United Nations Office for Project Services (HQ)

Social and Human Rights Lead

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Last update: Oct 15, 2024 Last update: Oct 15, 2024

Details

Deadline: Oct 28, 2024 Deadline for applications has passed
Location: Switzerland
Job type:Contract, 12 months +
Languages:
English, French
English, French
Work experience:Min 7 years
Date posted: Oct 14, 2024

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Description

Dutystation: Geneva, Switzerland


Functional responsibilities


Under the direct supervision of the Program Management Officer, the Social and Human Rights Lead will be responsible for the following :

  1. Leads the further establishment of the UNEP Secretariat capacity to advance financing for social and human rights issues, including a just transition. This includes resource mobilisation, team development, structure and processes and the execution of core Secretariat tasks to contribute to UNEP FI’s operational and strategic objectives.
  2. Oversees and coordinates the execution of social and human rights annual work-plans, including managing a pool of consultants, with an integrated approach to contribute to UNEP FI’s programme for banks and insurers.
  3. Develops resources to support global norms, support member implementation, sectoral transformation, outreach, awareness raising, knowledge sharing and systems change in coordination with industry/thematic and policy, communications, finance, HR and regional coordination/capacity building leads.
  4. Ensures accuracy and quality control of the social and human rights work stream’s outputs, including alignment with UN messaging.
  5. Engages members and key stakeholders across jurisdictions to raise awareness and convene industry, academic, IGO and NGO experts where relevant.
  6. Supports the governance of the UNEP FI, by implementing, facilitating and documenting meetings, exchanges and interactions as required of the UNEP FI Secretariat, and any related governance bodies, at both expert and principals level.
  7. Oversees, analyses, aggregates and helps develop and promote thought leadership and ambitious, science-based global norms through resources such as publications and monitors progress, in line with established requirements and timelines.
  8. Contributes to supporting integration of approaches, methodologies and tools into finance systems and processes to accelerate implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in the financial sector, helping to advance global norms, including in areas such as the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
  9. Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of social and human rights programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
  10. Prepares and coordinates various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. and ensures quality of outputs.
  11. Undertakes field missions and outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on social and human rights topics/activities for different regions and contexts.
  12. Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
  13. Leads and oversees the Secretariat of the UNEP FI – facilitated social and human rights work stream. Focus will be on supporting the social aspects of implementing and operationalising the PRB, PSI and Net Zero alliances and the further professionalisation of the Secretariat on social issues. The incumbent will support banks and insurers on addressing social issues through strategies, operations and portfolio management. The frameworks reinforce, accelerate and supports the implementation of decarbonisation and sustainability strategies, providing internationally coherent frameworks and guidelines in which to operate, supported by peer-learning and relevant expertise. Social issues will be supported in the development of policy & regulatory frameworks such as taxonomies where feasible.
Through these services the Initiative will be able to engage a broad range of financial institutions, including commercial banks, insurers, and multilateral development banks in implementing global finance sector principles to catalyse integration of social and human rights issues into financial market practice. The inclusion of social and human rights consideration in members’ implementation of the frameworks UNEP FI is supporting, including Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB), the Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI) and Net Zero Alliances will be supported.

UNEP FI will fulfil UNEP’s gender issues requirements where relevant to the financial sector and develop knowledge and guidance for financial institutions to strengthen management of portfolio impacts on society.The services will also help promote social issues into the financial sector’s strategies, governance, operations, policies, processes and practices. Finally, the services will help the Initiative to raise awareness of the role of finance in addressing social and human rights issues both within UNEP / UN and external to banks, insurers, supporting institutions and other key stakeholders.

Other expected results include developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating assigned programme/projects; providing thorough, well reasoned written contributions, e.g., background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc; developing and maintaining effective working relationships; and efficiently managing resources.


Education/Experience/Language requirements


Education
  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in environmental management, development studies, economics, sociology, human rights, international relations, or a related field is required.
  • A first-level university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in combination with the same preferred fields with an additional two years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Experience
Required
  • A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the environmental/social field areas.
  • A minimum of 5 years of experience in social and environmental impact assessment/management, and developing strategies/providing recommendations to private/public sector entities on how to address impacts is required.
  • Experience and expertise in sustainable finance, business and human rights, or stakeholder engagement.
Desired
  • Experience in developing and managing work programs in the financial sector.
  • Experience working in/with banks and a good grasp of their business areas, products & services, and internal structure/processes.
  • Experience in developing tools/approaches/guidance materials in collaboration with other experts and stakeholders.

Languages

  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Intermediate knowledge of French is required.
  • Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.