Textile Research Associate

Result of Service

The work of the consultant will contribute to the UNEP Textiles Unit by supporting and conducting research tasks that inform the unit across relevant topics.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

12 months (50%)

Duties and Responsibilities

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division works with international governments and non-governmental organizations, national and local governments, business and industry to develop and implement policies, strategies and practices that are cleaner and safer, incorporate environmental costs, use natural resources efficiently, reduce pollution and risks for humans and the environment, and enable the implementation of conventions and international agreements. The Textiles Unit, part of the Division’s Industry Innovation Branch, implements the UNEP Textile Initiative, which provides strategic leadership and encourages sector-wide collaboration to accelerate a just transition towards a sustainable and circular textile value chain. UNEP’s work includes supporting and informing governments, such as through its Global Textile Policy Dialogues, assisting industry, particularly SMEs in developing countries, in shifting towards circular business models, scaling the use of industry standards for circularity, eliminating hazardous chemicals, while adopting a life cycle approach and addressing overproduction and overconsumption to redefine the fashion industry’s economic model. Underpinning all of this is support for evidence-based decision making through its thought leadership reports. The focus of the consultancy is to act as UNEP’s Textile Research Associate. Specific tasks and responsibilities •Supporting the implementation of a private sector convening on the topic of overproduction and overconsumption with strategic partners, including research, setting up meetings, drafting agendas, presentations and meeting minutes  •Supporting the Global Textile Policy Dialogues, including regular meetings and ad hoc events (such as at international conferences) and private sector engagement. This includes setting up meetings, drafting agendas, presentations and meeting minutes, identifying and inviting speakers, and others.  •Conducting research to inform the UNEP textile work across topics •Coordinating curation and sending of the UNEP Textile Initiative monthly newsletter  •Making presentations on assigned topics/activities, including where relevant in webinars, workshops, roundtables and conferences  •Providing substantive support, technical inputs, and reviews of documents, reports and project proposals  •Onboarding, training and managing UNEP Textile Initiative interns  •Supporting monitoring and reporting of relevant projects, including in UNEP’s internal reporting portal •Supporting other tasks of the textiles unit as required 12 months part time (50%)

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree in international relations or environmental policy with a focus on sustainable fashion and textiles. •A minimum of 2 or more years of experience in sustainability or a related role in the fashion/ textile sector is required. •Excellent writing and communication skills, including to convey technical information in simple and engaging language to a wide audience are required. •Experience in curating newsletters is required. •Experience in engaging with textile companies on sustainability is an asset. •Experience in research or work on the topic of overproduction and overconsumption in textiles is an asset. •Prior experience in international environment, including engaging with developing country actors, is an asset. •Experience with the UN, preferably with UNEP, is an asset. •A strong private sector network in the textile sector is an asset.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.