Transparency and Traceability Specialist Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is a leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda and promotes sustainable development through sound environmental practices. Established in 1972, UNEP has a mission to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices by providing leadership and encouraging partnership in caring for the environment. UNEP operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of approximately 1,000 employees. The organization focuses on various environmental issues, including climate change, sustainable development, and the management of chemicals and waste.

Job Overview:
The Transparency and Traceability Specialist Consultant will play a crucial role in enhancing the transparency and consistency of information regarding hazardous substances within the fashion and construction supply chains. This position is part of UNEP's Chemicals and Health Branch, which is dedicated to addressing technical-scientific issues related to priority chemicals and the implementation of resolutions from the United Nations Environment Assembly. The consultant will be responsible for developing knowledge products that assess and recommend options and technologies for improving transparency in these supply chains. This role requires a comprehensive understanding of environmental sciences, materials science, and industrial design principles, as well as experience in supply chain transparency and information management solutions. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including governments, industry associations, and NGOs, to gather insights and develop actionable recommendations for enhancing transparency measures.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Developing a detailed workplan and annotated outline for the knowledge product, including methodology and proposed activities.
• Conducting a comprehensive desk review to compile and analyze literature, reports, regulations, and initiatives related to hazardous substances and transparency tools.
• Mapping existing and emerging tools and technologies for hazardous substance transparency, assessing their feasibility and applicability to the fashion and construction sectors.
• Engaging with stakeholders through interviews and focus groups to gather insights on usability and challenges related to transparency.
• Analyzing findings to prepare a draft report that compares tools and approaches, identifies barriers and enabling factors, and develops options for improving transparency.
• Finalizing the knowledge product by updating the draft report, providing actionable recommendations, and preparing an executive summary and presentation for dissemination.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, engineering, industrial design, or material science. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Additionally, candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant work experience in applying principles of environmental science, materials science, engineering, or industrial design to supply chain transparency and information management solutions. Experience with digital traceability technologies, such as digital product passports or blockchain, is required, along with demonstrated experience in regulation and compliance related to labeling and transparency. Experience in the fashion, textiles, or construction sectors is desirable, and prior experience developing knowledge products with the UN is preferred.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as environmental sciences, engineering, industrial design, or material science. A first-level university degree may be accepted if combined with additional qualifying experience, emphasizing the importance of a strong educational foundation in the relevant disciplines.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, particularly in applying environmental science, materials science, engineering, or industrial design principles to enhance supply chain transparency and information management solutions. Experience in developing and implementing digital traceability technologies is essential, as is familiarity with regulatory and compliance issues related to labeling and transparency in supply chains.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory, as it is the working language of the United Nations Secretariat. Additionally, fluency in oral and written Spanish and French is desirable, which would enhance communication with a broader range of stakeholders and facilitate engagement in multilingual environments.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 175 days over a period of 9 months, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements as it is home-based and can be conducted remotely. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process.