career professionals who are already in a government’s employment and who are nationals of and working in a SIDS or LDC Party. While UNFCCC Fellowships are awarded to individuals, the need for development/training, as described below, must occur within the context of the organization for which an applicant works. The training must help the organization to develop its capacity.

Where you will be working

This UNFCCC Fellowship position is located in the UNFCCC secretariat in Bonn in the Mitigation division, which supports Parties to facilitate, catalyze and cooperate in the implementation of ambitious climate action in line with global efforts to limit temperature increase to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit this increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Parties are supported in developing, communicating and
effectively implementing ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and LT-LEDS in a
manner that facilitates just transitions and including through the use of collaborative approaches,
mechanisms, framework engagements and economic instruments that broaden mitigation action and
drive sustainable development.

The fellow will work in Markets and Non-Markets Support and Stakeholders Interaction subdivision,
which provides effective support on matters relating to intergovernmental, substantive and technical
support to Article 6.2, 6.4 and 6.8, Carbon Pricing, stakeholders’ interaction, regulations development,
delivering mandates under Article 6.2 (including review) and capacity-building on Article 6

What you will be doing

The fellow will be a valued and fully integrated member of the team and take part in all guiding meetings
and consultations. He/she will receive regular support and guidance from both the direct supervisor and
team colleagues in both planned and ad hoc settings based on her/his needs. The fellow will be supported through flexible and individual guidance and coaching tailored to his/her requirements.
He/she will work in the Markets and Non-Markets Support and Stakeholders Interaction subdivision:
Article 6 Capacity Building Unit, Markets and Non-Markets Support and Stakeholders Interaction
Subdivision, Mitigation Division.

The primary focus will be on supporting the operationalization of the strategy, work programme, and annual work plans for impactful and inclusive capacity building for meaningfully and effectively implementing Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

Other responsibilities encompass:

Contribute to the strategic planning and implementation of the Article 6 Capacity Building work programme. Identify technical solutions and digital tools to deliver tailor-made capacity building solutions to governments and other stakeholders and co-implement these.
Strengthen the identification, development, and management of strategic partnerships and the impactful cooperation and effective coordination with external partners, incl. Governments, Alliances and networks, UN entities (e.g., UNDP, UNEP), regional bodies and -development banks, the World Bank, the private sector, academia, and development agencies.
Facilitate efficient and effective cross-unit and cross-division cooperation for synergetic and coherent results and promote seamless workflows and productive working relations with the Regional Collaboration Centres.
Co-develop high-quality, user-friendly, and targeted capacity building modules, tools, and packages and support their digitization and presentation.
Co-create internal and external communications, such as articles, reports, publication inputs, multi- unit newsletters, and other digital- and multi-stakeholder communication materials. Creatively contribute to the further development and implementation of the communications strategy. Shape timely, user-friendly, and impactful outreach, including through maintaining and updating the website content to ensure it reflects the latest developments and engages the target audience effectively.
Co-organize and co-facilitate global and regional events, both virtually and on the ground, including conference panels, (technical- and high-level-) consultations, multi-stakeholder platforms, expert workshops, and (technical- and high-level-) events related to intergovernmental processes. Provide substantive input and advance coordination, follow-up, and strategic communications.
Proactively suggest innovative and targeted knowledge products and cooperations that are aligned with the mandate of the unit. Identify and analyze activities, products, needs, best practices, and lessons learned from other actors to design, build, and enhance cutting-edge e-learning products, incl. online courses.

Article 6.2 review units: Markets and Non-Markets Support and Stakeholders Interaction
subdivision, Mitigation Division.

Support the review team through the analysis of policy and methodological issues related to Article 6 technical expert reviews.
Supporting the implementation and delivery of Article 6 technical expert reviews.
Maintain the Article 6 technical expert review web pages and other internal and external communication channels.
Ensure Article 6 technical expert review are published timely, including coordination of editing services.
Assist with the implementation and delivery of Article 6 technical expert reviews, including supporting capacity building with internal and external stakeholders.
Assist in updating the Article 6.2 Reference Manual, revising relevant sections related to review.
Support the development and updating of training materials for technical experts who conduct Article 6 technical reviews.
Support the organization and delivery of training sessions for nominated technical experts for assessment and inclusion into the Roster of Experts for Article 6 in coordination with the Article 6 Capacity Building Unit.

What is offered

The fellow will be encouraged to undertake in-house training in the UNFCCC substantive mandate and skills and tasks that are necessary for the effective execution of his or her responsibilities at UNFCCC and that support his or her future career. These may include computer skills, supervisory skills, interviewing skills, team-building training.

Upon completion of the assignment, the fellow will:

Have a broad network with key actors and stakeholders in the climate field at global, regional, and
national levels and be able to successfully collaborate with a vast variety of stakeholders at both technical and diplomatic levels and be well-connected within UNFCCC.
Have acquired expertise in integrated means of implementation, esp. carbon markets, and in key substantive issues under the responsibility of the Division and UNFCCC
Be competent in supporting Parties with needs assessments and implementation;
Have gained experience in project development and -management;
Have knowledge related to the linkages of substantive workstreams under the UNFCCC with relevant sustainable development goals and the related work of other UN organizations;
Have acquired understanding of the functions and operating modalities of the UNFCCC secretariat, including in the context of the meetings of subsidiary and governing bodies of the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
Be well-versed in key competences relevant to all career paths, such as communications, digitalization, partnership building, knowledge management, planning and coordination, and international collaboration.
Have a wide set of multi-disciplinary, transferable skills, such as creativity, innovative thinking, diplomatic-, organizational-, representative- and interactive skills.
Be able to navigate successfully in an international, diverse, and political environment
Have gained high levels of technological awareness and –literacy and broad digital skills. Confidently perform in complex multi-stakeholder initiatives/ intergovernmental processes.
Have expertise in a broad range of work streams in the climate domain, leading to high levels of long-term employability within UNFCCC and in international organizations
Mentoring on the specific substantive aspects of the incumbent’s work will be provided by staff currently working on similar responsibilities.

Qualifications and Requirements

Educational background

Required: Master’s degree in international relations, climate change, environmental, engineering, economics, finance, management, development studies or social sciences, or a related field. A combination of a first-level university degree and an additional two years of relevant work experience may also be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience

Required: At least three years of research and writing experience in climate change, environmental development, or other related fields.

Language skills

Required: Proficiency in written and spoken English.
Desired: Knowledge of another UN official language.

Eligibility

The Fellowship Programme is open to mid-career professionals who are

Currently employed in a governmental organisation (national, regional, provincial or local) including educational institutions, research institutes and ministries.
A national of an eligible LDC and SIDS country as listed in the following links (https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/least-developed-country-category/ldcs-at-a-glance.html and https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/topics/sids/list (UN members only).
Maximum of 40 years of age at the closing date of Fellowship Opportunity notice;