UNFCCC – UNU Early Career Climate Fellowship Programme

Job description

OPPORTUNITY: UNFCCC – UNU Early Career Climate Fellowship Programme

LOCATION: Bonn

CLOSING DATE: 31 October 2025 (23:59 CET)

The UNFCCC – UNU Early Career Climate Fellowship Programme offers young people from developing countries a unique opportunity to start their career at the interface between international climate policy development and research. Academically outstanding young graduates from developing countries who are in the early stages of their career are encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to women, amongst whom those from Least Developed Countries will be given the highest priority.

Fellowships will last for one year, with the possibility of an extension of one further year, subject to satisfactory performance. Fellows will be selected based on their skills and backgrounds vis-à-vis the respective purviews and foci of UNU-EHS/VIE and UNFCCC. Upon completion of the UNFCCC – UNU Early Career Climate Fellowship Programme, the Early Career Climate Fellows will be able to work in their home countries or internationally, deploying the valuable experience and insights they have gained in Bonn.

Applications for a fellowship placement will be accepted during the following timeframe:

1 October 2025 - 31 October 2025

A maximum of 12 fellowships will be awarded per call/cohort.

Qualifications

Requirements

Applicants must originate from a developing country and be 32 years or younger at the time of application. In the case of applicants holding dual nationality, in order to be eligible to apply, one nationality must correspond to a least developed country, and the candidate must have lived in the least developed country for a minimum of six (6) years.

In addition, applicants must be enrolled in their final term, or have graduated from an advanced university degree (master’s, doctorate, or equivalent), with top marks in fields relevant to the work of UNU-EHS/VIE and UNFCCC (please refer to https://unu.edu/ehs, https://unu.edu/vie, and https://unfccc.int/ for more information). Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Proven engagement in related extracurricular activities is an asset.

No professional experience is required, but candidates with up to, but not exceeding, two years of relevant professional experience can be considered (this includes experience acquired within the framework of, amongst others, internships, student assistant positions, research assistant positions and similar, be it full-time or part-time). All work experience acquired to date will be considered in reviewing a candidate’s eligibility for the programme.

N.B.: Candidates do not require international work experience in order to be eligible to apply. Furthermore, candidates who have graduated from countries in the Global South are actively encouraged to apply: experience of studying/working in the Global North is not a requirement nor an advantage – selection will be based on merit, not on the geographic location of the awarding degree institution/(former) employer.

Applicants should display an interest in the interface between international climate policy and research. Furthermore, applicants should be highly motivated to work and learn in a multicultural and interdisciplinary environment. Strong written and spoken English skills are essential to participate in the programme. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Applicants should demonstrate they also possess relevant key competences required for this fellowship, in line with the UN Values and Behaviours Framework and the respective placements at both organizations, including:

Values:

Inclusion — take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity

Integrity — act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards

Humility — demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others

Humanity — act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet

Behaviours:

Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN

Analyse and plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action

Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves

Learn and develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others

Adapt and innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

The Application Process

Please note: applications will only be accepted during the aforementioned open call.

A complete application package consists of the following mandatory documents:

1) A cover letter (maximum 1 page in length) setting out how the qualifications, experience and future career goals match the requirements of the programme and preferred working areas at UNU-EHS/VIE and UNFCCC

2) An up-to-date CV (maximum 2 pages in length);

3) A completed and signed UNU Personal History Form (P11); and

4) Copies of all academic transcripts/degree certificates to date saved in one PDF file.

STAGE 1 (Application Submission)

To apply, you will need to:

Complete a UNU P11 form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);

Write a 1-page cover letter setting out how your qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position and indicate your preferred area of work by mentioning the UNU-EHS/VIE Division/Programme (either EMIC, MCII, EVES, GLOMOS, FAST, WISE, PACET, or Communications) and the UNFCCC Division (either Executive, Mitigation, Adaptation, Transparency, Means of Implementation, Legal Affairs, Conference Affairs, Operations Coordination, Communications and Engagement, Administrative Services, or Intergovernmental Support and Collective Progress) where you would like to be placed during your fellowship. Please note that you can only choose one UNU-EHS/VIE and one UNFCCC Division/Programme, which will be considered for your fellowship placement should your application be successful;

Prepare and submit an up-to-date CV (max. 2 pages);

Compile copies of your academic transcripts and degree certificates into a single PDF file;

Apply via Recruitee: respond to the mandatory questions tailored to the position, select your preferred working area at UNFCCC (For details, refer to the thematic foci overview) and UNU-EHS/VIE (For details, refer to the thematic foci overview) from the options indicated, and upload copies of the aforementioned documents.

Please note that applications with incomplete P11 forms, or those not meeting the stipulations mentioned above, will not be considered. Please also note that an uploaded CV will not be accepted as a substitute for a completed P11.

Once the call has closed, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

STAGE 2 (Shortlisting)

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, which will be conducted via Zoom or telephone. The interview will be competency-based.

STAGE 3 (Selection Notification)

All candidates invited to interview will be informed of the outcome of their application. Successful candidates will be offered a fellowship and will be contracted under a UNU Personnel Service Agreement (PSA).

CONTACT:

For more information, please contact: climatefellows@ehs.unu.edu.

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