SENIOR EXECUTIVE, HUMAN RIGHTS & SOCIAL STANDARDS (INTERPRETATION & COMPLIANCE)

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.

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 Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes.

The Senior Executive of Human Rights & Social Standards (Interpretation and Compliance) will be responsible for supporting activities and programmes for the development, interpretation and compliance to the human rights and social standards contained in RSPO’s Principles & Criteria. S/he will support the organisation on technical aspects in the areas of interpretation and compliance of human rights and social standards and any other matters related to human rights and social standards. This includes issues related to gender, labour rights, community rights, grievance mechanisms, information management and analysis. One of the key focus areas of the Senior Executive is working on Community Rights namely on the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent.

KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties include but will not be limited to the following:

1. Together with the Manager of Human Rights and Social Standards (Interpretation & Compliance), develop advice and guidance on all issues related to Interpretation and Compliance on Human Rights and Social Standards contained in RSPO’s Principles & Criteria both for internal and external stakeholders.
2. Together with the Manager of Human Rights and Social Standards (Interpretation & Compliance), provide inputs in the formulation, implementation and review of RSPO’s existing standards, procedures, and guidelines, including developing documents for practical, stepwise implementation and recommendations such as guidance/assessment tools;
3. Propose and develop revisions to the RSPO standards on human rights and social standards, including key documents, relevant certification, technical proceduresand guidelines, and ensure that they are based on global best practices, such as the ILO Labour Standards, and other international conventions, protocols and recommendations concerning community rights such as Free, Prior and Informed Consent;
4. Assist the Human Rights and Social Standards Unit (HRSS) in all matters related to human rights and social standards review, development and amendment including socialization. This includes administrative and technical duties as assigned;
5. Support other Units and Departments in providing responses to questions of interpretation of human rights and social standards including providing presentations and research;
6. Participate and assist in facilitating training and socialisation of HRSS Unit materials particularly on Free, Prior Informed and Consent. This includes preparing presentations and materials. Assist in activities for RSPO Members and external parties on interpretation and compliance with RSPO’s human rights and social standards;
7. Represent the Secretariat at selected events/forums as and when required;
8. Assist the HRSS Managers (Interpretation and Compliance, Innovation and Impact, and Decent Work Programme) to prepare, organize, and facilitate the meetings and activities of the HRWG’s Subgroups and any other task force(s), Standing Committee(s) and the implementation of designated projects under the HRWG Subgroups. Prepare meeting reports and action points after every meeting and keep track of post meeting action points.
9. Ensure that the relevant internal stakeholders are regularly kept up to date on Working Group (WG), Task Forces, Standing Committee activities, discussion and meetings and internal records are updated;
10. Organize and maintain relevant records of meetings, documents and databases for the HRSS Unit. Ensuring that all meeting records, data, information and all other relevant documentations are well documented and are done in an effective and timely manner;
11. Work with the relevant departments and regional offices within the RSPO Secretariat to ensure that the work of the HRSS is implemented;
12. Organise and coordinate the onboarding of external consultants and service providers that work on human rights and social standards-related projects or assignments;
13. Prepare communication materials related to the interpretation and compliance with human rights and social standards including Guidance Documents;
14. Undertake necessary actions and activities under the coordination of the Manager of HRSS (Interpretation and Compliance), Head of Human Rights and Social Standards Unit (HRSS Unit) and Director of Standards & Sustainability Department to ensure effective implementation of human rights and social standards in the Principles & Criteria; and

Apart from the duties stated above, to perform any duty or duties reasonably assigned.

THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT

Education

• University degree in law, human rights, political science, public policy, or equivalent.

Experience

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience.
• Working experience in the palm oil industry is an advantage.

Technical and Professional Knowledge

• A detailed understanding of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
• Knowledge on United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Community Rights namely on the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent
• A background in implementing human rights programmes in complex organisations.
• Able to engage with a diverse stakeholder base, including NGOs, Corporates and Governments.
• Good understanding of the work of the RSPO and 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 & COMPETENCIES

• Strong analytical and legal skills to develop standards and requirements.
• Ability and willingness to work with people of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Ability to research, source, network for relevant and pertinent information related to RSPO’s human rights and social standards.
• Ability to take instructions, read, digest and apply information to work.
• Demonstrable organizational, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good understanding of both the human rights and social standards situation in countries in which RSPO members operate.
• High integrity and a good team player
• Initiative and problem solving
• Goal-oriented and organized
• Proactive
• Teamwork
• Detail-oriented

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 [email protected]. Please state “Job Application – Senior Executive, Human Rights & Social Standards (Interpretation & Compliance)” in your email subject line.

**RSPO is an equal opportunity employer. Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be notified.