UNEP Textile Initiative Intern

Remote or office based, Paris

6 months

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 internship will be supporting the UNEP Textile Initiative, implemented by the UNEP Textiles Unit, which is located in UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division. The UNEP Textile Initiative provides strategic leadership and encourages sector-wide collaboration to accelerate a just transition towards a sustainable and circular textile and fashion value chain. UNEP’s work includes supporting and informing governments, such as through its Global Textile Policy Dialogue, 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 purpose of this internship is to provide support to the UNEP Textile Initiative’s work through a range of technical, research, coordination, and communication activities, while offering the intern an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in sustainable textile and in the UN system. The intern will assist in country-level project activities, including learning about life cycle approaches and circularity in textiles, reviewing project deliverables, and supporting project management processes. The intern will have the opportunity to develop skills in research and analysis by exploring key topics such as chemicals in textiles and fashion consumption trends, while also gaining experience in communications and event coordination through contributions to newsletters, campaigns, and the organization of international events. 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 a Programme Manager in the Textiles Unit) and in cooperation with other staff of the division. Please note that financial support for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses is not provided by the United Nations, and interns are responsible for arranging and covering these expenses. The selected candidate can choose whether to work from the UNEP office in Paris or remotely. 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.

A degree programme in fashion or textiles with some focus on sustainability, or a degree programme in international relations, social sciences, business studies, or a related field, with some focus on sustainable textiles. Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: a. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) in communication, media studies, journalism; b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); c. Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation. Be computer literate in standard software applications. Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views. 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.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship fluency in oral and written English is required. The following language skills would be an asset: French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Arabic.

Not available.

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.

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.