HEAD OF HUMAN RIGHTS & SOCIAL STANDARDS

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is a not-for-profit, international membership organisation that is working to transform markets to make sustainable palm oil the norm. To do this, we have united stakeholders from all sectors of the palm oil supply chain and civil society to develop and implement global standards for sustainable palm oil production and procurement.
Since its inception in 2004, RSPO has enjoyed rapid growth and today has close to 5,000 members from 99 countries, including oil palm producers, processors, traders, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks, and non-governmental organisations. Thanks to the commitments and actions of these members, nearly 20% of the global supply of palm oil has already been certified as sustainable.
At RSPO, we bring together all actors within the palm oil supply chain to initiate change that will push the industry towards elevating the protection of human rights, to ensure the production of sustainable palm oil.
The RSPO Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) was formed in 2014, with the objective of overseeing the successful implementation of the RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C) and to provide the RSPO Secretariat and RSPO members with a better understanding to effectively implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Social issues related to palm oil operations are among the most difficult to identify and audit, as well as the most challenging to manage or remediate. These include, but are not limited to: land rights, migrant workers’ rights, deceptive recruitment, forced labour, freedom of association, child labour, gender discrimination, undocumented workers, and FPIC processes.
The Head of Human Rights & Social Standards is responsible for supporting the Director, Standard Development in leading and ensuring the development and interpretation of RSPO standards, specifically in the area of these human rights, labour standards, and social challenges.
The incumbent will also act as the external focal point in matters relating to human rights and social standards for the RSPO, and will provide advice of strategic and policy significance to the organisation on the global stage.
The location of this role is flexible.
KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties include but will not be limited to the following:
- Oversee the implementation and continuous improvement of the RSPO Strategy on Human Rights and Social Standards
- Ensure the development and revision of relevant key documents, procedures and guidelines relating to human rights and social standards are in line with recognised international guidelines including the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and are based on best practices and/or requirements of relevant national standards.
- Act as the RSPO focal point, spokesperson and reference on matters relating to human rights, including representing the RSPO in relevant international events and forums.
- Provide expertise and engage stakeholders at a local, regional and global level in a professional, consistent and evidence-based manner to ensure RSPO standards are developed and interpreted accurately.
- Ensure close contacts with relevant national and international human rights institutions, executive and legislative authorities, law enforcement, labour unions and civil society groups engaged in the palm oil industry.
- Analyse regional and international trends in precedents pertaining to human rights, including violations of extant human rights within the palm oil industry, and support innovation, adoption of best practices, development and continuous improvement of relevant tools/systems/approaches in line with the RSPO Theory of Change.
- Provide leadership to ensure effective facilitation of the relevant committees and working groups within the RSPO on matters related to human rights and social standards.
- Ensure timely and adequate communication and socialisation of RSPO standards, procedures and guidelines to relevant stakeholders related to human rights and social standards.
- Provide authoritative advice and guidance to senior management and staff of the RSPO and contribute to the formulation of impactful strategies and policies.
- Oversee the management of activities undertaken by the Human Rights & Social Standards Unit and ensure that its activities are carried out in a timely manner, and coordinate its work with other relevant Departments and/or Units within the RSPO Secretariat.
- Provide leadership and manage the day-to-day operations of the Human Rights & Social Standards Unit, including preparation of strategic plans/budgets. reporting on programme/budget performance, overseeing staff selection processes and evaluation of staff performance, and providing guidance and support to staff of the Unit.
- Apart from the duties stated above, to perform any duty or duties reasonably assigned.
THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT
- Advanced degree in law, human rights, political science, international relations, public policy, or equivalent.
- Minimum 10 years of relevant, diversified and progressively responsible professional experience including at least 5 years at the management level in a global or regional setting.
- Experience in human rights programme development and political analysis, including the production of reports, verbal and written briefings to C-Suite leaders.
TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE
- A detailed understanding of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
- A background in implementing wide-reaching Human Rights programmes in complex international organisations.
- Able to engage with a diverse stakeholder base, including NGOs, businesses, finance institutes, and Governments.
- Good understanding of the work of the RSPO and its standards.
- Familiar with other sustainability schemes (e.g. Forest Stewardship Council, Marine Stewardship Council, Rainforest Alliance etc.).
- Proficiency in MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Demonstrated bility to work with people of different backgrounds and diverse political views while maintaining impartiality and objectivity with tact and diplomacy in dealing with both external stakeholders and multinational staff.
- Demonstrable organisational, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Good understanding of both the human rights and social situation in key RSPO jurisdictions including Asia, Africa, and Latin America).
- High integrity and a good team player.
- Goal oriented and organized.
- Self-motivated and self-directed.
- Ability to manage and coach a diverse and talent team under pressure.
- Strong in strategic and negotiation skills.
WHAT’S ON OFFER
Your commitment and passion to drive innovation will be rewarded with an opportunity to work in an international multi-stakeholder organisation, where making a difference to People, Planet and Prosperity is not just a statement, but what we passionately believe in.
Operating within a dynamic and fast-paced environment, you will enjoy functioning within a role that offers the opportunity to broaden your skill set and develop your capabilities.
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 careers@rspo.org. Please state “Job Application – Head of Human Rights & Social Standards” in your email subject line.
**RSPO is an equal opportunity employer. Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be notified.