The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is a global partnership to make palm oil sustainable. Today, the RSPO is a global, non-profit organisation with over 6,000 voluntary members across 104 countries and territories, representing every link in the supply chain: oil palm producers, palm oil processors and traders, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks and investors, environmental or nature conservation non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and social or developmental NGOs.
At RSPO, we believe that our success is built by the passion, dedication, skills, and expertise of our people. They are the ones who drive our organisation to new heights and guide us through the next phase of our development.
The Senior Executive, Human Rights and Social Standards, (FPIC and Community Rights) will support the Human Rights and Social Standards unit in providing functional & technical support on all matters relating to human rights and social standards development, implementation and programs.
The Senior Executive, HRSS, (FPIC and Community Rights) will support the Manager, HRSS (FPIC and Community Rights) in managing the technical aspects of implementing the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), community rights and and general human rights principles. He/She will coordinate and support research, activities and programmes to develop and interpret the RSPO standards on FPIC and community rights. FPIC is a manifestation of indigenous peoples’ right to self-determine their political, social, economic and cultural priorities. It constitutes three interrelated and cumulative rights of indigenous peoples: the right to be consulted; the right to participate; and the right to their lands, territories and resources. RSPO has entrenched this important principle in its standards for the production of sustainable palm oil.
The Senior Executive is expected to have working knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and its intersectionality with human rights. The Senior Executive is expected to support in the monitoring of relevant international legislations, regulations and directives and global initiatives that affect RSPO Standards.
The location of this role is Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties include but will not be limited to the following:
- Together with the HRSS Manager, assist in facilitating revisions of RSPO standards on human rights and social standards, including key documents such as guidances, procedures, related certification/assurance documents, towards ensuring that they are based on global best practices and contextualized for the Palm Oil industry.
- Assist the HRSS Manager in the duties as the focal point and technical expert on FPIC , Community Rights and general human rights principles for the relevant governance committees and the RSPO Secretariat and stakeholders. This includes assist in interpretation and providing guidance on compliance issues related to human rights and social standard practices in the RSPO’s Principles and Standards.
- Support the HRSS Manager in organising, administrate the FPIC-specific committees both for Growers and Smallholders.
- Assist and support the HRSS Head and Managers, to facilitate training on RSPO standards, procedures, and guidelines to RSPO staff, Members, stakeholders, and to accreditation and certification bodies. Provide expert support and technical assistance to impact assessments and assurance related matters both internally ie RSPO Secretariat and Members and externally ie. third-parties.
- Support the work on socialising FPIC, Community Rights and related matters including developing factsheet, presentation materials, etc., where required.
- Administrate, support and facilitate research/analysis on gaps in implementation of FPIC, Community Rights and related human rights for continual improvement.
- Support the design, monitoring, and evaluation of sectoral research studies, and participate in multi-stakeholder activities in the areas of FPIC, Community Rights and general human rights principles (where relevant).
- Assist and develop content on FPIC, community rights and general human rights principles in terms of presentations, curricula for use on platforms such as the RSPO Smallholder Trainer Academy, the RSPO Sustainability College etc.
- Initiate, develop and maintain close contacts with relevant multilateral and government agencies, labour unions, civil society organisations and other bodies concerned with FPIC, community rights and related issues to develop collaborative partnerships.
- Support the HRSS Managers to maintain oversight on key developments of human rights issues in the global arena that have a bearing on RSPO standards related to human rights and social standards. Among others, EU-related legislations/regulations/directives, relevant global movements such as ILO, UN, and other international organisations that work on sustainability issues directly impacting on RSPO Standards.
- Apart from the duties stated above, to perform any duty or duties reasonably
THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT
Education
- University degree from top-tier programme in law, human rights, political science, social sciences or equivalent. A postgraduate degree would be advantageous.
Experience
- 3 years of work experience in research, analysis and/or training related to general human rights and community rights. Work on FPIC or with Indigenous Peoples Rights is advantageous.
- Work related to social auditing is advantageous.
- Experience working in the palm oil industry or other agricultural commodities.
- Experienced in research, analysis and report writing is required.
- Able to collaborate and consult with local stakeholders particularly relevant RSPO members, relevant government bodies, wage council at the national/provincial and/or district levels, worker unions and any other important stakeholders.
- Experience in administrative, organising and knowledge management is essential
Technical and Professional Knowledge
- Familiar with human rights & social issues, particularly Indigenous Peoples’s Rights, land issues in the palm oil industry.
- Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and/or projects.
- Able to collaborate and consult with local stakeholders particularly relevant RSPO members, relevant government bodies, worker unions and any other important stakeholders.
- Experience working in the area of livelihoods, community rights in Asia, Africa and/or Latin America, particularly in the palm oil provinces in these regions.
- Proficiency in MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Computer savviness is advantageous
Other Special Requirements
- Ability to deliver the work required in a timely manner.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and interact with different stakeholders.
- Proficiency in English with good communication skills.
- Communication skills in Bahasa Indonesia and/or Bahasa Malaysia, Spanish, French will be an added advantage
- Ability in establishing cooperation and rapport with internal and external parties of different backgrounds and/or nationalities
- High integrity and a good team player
- Goal oriented and organized
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and interact with different stakeholders.
- Ability to be flexible on the implementation of projects and meet given deadlines.
- Strong organisational, administrative and technical skills
ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- IT and software skills such as Excel, Word, Powerpoint
- Functional Competencies namely Action oriented, Dealing with Ambiguity, Functional skills
HOW TO APPLY
Qualified applicants are invited to send in their updated CV giving comprehensive details of educational background, work experience, and related achievements to [email protected]. Please state “Job Application – Senior Executive, Human Rights & Social Standards (Community Rights & FPIC)” in your email subject line.
**RSPO is an equal opportunity employer. Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
