About United Nations University
The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.
For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU’s work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals’ full breadth, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu
United Nations University Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES)
UNU-FLORES is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-FLORES develops strategies to resolve pressing issues in the sustainable use and integrated management of environmental resources such as water, soil, waste, energy, and other geo-resources that are of concern to the United Nations and its Member States – particularly in developing and emerging economies. Based in Dresden, Germany, the Institute engages in research, capacity development, postgraduate teaching, advanced training, and knowledge dissemination to advance the Resource Nexus. For more information, please visit https://flores.unu.edu/
Textile Expert Roster at UNU-FLORES
UNU-FLORES is seeking highly motivated and committed local and international experts with relevant experience in the Resource Nexus field in the textile industry context. We invite experts who wish to apply to our Roster to support the research, advocacy, capacity, and training development work of UNU-FLORES.
Successful candidates will work within the ” Chair for Sustainability and Textile Innovation – Phase 2″ project, which focuses on the ecological, economic, and social assessment of sustainability in the context of the textile and garment industry in Bangladesh, a significant industry of the country but also poses numerous social and environmental challenges.
The key objectives of the project are to:
- Improve the qualifications of specialists and executive personnel in the areas of social responsibility, environmental protection, and innovation in the textile and clothing industry
- Contribute to improving the working conditions of workers in Bangladesh’s production plants and to improving sustainable development of the textile sector
Experts applying to the Roster are available for consideration whenever relevant opportunities arise and shall go through an expedited contractual process. Experts applying for the Roster are also invited to actively apply for other vacancies on our website. The following descriptions are a generic list of tasks and responsibilities.
Under the authority of the Director of UNU-FLORES and the supervision of the Project Manager and in close collaboration with the academic team at the Institute, depending on the nature of the assigned task and the expertise of the candidate, the scope of work may include the following: 1. Conduct research activities in the field of the Resource Nexus within the textile industry in collaboration with junior and senior researchers;
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- Identify and contribute to emerging issues in the field of the Resource Nexus as it relates to the textile industry and interlinked and interdependent resources that are of interest to the United Nations, member states, and policymakers, and subsequently articulate policies, strategies, and approaches to address them;
- Manage activities related to budget funding and fundraising (project development and submissions, progress reports, financial statements) and preparation of related documents and reports;
- Publish research outcomes in peer-reviewed journal articles, books, reports, and policy briefs and actively represent the Institute by presenting papers when appropriate;
- Disseminate complex information in a manner that ensures the understanding of colleagues, using workshops, teaching moments, and individual coaching;
- Author, co-author, and contribute to the UN- and UNU-wide network and reports that are relevant to the Resource Nexus within the textile industry;
2. Institutional Development
- Scrutinise and critique research, proposals, and grant applications;
- Advise the Director of UNU-FLORES and the management team in Institute-wide strategic direction and initiatives;
- Contribute to the management and use of Resource Nexus Data at the Institute, including new and existing data, tools and methods;
- Contribute and participate in the ongoing work of UNU-FLORES, such as lecture series and institutional meetings;
3. Capacity Development
- Support and coordinate the curriculum development from a content or communication perspective (e.g., training, didactic concept, course design, e-learning) and, if relevant, support and maintain the project’s advocacy concept and communication strategy
- Contribute to teaching modules for joint postgraduate programmes of the Institute e.g., with Technische Universität Dresden and potentially support the supervision of researchers, PhD students, Master thesis students, and interns in the covered areas;
- Conduct policy analysis and advise on capacity development and governance issues relevant to the textile industry.
4. Communications and Advocacy
- Contribute to the communications, outreach and advocacy efforts of UNU-FLORES
- Create innovative and dynamic capacity development activities to advance the UNU-FLORES capacity development endeavours;
- Support Communications and Advocacy activities such as highlighting key messages and identifying suitable strategies to package and deliver these messages to promote the outcome and activities of UNU-FLORES.
5. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor and the Director
UNU-FLORES may select candidates from the Roster once a suitable opportunity is available. At this point, a detailed and specific description of tasks and duties shall be agreed upon with selected candidates.
Competencies
Values:
- Inclusion — take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity
- Integrity — act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards
- Humility — demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others
- Humanity — act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet
Behaviours:
- Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
- Analyse and plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
- Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
- Learn and develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
- Adapt and innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways
Qualifications
Required Qualifications and Experience
- A PhD, MSc or equivalent related to the integrated management of environmental resources, textile engineering, circular economy, sustainability development or other relevant fields with a strong relation to the textile industry;
- A minimum of five years of postgraduate research experience in an international context (experience in the Global South is highly desirable); Additional textile Industry working experience is a distinct advantage;
- Track record of research publications in areas related to Resource Nexus within the textile industry;
- Excellent writing skills with proven success publishing in peer-reviewed journals
- Comprehensive knowledge of the research agenda within the textile industry;
- Experience in drafting complex reports, communications, and presentations is required;
- Strong planning, organisation, and time management skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and efficiently;
- Must be flexible with the ability to establish priorities and work within prescribed timeframes
- An excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills, as demonstrated by the ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
- Highly self-motivated, innovative, and organised, yet detail-oriented, with a professional and conscientious attitude with the ability to independently prioritise;
- Fluency in English is required, knowledge of German is desirable, and knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.
Duration and remuneration
General conditions of contracts for the service of consultants apply. Consultants will not hold international civil servant status nor be a ‘staff member’ as defined in the UN Staff Rules and Regulations.
The services of a consultant will be limited to twenty-four months of accrued service within a period of thirty-six calendar months.
Remuneration will be commensurate with experience and based on a daily rate to be submitted as part of the application procedure. This contract carries no entitlement to paid annual leave nor sick leave.
How to Apply:
To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:
- Apply via the apply link;
- fill out the UNU P11 form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
- provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and
- answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.
You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.
Application Deadline: Open until the position filled
Selection process
Individual consultants will be evaluated according to the following process: Stage 1: Establishing a Roster
- All applicants will be screened against the minimum requirements specified above for inclusion on a long list.
- Long-listed applicants will be evaluated through a desk review and/or interview against the following criteria based on evidence in the submitted application: o academic qualifications o relevant professional experience o demonstrated competencies
- Successful candidates will be included in the UNU-FLORESExperts Roster for a period of 2 years, in one of three bands:
Band 1 – Specialist/Implementation Support: PhD/MSc in a relevant field with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience,
Band 2 – Technical Expert: PhD/MSc in a relevant field with a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience; international experience is desirable
Band 3 – Senior Advisory: PhD/MSc in a relevant field with a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience; international experience required.
Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee a contract with UNU-FLORES
Stage 2: Contracting
When a request for services arises, Human Resources will contact the relevant individual(s) with the Terms of Reference, location, and dates of the assignment seeking confirmation of availability and other costs such as travel costs and subsistence allowance.
The daily fee quoted by the individual during this application process will remain as the ceiling fee and cannot be increased upwards for any offered individual assignment(s).
individual assignment(s).
Special Notice
UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply and become part of the organisation.
UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.