Work Location

home based

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The Resources and Markets Branch, located in UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division, leads work on resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production (SCP) – delivering scientific, credible, innovative solutions to make sustainability central in government policy frameworks, business direction-making and in peoples’ lives. Science is the basis of the Branch’s work, applying system approaches, complemented by methods such as life cycle analysis, urban metabolism, participatory action research and integrated analysis. Interventions target improving value chains, procurement processes, and use education and leisure activities like tourism as agents of change. Within the Branch, the Consumption and Production Unit promotes Resource Efficiency and Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP), including in high-impact sectors. Textiles (and fashion) is one such high-impact sector, and the UNEP Textiles Initiative aims to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and circular textile value chain through global knowledge and tools and in-country support. This includes for instance publications and guidance, such as UNEP’s Textile Roadmap report and the Sustainable Fashion Communication Playbook, as well as in country projects, for instance on the trade of used textiles and their impacts. This internship will focus on supporting UNEP’s work on sustainable textiles and fashion under the UNEP Textiles Initiative. The intern will be part of UNEP’s Consumption and Production Unit. While the Unit is located in Paris, this is a completely remote position, during which the intern will be home-based; working from the Paris office will therefore not be a possibility. Remote working across different countries is a long-standing practice in the textiles team, and internship applicants from all regions are encouraged to apply. Working from time zones different to the Paris time zone will be possible. The internship is unpaid and is for a duration of 6 months. Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background and learning objectives, as well as the team’s priorities during the internship period. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the direction of the supervisor (in this case the Textiles Programme Manager) and in cooperation with other staff in UNEP. Under the direct supervision of the Textiles Programme Manager; the intern will: • Assist in implementing the UNEP Textiles Initiative, including conducting research, strategic analysis, and developing presentations for international events. • Assist in promoting the UNEP textile reports through the preparation of trainings and workshops for various stakeholders. • Help update the UNEP textile/fashion communication website, knowledge management database and general UNEP textile value chain website, and support developing the monthly newsletter for UNEP’s textile community. • Support outreach activities, such as promotion of the UNEP sustainable communication playbook, and the drafting of attractive case studies. • Provide research, review and data compilation support for various textiles/fashion related projects.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PH.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. Preferred area of study: A degree programme in fashion, environmental studies, communications, media studies, international relations or journalism and other social sciences, as well as in the areas of information and knowledge management, or related field. No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship. Good research skills and ability to compile complex data (e.g. comparison of textile activity between regions, analysis of gender indigenous rights and fashion, new textiles policies). Interest in communication and textile activities, with the ability to produce and design basic infographics, and proficiency in using Excel, PPT, and MailChimp or Canva (or a willingness to develop design skills).

Languages

Excellent writing and communication skills in English are required. The following language skills would be an asset: French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Arabic.

Additional Information

Not available.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

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.