Business & Human Rights Specialist

  • Location:
  • Salary:
    negotiable / YEAR
  • Job type:
    CONTRACTOR
  • Posted:
    3 weeks ago
  • Category:
    Democracy and Governance
  • Deadline:
    12/09/2024

JOB DESCRIPTION

Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Decentralization, Human Rights and Local Governance is a multi-sector project aimed at strengthening rights-based development, community stabilization, gender equality and social inclusion across all regions and provinces of Pakistan. The core objective of the project is to ensure inclusive and equitable service delivery by providing technical assistance and capacity development support to relevant federal ministries, provincial line departments, statutory bodies, civil-society and private sector organizations. A key aim is to support the creation of an enabling environment for accelerated access to rights, people centered justice and people centered security. The project is aimed at institution building while connecting with vulnerable and at-risk communities to build trust between rights holders and duty bearers, for inclusive, expeditious and transparent access to rights and services. The Project will work with key UN partner agencies including OHCHR, UNHCR, UNWOMEN, ILO and IOM in line with the One-UN strategy to leaving no-one behind. Key beneficiaries will include vulnerable and at-risk men, women, girls, transgender persons, persons with disabilities as well as marginalized and vulnerable populations in general. UNDP will leverage its partnerships with government, statutory bodies, private sector and civil-society stakeholders at the national and sub-national levels for the institutionalization of a rights-based approach to development across Pakistan. A cross-cutting programmatic area of the DHL project is its interventions related to supporting the multistakeholder implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights in Pakistan.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.

Duties and Responsibilities

Business & Human Rights Project Implementation & Strategic Advice

  • Lead implementation of the Business & Human Rights (BHR) pillar of the EU funded Human Rights Project across Pakistan in line with donor requirements, ensuring strategic alignment of activities with other relevant programmatic priorities including environmental justice, social inclusion, education and gender equality.
  • Provide capacity development support to the Government of Pakistan on roll out of key initiatives under the EU project such as mid-term review of the National Action Plan on BHR (NAP-BHR), drafting of 2nd NAP, and federal & provincial coordination for ongoing implementation of the NAP
  • Regularly coordinate with UNDP’s Global Business & Human Rights team—under the Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development—to ensure synchronization of UNDP Pakistan’s BHR initiatives with regional and global trends
  • Regularly monitor and disseminate BHR related national and international updates relevant to programmatic implementation to international funding partners, especially the EU.
  • Providing technical advice to the Procurement Officer in contracting qualified and tracking progress against deliverables of Individual Contractors, Vendors, Implementing Partners and private sector organizations to ensure high-quality and timely technical delivery in support of the BHR pillar.
  • Lead the preparation of concept notes, project proposals and budgeted workplans for submission to potential funding partners for expansion and sustainability of UNDP’s BHR interventions in Pakistan.
  • Coordinate with government counterparts for exchange of best practices on effective rights-based development between provinces.
  • Ensure alignment and linkages of DHL’s BHR and environmental justice programming,  particularly harmonization of capacity-building initiatives for the private sector on human rights & environmental due diligence.
  • Coordinate with the project’s subject specialists and experts, including other thematic leads for the EU project (governance; human rights education; and NHRIs) and provincial Project Officers in to ensure a cohesive approach to implementation between the provinces.
  • Contribute to South-South peer learning activities on Business & Human Rights and rights-based digital governance
  • Support participation of Pakistani stakeholders in BHR-related national, regional, and global events to promote Pakistan’s initiatives on BHR, and leverage opportunities for international-peer learning
  • Supporting the Operations Manager to ensure the implementation of UNDP Procedures and Policies in the Project’s activities under the BHR Pillar.

Establish partnerships and open channels of communication.

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  • Conduct analysis of donor funding strategies, state priorities and beneficiary demands – with a particular focus on human rights ecosystem as it relates to business activity in Pakistan
  • Build and manage partnerships with stakeholders representing government, private sector, civil society and others related to current project activities and identifying future opportunities
  • Design and develop concept notes and project proposals along with aligning financial resources in accordance with UNDP corporate requirements.
  • Coordinate across the UN system, including other UNDP Projects as well as focal points of other UN agencies to build synergies and develop coordinated and joint projects related to Business & Human Rights
  • Present thematic and evidence-based updates identifying programmatic opportunities to international funding partners, donor organisations and government counterparts as and when needed

Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set.

  • Lead BHR reporting and updates for internal and external stakeholders, including DGU, Country Office, RBAP, donors, etc.
  • Prepare regular reports on activities, outputs and outcomes for internal and external consumption
  • Liaise with the UNDP CO for strategic communication, reporting and coordination – while providing guidance to DHL Provincial Project Officers, ICs, and other relevant staff on a synergetic approach to project reporting and communication
  • Conduct periodic visits to the project implementation areas to review compliance with the required UNDP procedures
  • Support the CTA in preparation of project’s mid-term, annual and terminal reports
  • Assist to meetings required in the frame of the project with government and non-government fora on Business & Human Rights

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core competencies:

  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Business Management

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  • Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
  • Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results

Business Direction & Strategy

  • System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Partnership management

  • Private sector engagement: Ability to identify, conduct outreach, and manage relationships with the private sector

2030 Agenda: Peace

  • Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Human Rights/HRBA

Rule of Law

  • Security & Human Rights: Gender and Institutional Development

2030 Agenda: Prosperity

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  • Inclusive Growth: Job/ Employment /Decent work Promotion
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
  • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in International Relations, Law, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field is required, or
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
Experience:
  • Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in the development sector leading implementation of donor-funded projects focused on Business & Human Rights.
  • Strong understanding of UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights, and associated national and international context
  • Strong understanding of Pakistan’s private sector landscape as it pertains to human rights due diligence
  • Strong understanding of human rights institutional environment of Pakistan
  • Strong public speaking skills and ability to speak at/moderate high-level conferences
  • Experience supporting Government of Pakistan on Business & Human Rights policy development and implementation is an asset
  • Strong communication (spoken and written) skills and ability to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office
  • Prior experience in the UN system, especially UNDP, leading projects focused on Business & Human Rights and related areas is desirable
  • Prior working experience providing technical support to Government of Pakistan on Business & Human Rights
  • Prior experience building multi-stakeholder partnerships to advance responsible business practices in Pakistan
  • Prior experience organising various capacity-building events related to Business & Human Rights
  • Experience of donor report writing, analysis and review
  • Experience supporting Government of Pakistan on Business & Human Rights policy development and implementation

Required Languages:

  • Fluency in the UN language of the duty station is required
  • Fluency in the national language of the duty station is required for local personnel.
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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