Sustainable Textiles Specialist at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Task description

• Under the direction of and reporting to the Textiles Lead Programme Officer, within the Consumption and Production Unit of the Resources and Markets branch of the Industry and Economy Division, the Sustainable Textiles Specialist will undertake the following activities:
• Support implementation of the One UNEP Textile Initiative, including representing the One UNEP Textile Initiative in calls/meetings with UNEP colleagues working or planning to work on textiles, as well as with external organisations, including within the UN, with the textile industry, industry associations, and other organisations.
• Apply UNEP’s eco-innovation methodology in textiles, both with industry (especially SMEs) and governments in developing countries (including for instance Kenya, India, Viet Nam), including providing training modules on the eco-innovation methodology to implementing partners, SMEs, or policymakers, reviewing eco-innovation reports such as policy analyses and SME assessments.
• Identify opportunities for potential collaboration and represent the One UNEP Textile Initiative in in-person meetings with UNEP colleagues based in Nairobi
• Support UNEP’s work across areas including chemicals in textiles, fashion marketing, and textile standards.
• In undertaking these duties, the Sustainable Textiles Specialist will establish and maintain relationships to support collaboration with other UNEP teams working on textiles, as well as technical staff across UNEP and in UN as well as representatives in national governments, international organizations, consultants, and NGOs.
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day).
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publica-tions/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Outputs

• The Sustainable Textiles Specialist will be expected to contribute to One UNEP Textile Initiative indicators, including increasing the number of textile companies and industry standards and initiatives shifting practices and/or norms towards sustainability.
• The Specialist will help stakeholders understand and apply the eco-innovation methodology to their context (e.g., the needs of an SME versus the needs of a national-level policymaker) to enable the implementation of circular business models and the adoption of circular products.
• They will, through their understanding of the textile value chain developed through the application of the eco-innovation methodology, have developed an in-depth understanding of the textile sector, and be able to build and leverage networks in the sector, identifying areas of synergy for potential partnership and collaboration.
• Eligibility criteria; Age,18 - 80
• Nationality; Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

• Required experience
• 3 years of experience in relevant fields of which at least two years of progressively responsible experience in sustainability in textiles.
• Knowledge of chemicals in textile products, fashion communication and marketing, textile standards, or other sectoral work is highly desirable.
• Experience with project management, or concurrent priority management is desirable.
• Candidates must be able to demonstrate they are organized, reliable, and efficient. An understanding of how to work effectively as part of a team, and a willingness to learn and grow professionally by taking on new competencies and remaining abreast of developments in the statistical analytics field is essential. Proven ability to work effectively with a wide range of various actors is also required. As well, UNEP highly values creativity and innovative thinking, coupled with a problem-solving mindset.

Required education level

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in International/Public Affairs, Business Studies, Engineering, Fashion Design, Sustainability. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.