UNEP Textile Initiative Internship (Remote)

UNEP offers a 6-month remote internship supporting its Textile Initiative on sustainable fashion and textiles. It’s open to final-year students or recent graduates in relevant fields like sustainability, social sciences, or international relations. The internship is full-time and remote, with optional access to the Paris office. The application deadline is August 16, 2025.

Eligibility

• Educational Requirement:
  Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
  • Be a student in the final year of a first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent)
  • Be enrolled in a Master’s or Ph.D. programme (or equivalent)
  • Have recently completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. programme
• Preferred Fields of Study:
  • Fashion or textiles (with a focus on sustainability)
  • International relations, social sciences, business studies, or other related fields (preferably with interest or experience in sustainable textiles)
• Work Experience:
  • No prior work experience is required
  • Your academic background, training, or skills should align with and benefit the goals of the United Nations during your internship
• Skills and Knowledge:
  • Strong research skills and ability to compile and analyze complex data
  • Interest in sustainability-related global textile issues (e.g. circular economy, trade, overproduction, overconsumption)
  • Ability to turn technical themes into accessible and engaging communication materials
  • Understanding of social and ethical topics in textiles, including gender, Indigenous rights, and policy
  • Must have strong English writing and communication skills. Additional languages (French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Arabic) are advantageous

Program Dates/Location

• Application Deadline: August 16, 2025
• Duration: 6 months, full-time (35 hours/week), typically Monday to Friday.
• Location: Fully remote with no mandatory physical presence; some flexibility to work from Paris if desired, which is the duty station of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support country projects by learning about life cycle approaches and circularity in textiles, reviewing project deliverables, and assisting with project management tasks (e.g., calls for proposals, implementation plans, progress reports).
• Conduct research on topics such as the textile sector in specific regions, chemicals in textiles, and fashion consumption trends.
• Assist in preparing trainings, workshops, and international events for various stakeholders under the UNEP Textile Initiative.
• Help develop UNEP’s monthly textile newsletter and keep expert community/stakeholder databases updated.
• Participate in calls with internal and external stakeholders and report key conclusions to the team.
• Support outreach activities including campaigns on textile sustainability, organizing webinars and events, preparing presentations, and drafting concept notes and agendas.

Required Documents

• Proof of current enrollment or degree completion (official certificate).
• Completed application through the UNEP or UN careers portal (possibly via Job Opening ID 261562). This may require a CV and cover letter.
• No fees are charged at any recruitment stage.