Environmental Strategy Advisor (Menstrual Health Markets)

Job Highlight

The Environmental Strategy Advisor will work closely with the Menstrual Health SHF team to develop its position on circularity, climate and environmental impacts of menstrual products value chain, shaping SHF’s strategic approach to environmentally sustainable menstrual health markets in low and middle income countries, translating evidence into practice guidance for governments, private sector and development partners

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

About the Group

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

Job Specific Context

The Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF) is a global fund dedicated to achieving adequate and equitable access to sanitation, hygiene and menstrual health for all, with particular attention to women and girls and people in vulnerable situations. Through its Capital M initiative, SHF strengthens menstrual health (MH) markets by promoting sustainable, market-based solutions that expand access to safe, quality and affordable menstrual products across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). SHF works with governments, the private sector, investors, financiers and other stakeholders to improve the enabling environment, strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and facilitate access to finance.

With the menstrual health market in Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) at a critical growth inflection point, the decisions made now on menstrual product standards, supply chains, business models, product innovation, and policy and regulation will influence environmental outcomes for decades. SHF, as a key stakeholder in menstrual health market development, has a unique opportunity to help shape this environmental trajectory by providing the sector and market actors with relevant, actionable guidance. To do so effectively, SHF is seeking to establish an official position and an operational framework to support market actors to evaluate and implement systems-level pathways to more sustainable menstrual health markets.

SHF has gathered foundational information on the Circularity, Climate, and Environmental (CCE) impact of the menstrual products value chains (covering both single-use and reusable products) and identified potential entry points for market-based interventions. Opportunities and potential actions to remove or limit this impact have been identified, as well as a list of potential actions that SHF could implement along the value chain to unlock them.

To build on this foundation, SHF seeks to develop a prioritized strategic framework and practical guidelines that translate these insights into actionable programs. The scope of work includes identifying key action-research questions and leveraging secondary data collection to fill critical knowledge gaps. In particular, this overview will be complemented with a granular, quantified analysis of product-specific impacts. The objective is to define a clear hierarchy of environmental issues and map out the highest-leverage intervention points for SHF’s engagements with national governments, sector organizations and the private sector.

This work will also develop a structured framework of policy and market entry pathways to support SHF in advising LMIC governments on how to integrate environmental considerations into menstrual health market development. This will include identifying relevant entry points across trade, industry, manufacturing, environment, investment, standards, procurement and health ministries; recommending the sequencing of policy and market interventions; and identifying priority areas for further research, pilot implementation and evidence generation to support country-level adoption and scale.

Role Purpose

Reporting to the MH Country Markets Specialist and working closely with the wider team, the Environmental Strategy Advisor will oversee the strategic formulation of SHF's position and advisory roadmap on the environmental impacts of menstrual products across their value chains.

The Environmental Strategy Advisor will provide the strategic oversight, evidence base and institutional direction required for SHF to define an evidence-informed position on circularity, climate and environmental (CCE) considerations within menstrual health market development. The role exists to identify the critical knowledge gaps and strategic questions that must be addressed, guide the generation and synthesis of evidence needed to answer them, and translate these insights into a coherent strategic position and practical pathways for action.

Through this work, the Environmental Strategy Advisor will enable SHF to strengthen its technical guidance, policy engagement and partnerships, support the integration of environmental sustainability considerations into menstrual health market development, identify priorities for future research and innovation, and establish a forward-looking roadmap to guide SHF's technical assistance and market-shaping efforts in low- and middle-income countries.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The Environmental Strategy Advisor will undertake the following functions:

Market research and analysis

• Review existing internal documentation, SHF work and intelligence in this area, as a starting point for further analysis
• Define key action research areas required for SHF to answer in order to define a practical position and related levers for action on CCE impacts of menstrual products value chains
• Convene and consult a pool of technical experts to gather evidence on the environmental impact of menstrual product value chains
• Analyse and compare data across product types to quantify CCE impacts in absolute terms and relative weight within the value chain
• Map entry points across trade, industry, manufacturing, environment, investment, standards, procurement and health ministries where governments and market actors can intervene
• Consult with governments, industry and market actors to test and refine intervention and policy pathways

Prioritisation and Drafting

• Apply a prioritization matrix to weigh the urgency and scale of each environmental issue against SHF's ability to act on it
• Consult SHF technical team and leadership to validate priority areas for direct action, indirect guidance, or exclusion from SHF's scope
• Draft SHF's official position paper, incorporating feedback from internal review and expert input. This should include where SHF should act directly, indirectly by providing guidelines and recommendations (especially to Governments and the private sector), and which interventions should be left out.
• Identify and outline priority recommendations for future research, policy development and pilot initiatives

Deliverables expected include:

• Inception report and work plan - defining the scope, action-research questions, methodology, expert inputs required, and phased timeline (within 3 weeks of onboarding)
• Consolidated CCE impact analysis report - a quantified assessment of the environmental impact of menstrual products value chains, disaggregated by product type, with issues ranked by scale, impact and relative weight (mid-assignment)
• Structured framework of intervention and policy entry pathways that identifies how governments, industry and market actors can operationalize more sustainable menstrual health markets, including tailored recommendations for trade, industry, environment, health and associated ministries.
• Outline of priority recommendations for further research, policy development and pilot initiatives needed to strengthen SHF’s future advisory and technical assistance work.
• Recommended position concept note regarding the CCE impact of menstrual health products, including a list of actions for direct intervention, sector guidance and advocacy - intended for validation by SHF leadership ahead of external use (end of assignment)

Skills

Data Analysis, Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Policy, Project Coordination, Research Design, Prioritization

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental science, sustainability, environmental policy, natural resources management, or a related field is required.
• A Bachelor's degree in a related discipline in combination with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in environmental analysis, sustainability strategy, or related fields is required.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting action research, literature reviews, and producing evidence-based policy or strategy documents is required.
• Experience in life cycle assessment or equivalent methodologies to evaluate the environmental impact of products or value chains is required.

Desired

• Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder research workstreams or technical expert inputs, is desirable.
• Experience working in the consumer goods, FMCG, or health/hygiene product sector, particularly in relation to environmental or circular economy considerations, is desirable.
• Knowledge of or prior engagement with the menstrual health sector, including products, markets, or supply chains (disposable and/or reusable), particularly in LMICs, is desirable.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequired

Additional Information

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.