Result of Service

The consultant will significantly contribute to the timely and successful coordination and implementation of programme activities at global, regional and country levels. His/her expertise and dedication will ensure the provision of technical support to FPs, effective programme implementation, preparation of events and the development of informative and relevant materials on Business and Human Rights (BHR) to support outreach, engagements and awareness-raising efforts, incl. the development of the BHR Africa webpage.

Work Location

Geneva or home based

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support Programme Implementation: Assist with the coordination and planning of the BHR Africa programme, collaborate with UN Human Rights FPs to ensure smooth and effective implementation of the BHR Africa programme across participating countries and regional components. • Liaison and Coordination: Facilitate communication and coordination between all involved FPs, ensuring alignment and coherence in program activities and objectives. • Development of material and resources: Develop informative and relevant materials on Business and Human Rights (BHR) to support FPs’ outreach and awareness-raising efforts. • Capacity Building: Provide training and capacity-building support to FPs and stakeholders on BHR standards, in particular the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, enhancing their understanding and application of human rights standards in the business context. • Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with key stakeholders, including governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and affected communities, to foster dialogue and collaboration in advancing BHR practices. • Organizational and Event Support: Assist in organizing and coordinating events, workshops, and meetings related to the BHR Africa programme, ensuring their smooth execution and timely follow-up. • Monitoring and Reporting: Monitor the progress and impact of the BHR Africa programme activities, gathering data and preparing regular reports for internal and external stakeholders. • Strategic Activity Planning: Contribute to the development of strategic activity plans, outlining actionable steps to achieve program objectives and targets.

Qualifications/special skills

The BHR Africa programme aims to build strategic and impactful business and human rights engagement, foster the implementation of business and human rights standards, and strengthen accountability for adverse business-related human rights impacts in the Africa region. The BHR Africa programme contributes to promoting international human rights standards, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), at regional, sub-regional and national levels, including through its partnership with the AU and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), as well as the African human rights institutions. UN Human Rights implemented the pilot phase (Phase 1) of the BHR Africa programme between November 2021 and December 2022 in Liberia, Mozambique, Uganda, as well as a regional component through the UN Human Rights East Africa Regional Office (EARO). Under its second phase, the BHR Africa programme has consolidated its activities in Liberia and Mozambique. The geographic reach of the programme has been expanded to include Zambia, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as the Central African Regional Office (CARO) and the Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA). In the third phase (October 2023 to June 2025), the BHR Africa programme will consolidate the impact of the programme in the countries of implementation (Liberia, Mozambique, Zambia, Cameroon, South Africa) and in its regional components in the East Africa Regional Office (EARO), Central African Regional Office (CARO), Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA) and West Africa Regional Office. In light of the expansion of the BHR Africa programme, support is needed to coordinate and conduct programme activities. UN Human Rights is seeking to hire a consultant to bring expertise on Business and Human Rights, specifically in Africa, to coordinate and support the implementation of programme’s activities, providing assistance and technical support to FPs in shaping and implementing their BHR Africa activities. With a focus on capacity-building, multi-stakeholder engagement and advocacy to build effective and impactful business and human rights outcomes, the consultant will work collaboratively with the FPs and stakeholders to foster the adoption and implementation of human rights standards and strengthen accountability for adverse business-related human rights impacts. Experience working in human rights in or in relation to Africa is required. Experience in and knowledge of the field of Business and Human Rights, incl. the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, is required. Experience in project support and coordination as well as in the development of project documents and material for outreach and advocacy, is required.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Fluency in French is desired.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.