Deadline: February 17, 2025
Applications are open for the United Nations Foundation Next Generation Fellow 2025-2027. The United Nations Foundation’s Next Generation Fellows Initiative, powered by the Our Future Agenda program, equips exceptional young leaders to shape global governance and drive transformative change. It aims to mobilize young voices and intergenerational collaboration to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), advance the 2100 Roadmap, and reimagine the UN’s role in tackling the challenges of the 21st century.
Selected fellows are placed at the forefront of high-impact initiatives, focusing on the SDGs and beyond. The fellowship includes specific outputs that allow fellows to:
- Engage in Global and Regional Processes: Shape policies and priorities in multilateral forums, including the UN and key international frameworks.
- Speak at key moments: Represent youth perspectives at global summits, national Town Halls, and high-profile engagements (for instance at the UN).
- Lead Action Groups: Drive collaborative campaigns through the Engine Room for the Future addressing key global challenges under the five thematic pillars (People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnerships).
- Mobilize and Mentor Young People: Engage with diverse youth networks, fostering leadership and amplifying grassroots voices.
- Meet with UN Foundation Leaders: Participate in high-level strategic discussions and contribute to the organization’s goals.
- Work with the United Nations Foundation: Provide insights to shape United Nations Foundation Our Future Agenda initiatives and more broadly across the Foundation, ensuring they align with young people’s current and future priorities.
Responsibilities
Global Advocacy for Youth Leadership
- Serve as the lead representative for the Next Generation Fellows, ensuring their contributions align with the Next Generation Fellowship and the broad Our Future Agenda program.
- Mentor four part-time thematic Fellows and facilitate collaboration across Action Groups, fostering creativity and strategic alignment in their thematic campaigns.
- Facilitate the planning and execution of youth-driven initiatives and events aligned with key UN milestones such as Beijing+30 and the 2027 SDG Summit.
Engine Room Leadership
- Provide strategic direction to the five thematic Action Groups (People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnerships), ensuring their campaigns contribute effectively to the 2100 Roadmap.
- Represent the Next Generation Fellows and the Engine Room in high-level internal and external meetings, including key UN Foundation engagements.
- Design onboarding materials, training modules, and accountability processes to support the effectiveness of Action Groups.
Capacity Building and Management
- Organize and deliver tailored workshops and training sessions on advocacy, foresight, global governance, and campaign design.
- Provide ongoing capacity-building support to Fellows, changemakers, and champions to maximize their impact.
- Amplify the stories and achievements of Fellows and Action Groups through storytelling and dynamic communication content.
Benefits
- This role is compensated based on UN consultant rates aligned with experience and location.
Eligibility
- Applicant should be aged 18-30 at the start of the fellowship.
- Proven experience in youth advocacy, global governance, and leadership roles.
- Familiarity with UN processes, SDG implementation, and multilateral frameworks.
- Expertise in writing, campaign execution, and policy advocacy.
- Proven management and mentorship capabilities to guide diverse teams.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills for engaging diverse stakeholders.
- Proficiency in using digital tools to engage participants, analyze data, and share impact stories.
- Multilingual proficiency (preferred: one additional UN language besides English).
Application
For more information, visit UN Foundation Next Generation Fellow.
