Programme Management Officer (Textiles)

Org. Setting and Reporting 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 overall objective of UNEP's Industry and Economy Division is to support decision makers in government and engage with industry and the finance sector to use strong scientific evidence to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production including circular economy, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making industry and environment policies mutually supportive. The Division promotes the development and adoption of policies, technologies, economic instruments, investment decisions, business practices and other efforts which enables to address the environmental challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation, and pollution while advancing economic and social objectives. See http://www.unep.org UNEP's Textile Unit aims at working with government to support them in developing the policy enabling environment to promote sustainability in the textiles value chain, provide strategic leadership and encourage sector wide collaboration to accelerate a just transition towards a sustainable and circular textile value chain, in line with UNEP's medium-term strategy. The focus of this job is to lead the coordination of all UNEP divisions and regional offices involved in the delivery of the UNEP Textiles Initiative, and ramp up partnerships with external agencies, governments, the private sector and other critical stakeholders under a common vision. This position is located in the Industry and Economy Division under the Textile Unit located at the Paris duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Industry Innovation Branch, the incumbent will be responsible for the following functions: Responsibilities • Strategically plans and coordinates the delivery of the UNEP textile portfolio by engaging with all UNEP Divisions, Regional Offices and Country Offices to facilitate internal cooperation. This also includes managing the Textiles Unit and overseeing and establishing partnerships with strategic organizations and initiatives. • Develops, implements and monitors the impact the UNEP Textile Initiative and related projects, activities; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies challenges in the achievement of the objectives of the Textile Initiative and defines and applies actions required to address them; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions . • Works with governments to support them in developing the policy enabling environment to promote sustainability in the textile value chain. • Oversees private sector engagement across the entire textile value chain to support the Initiative’s implementation by increasing their commitment and impacts. • Leads activities related to resources mobilization towards diversifying the funding base based on a programmatic approach, and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, budget, etc.). • Coordinates textiles related key messages and oversees eventual publications to ensure quality, coherence and integration of information, scientific assessment and recommendations. These will cover a range of science-based topics along the consumption and production aspects of the textiles value chain and will be based on a life cycle approach. • Initiates and coordinates outreach activities, developing new and following existing communication strategies for the UNEP Textile Initiative and promotes collaboration with internal UNEP colleagues, governments, the private sector, academia and NGOs. This includes supporting activities such as training workshops, seminars, etc.; making presentations on assigned topics/activities. • Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc. related to the shift to sustainability and circularity of the textile value chain, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. • Coordinates the preparation of key messages, briefings, and background information to support UNEP’s participation in textiles related events, dialogues and meetings. • Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need. • Performs other duties as required. Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to sustainable consumption and production, circular economy, waste management and environmental impacts of the textiles value chain. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations: takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. VISION: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental engineering, environmental management, or industrial engineering. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable. Job - Specific Qualification Not available. Work Experience A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management in the domain of sustainable consumption and production and circular economy is required, of which four (4) years at international level. Experience in working with governments and the private sector in developing countries on issues related to the textile value chain is required. Experience in the management of programs and projects on sustainability and circularity of the textile value chains is required. Experience in mobilizing resources for projects with budgets exceeding USD 2 million is required. Experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder groups to meet a common objective is desirable. Experience in managing a team of more than five (5) people simultaneously is desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details). .headtable { font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border: 1px solid gray; border-radius: 10px; overflow: hidden; } .headTitle { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; /*color: rgb(65, 98, 145);*/ color:black; } .headtable tr td, .headtable tr th { text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; padding: 6px; } .headtable th{ background-color: #F4F4F4; color: #002d62; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; padding: 12px; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; } .headtable td { text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; background-color: white; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; } .headtable th:last-child, .headtable td:last-child { border-right: none; } .headtable tr:last-child td { border-bottom: none; } .rounded-table-wrapper { border-radius: 12px; border: 1px solid #ccc; overflow: hidden; } Required LanguagesLanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIDesirable LanguagesLanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingFrenchUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level II Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. 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