UNICEF UNV Youth on the Move Programme

The UNICEF UNV Youth on the Move Programme builds on the success of the Youth on the Move Fellowship Pilot Programme, which was implemented by UNICEF in partnership with the Migration Youth and Children Platform. Under this pilot, 23 young people from refugee and displaced backgrounds from different nationalities worked with UNICEF country offices and teams worldwide between October 2022 and June 2024. 

Hear from participants, mentors and supervisors about the pilot by clicking on the YouTube video below:

What are the eligibility criteria for the UNICEF UNV Youth on the Move Programme?

• Age limit between 20 to 32 years
• Refugees, asylum seekers, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and migrants
• Young people who face barriers in accessing learning-to-earning pathways due to their migration or displacement experience 
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
• We encourage candidates unable to upload a passport copy in the system to upload other forms of documentation issued by a government entity, UN agency (such as UNHCR refugee and asylum seeker certificates and documents), or officially registered civil society organization with a legal status. Identity documents can include national ID, proof of asylum seeker, refugee, IDP or migrant status, health or camp registration cards. 
• The Programme intends to create opportunities for young people on the move facing learning barriers and challenges to earn their living, therefore, we are not looking for candidates with a university degree or currently enrolled in university. 

How to apply?

Check UNV's Unified Volunteer Platform or see the advertised positions listed below from Cambodia, Côte d'Ivoire, Czechia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Kenya, Mozambique, Poland, Somalia, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam. (Watch this space for latest updates)

Disability Inclusion and Youth Participation Assistant (Cambodia)

Emergency/Resilience Coordination Associate (Côte d’Ivoire)

VNU Assistant en communication pour le changement social et comportemental (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Climate, Education and Youth Participation Assistant (Iraq)

Data Resilience and Emergency Digital Platforms Assistant (Kenya)

Education and Young People Assistant (Kenya)

Education and Young People Assistant (Kenya)

Community Facilitator (Mozambique)

Adolescent and Partnership Development Assistant (Poland)

Child Protection Associate (Somalia)

Social Policy Associate (2 positions in Tanzania)

Humanitarian Information Management Assistant (Thailand)

Children on the Move Programme Assistant (Trinidad and Tobago)

Adolescent and Partnership Development Assistant (Viet Nam)

Application resources are available in UVP's Explore section here. Click on resources for guidance on how to register your profile. 

Nomination Process: 
Civil Society Organizations, Non-governmental Organizations, Youth organizations, and other partners are invited to nominate candidates for the UNICEF UNV Youth on the Move Programme through an online form. Read the Nomination Process and understand the nomination steps through this Information Pack. Draw on the Dissemination Pack to help us spread the word about the UNICEF UNV Youth on the Move Programme and invite eligible organizations to nominate candidates.

The vision behind the UNICEF UNV Youth on the Move Programme—Break the glass ceiling for youth on the move:
Talent is universal—but opportunity is not, especially for refugee, displaced or migrant youth. For many youth on the move with talent, passion and potential, internships and entry-level posts offered by UNICEF and other organizations are not within reach. Their talent and potential remain undiscovered because of the circumstances they were born into, their migratory journeys or other legal, administrative, or financial barriers. In essence, it does not offer a level playing field. The UNICEF UNV Youth on the Move Programme is a step to counter this challenge and reduce inequalities.