Become a UNICEF USA Youth Representative 2025-2026(Open to United States residents)

About This Role

UNICEF USA’s Youth Representatives (ages 14-24) are young leaders who advocate for child rights and support UNICEF’s mission in their regional communities. Youth Representatives play a critical role in advancing local child rights action, particularly through the Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) and other municipal partnerships in select cities. Additionally, they activate and engage with the UNICEF Clubs network, contributing to the growth and development of a supportive community for children and youth.

Key Responsibilities

1. Community Building

   • Collaborate closely with a UNICEF USA staff member and other youth representatives to foster community within the UNICEF Clubs.

   • Support the recruitment and retention of clubs through relationship building and regular engagement.

   • Lead sessions during club meetups on topics related to civic learning and advocacy.

2. Content Design & Training

   • Participate in and help promote local training, civic engagement events, and advocacy actions.

   • Contribute to the development of child rights training materials.

   • Receive specialized training from UNICEF professionals in child rights, community building, and grassroots advocacy.

3. CFCI Outreach (For Relevant Cities)

   • If located in a CFCI city, work closely with city partners to address priority areas that impact children, young people, and local stakeholders.

4. Influencing and Relationship Building

   • Represent the voice of youth in media appearances and at local events, advocating for child rights and youth leadership.

Commitment

• Serve a 10-month term from August 1, 2025, to May 29, 2026.

• Youth Representatives interested in serving more than one term may reapply in the following recruitment cycle.

• 8-12 hours of volunteer time per month, primarily during weekday evenings and weekends, with a focus on virtual engagements.

• Availability for monthly meetings, typically held on Wednesdays from 7-8:30 PM EST.

• Set aside 2-3 hours per week for UNICEF USA-related tasks, including check-ins with your relationship manager.

• August onboarding training sessions:

  • Wednesday, August 6 @ 7:30-8:30 PM EST

  • Saturday, August 16 @ 12-4 PM EST

  • Sunday, August 17 @ 12-4 PM EST

  • Tuesday, August 26 @ 7:30-8:30 PM EST

Key Communities of Focus

We are seeking Youth Representatives in the following areas:

• Houston, TX

• Dallas, TX

• Los Angeles, CA

• San Francisco, CA

• Boulder, CO

• Denver, CO

• Decatur, GA

• Jacksonville, FL

• Miami, FL

• New York City, NY

Note: This year, we are not hiring for the Midwest region (Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky).

Benefits

• Develop practical skills in volunteer organizing, civic engagement, communications, and advocacy in a virtual environment.

• Be part of a team driving tangible improvements in child well-being and youth empowerment.

• Build relationships with local influencers and engage with a network of passionate youth advocating for global issues and community development.

• Learn from and collaborate with UNICEF USA national and regional staff.

• Receive opportunities for nominations for special service awards and accrue volunteer hours.

• A $500 stipend will be provided to each Youth Representative.

Qualifications

• Applicants must be between 14-24 years old and reside in the U.S.

• Students studying abroad during the term are not eligible.

• Applicants should live in or near one of the focus cities listed above.

• Must be able to meet the time commitments and expectations outlined.

• Strong interest in community organizing, advocacy, youth-led action, and child rights.

• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a passion for making a positive impact on local communities.

• Ability to learn and utilize virtual tools such as Outlook, Slack, Zoom, and Box.

• Reliable internet access and a device for participating in virtual meetings are required.

Applications must be submitted by March 30th at 11:59pm EST!

Contact Us

If you have any questions or would like further information, feel free to contact us at volunteer@unicefusa.org with the subject line “Youth Representative 25-26.”

Apply and Join UNICEF USA as a Youth Representative and help advocate for the rights of children in your community while gaining valuable experience in civic engagement, youth leadership, and advocacy.