Result of Service
The focus of the consultancy is to act as UNEP’s Textile Research Associate. Under the supervision of the programme officer and working closely with other members of the Textiles Unit, the ICA will have the following 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
Duties and Responsibilities
As the UN's leading environmental entity, UNEP, tackles environmental problems at global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental political consensus, keeping the global environment under review, and informing governments and the international community of emerging issues for their action.
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 unit is looking for a Textile Research Associate. the aim of the consultancy will be to provide comprehensive support to the UNEP Textile Initiative by supporting global policy dialogues, private sector convenings, and monthly newsletter communications.
Qualifications/special skills
Advanced university degree in international relations or environmental policy with some 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.