UNICEF Youth Advisors 2026: Join the Technical Advisory Group on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Measurement (TAG-CAMHM)

Applications are now open for the UNICEF Technical Advisory Group on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Measurement (TAG-CAMHM) Youth Advisors 2026. UNICEF is seeking five young people aged 18–24 with lived experience of mental health and a passion for improving child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) data to join its global Technical Advisory Group for a two-year term.

Youth advisors will work alongside leading researchers, practitioners, and technical experts to shape how UNICEF measures, tracks, and uses data on children’s and adolescents’ mental health worldwide. Successful applicants will receive a USD 2,000 stipend over two years, travel support for in-person meetings, and opportunities to co-author technical outputs and participate in global advocacy initiatives.

About the UNICEF TAG-CAMHM Youth Advisor Programme

Mental health conditions are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents globally. However, reliable and youth-informed data on child and adolescent mental health remains limited.

To strengthen global mental health measurement, UNICEF is establishing the Technical Advisory Group on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Measurement (TAG-CAMHM)—an independent body comprising researchers, practitioners, and youth advisors.

As a Youth Advisor, you will serve as a full and equal member of the Technical Advisory Group, bringing your lived experiences and perspectives to influence how mental health data is collected, interpreted, and used.

Key Summary

Why This Matters

Mental health conditions are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents around the world. Yet the data and evidence that should be driving responses, including who is affected, how, and where, remain incomplete, inconsistently collected, and too rarely shaped by the perspectives of young people themselves.

UNICEF is working to change that. UNICEF will convene a Technical Advisory Group on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Measurement (TAG-CAMHM), an independent group of researchers, practitioners, and youth advisors who will help shape how UNICEF measures, tracks, and uses data on children’s and adolescents’ mental health.

We are seeking five young people aged 18 to 24 to join the TAG as youth advisors. Youth advisors are full and equal members of the group. You would be contributing your lived experience and perspectives alongside senior researchers and technical experts, with equal standing in all discussions.

What the Role Involves

A. Advising on CAMH measurement

As a full TAG member, you will:

• Attend and actively participate in TAG meetings twice a year. One meeting will be in person or hybrid and one will be virtual.
• Review documents and provide input on UNICEF’s measurement tools and initiatives, including MMAPP, from the perspective of a young person with lived experience
• Share your views on what data young people need, how it should be collected, and how it should be used
• Contribute thought leadership on youth-focused and youth-led CAMH measurement: what data young people need, how it should be collected, and how it should be used
• Participate in working groups or ad hoc consultations as relevant

B. Data and Research for Decision-Making workstream

Youth advisors will also contribute to a related piece of UNICEF work focused on helping young people and governments use data and research more effectively in mental health decision-making.

This workstream is developing two practical learning experiences: one designed for young people, and one designed for governments and implementing organisations. Both are built around real mental health data scenarios, and a third session brings both groups together to engage with each other around shared evidence.

Your contribution to this work will involve:

• Co-designing the learning experience for young people, including the scenario content, facilitation approach, and associated guidance materials
• Contributing your perspective to the framework that guides how both tools are designed and used
• Providing input into related guidance and toolkit materials as they are developed

C. Youth-identified activities

Beyond these two areas, advisors are encouraged to propose additional contributions based on their own expertise and interests, such as co-authorship of technical papers, participation in advocacy forums, or engagement in related UNICEF initiatives. These are agreed with the Secretariat on an ongoing basis and form part of the overall engagement.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for five young people aged 18 to 24 at the time of recruitment, with lived experience of mental health and demonstrated engagement in CAMH-related work. You do not need to be a researcher or hold a formal academic qualification. What matters is your experience, your perspective, and your commitment to making sure that data and evidence on children’s and adolescents’ mental health reflects and serves the communities most affected.

You may be a strong candidate if you have experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Advocating for better mental health policy, services, or systems at a national or international level
• Participating in or leading community-based or youth-led research or data collection on mental health
• Leading or playing an active role in a youth-led organisation focused on mental health, wellbeing, or children’s rights
• Working to influence mental health policies, systems, or funding
• Using data or research to support mental health advocacy or to inform how programmes are designed

UNICEF strongly encourages applications from young people based in or with substantial experience in the Global South, including Sub-Saharan Africa, South and South-East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Diversity of background, thought, identity, and experience is essential to the work of the TAG.

What UNICEF Offers

Conditions of Appointment

• Youth advisors serve a two-year term, with the possibility of renewal
• All advisors serve in their individual capacity and do not represent any government, organisation, or institution
• Members are required to complete a Declaration of Interests before appointment and to maintain confidentiality regarding TAG discussions
• The working language of the TAG is English
• Stipend payments are linked to active participation. Advisors are expected to engage meaningfully across the full scope of the role.

How to Apply

To express interest in serving as a TAG youth advisor, please submit the following to ITY-CAMH-Data@unicef.org by August 17, using the subject line “Youth Advisor Expression of Interest – TAG Child and Adolescent Mental Health Measurement”:

• A short statement (maximum one page) describing your interest in the role, what you would bring to the TAG, and any relevant experience in CAMH advocacy, research, or evidence use. Write in whatever way feels natural to you. Please include a note of any conflicts of interest relevant to your participation.
• A brief CV/resume or professional profile (maximum two pages), including relevant experience, initiatives you have been involved in, or organisations you are part of

We recognise that not everyone has a traditional CV/resume. If you would prefer to share your experience in a different format, for example a portfolio, a short video, or a written description of your work, please contact us before the deadline to discuss alternatives.

Due to the expected volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. UNICEF may hold conversations with shortlisted candidates as part of the selection process. Selection is at UNICEF’s sole discretion, taking into account lived experience, engagement in CAMH-related work, geographic and identity diversity, and communication skills.

For questions, please write to ITY-CAMH-Data@unicef.org well before the deadline.

SOURCE: UNICEF CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS