Are you a mid-career professional from a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) or Least Developed Country (LDC)? Do you work in government and want to boost your skills in international climate policy and carbon market mechanisms? The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is now accepting applications for its prestigious CAPACITY Fellowship Programme, offering a €4,500 monthly stipend, valuable global networking opportunities, and training in Article 6 implementation of the Paris Agreement. This fully funded one-year opportunity (extendable to two years) will place three fellows in the Markets and Non-Markets Support and Stakeholders Interaction Subdivision of the Mitigation Division, headquartered in Bonn, Germany. The application deadline is 03 August 2025, so don’t miss out!
🏛️ Background & Job Description
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat plays a central role in coordinating global efforts to combat climate change. In support of the Paris Agreement, Kyoto Protocol, and the UN Climate Convention itself, the UNFCCC secretariat implements a wide range of activities related to climate action and sustainability.
One such initiative is the Capacity Award Programme to Advance Capabilities and Institutional Training in One Year (CAPACITY) Fellowship Programme. It aims to strengthen the skills of mid-career professionals from SIDS and LDCs by developing local expertise that can be applied to implement climate action at national and regional levels.
The 2025 CAPACITY Fellowship intake offers three fellowship placements under the Markets and Non-Markets Support and Stakeholders Interaction Subdivision of the Mitigation Division at the UNFCCC headquarters in Bonn, Germany. Fellows will receive high-level mentoring, gain international exposure, and engage in policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, regulatory development, and capacity building to support Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
2025 UNFCCC CAPACITY Fellowship Opportunity: Climate Change Fellowship Programme in Bonn, Germany (Monthly Stipend of €4,500)

🛠️ Tasks
Fellows will work across three specialized units within the Subdivision: Article 6 Capacity Building, Article 6.2 Review, and Article 6 Regulatory Development. Below is an outline of key responsibilities across these tracks:
🔹 Article 6 Capacity Building
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Support strategic planning and implementation of the Article 6 capacity-building work programme.
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Develop and implement tailored training modules and digital tools to assist governments.
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Cultivate and manage strategic partnerships with institutions such as UNDP, UNEP, the World Bank, and academia.
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Facilitate inter-unit and cross-divisional collaboration for synergistic outcomes.
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Draft and publish communications materials, including reports, articles, newsletters, and social media content.
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Organize and facilitate global and regional stakeholder engagement events.
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Propose and develop e-learning tools, including online courses and digital learning materials.
🔹 Article 6.2 Review
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Assist in technical expert reviews on Article 6 implementation.
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Draft technical reports, maintain expert training materials, and update the Article 6.2 Reference Manual.
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Develop and manage training programs for technical experts and stakeholders.
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Coordinate the publication and communication of review outputs.
🔹 Article 6 Regulatory Development
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Draft, revise, and standardize regulatory documents to operationalize the Article 6.4 Mechanism.
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Ensure alignment between the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Article 6 frameworks.
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Oversee document classification, hierarchy, and versioning.
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Support technical enforcement of adopted regulations and guidelines.
🔹 Carbon Pricing & Stakeholder Engagement
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Conduct high-level policy research and analysis related to carbon markets and non-market mechanisms.
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Design engagement strategies for policy makers, NGOs, and private-sector stakeholders.
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Draft technical papers and policy documents to guide implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
🎓 Qualifications
Education and Certification
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A Master’s degree in international relations, environmental science, climate policy, economics, engineering, development studies, or a related field is required.
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Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree with an additional two years of relevant work experience may be accepted.
Experience
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At least three years of research or professional experience in climate change, sustainability, environmental policy, or related sectors.
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Strong written and analytical skills demonstrated through reports, academic work, or project deliverables.
ℹ️ Additional Information
🌐 Language Requirements
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Mandatory: Fluency in spoken and written English.
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Desirable: Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).
🌍 Eligibility
Applicants must:
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Be employed in a governmental organization (including research institutes, universities, or ministries).
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Be a national of a country classified as a SIDS or LDC. Full list of eligible countries can be found here for LDCs and here for SIDS.
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Be under 40 years of age at the time of application.
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Commit to returning to their home institution for at least six months post-fellowship.
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Have their employer’s written commitment to integrate new knowledge into national climate strategies (to be submitted later).
💼 What You’ll Gain
Upon successful completion, fellows will:
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Build a global professional network within the climate diplomacy space.
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Gain expertise in carbon markets, climate negotiations, Article 6 mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks.
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Improve practical skills in project development, policy implementation, and international stakeholder engagement.
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Become proficient in digital tools and e-learning platforms for capacity building.
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Enhance long-term employability in the UN system and other international organizations.
💰 Financial Benefits
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Monthly stipend of EUR 4,500.
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Travel expenses to and from Bonn are covered.
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Access to in-house training and mentoring programs.
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Participation in UNFCCC conferences and stakeholder meetings.
📅 Timeline
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📆 Application Deadline: 03 August 2025
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📍 Location: Bonn, Germany
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📜 Contract Duration: One year, extendable by another year (maximum 2 years)
🔗 How to Apply
Interested and eligible candidates must apply via the UNFCCC online application portal:
👉 UNFCCC Recruitment Portal
Please note:
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Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
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This opportunity is not open to students or individuals seeking degree program support (e.g., PhD fieldwork).
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Do not submit employer permissions or certifications at this stage of the application.
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