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, (Labour Rights) will support the Manager, Human Rights and Social Standards (Labour Rights) and the Head of Human Rights and Social Standards (HRSS) in providing functional & technical support on all matters relating to human rights and social standards development. This role will contribute to the successful development, interpretation, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of RSPO Standards and initiatives on Human Rights and Social Standards in the Palm Oil Sector. S/he will support in the analysis of labour rights and policies, labour migration and labour market information and analysis. The Senior Executive will also assist in the coordination and administration of thematic projects or working groups related to labour rights, ensuring that activities are well-executed, documented, and aligned with RSPO’s human rights commitments.
The location of this role is Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties include but will not be limited to the following:
- Support the Manager of Human Rights and Social Standards (Labour Rights) to facilitate revisions of RSPO standards on labour, including key documents, relevant certification, technical procedures and guidelines, and ensure that they are based on global best practices, such as the ILO Labour Standards and other international conventions, protocols and recommendations.
- Together with the Manager of HRSS (Labour Rights), act as the focal point and technical expert on labour rights standards for the relevant governance committees and the RSPO Secretariat, and lead labour specific committees when applicable.
- Support the formulation, implementation and review of existing labour rights standards, procedures, and guidelines, including developing documents for practical, stepwise implementation and recommendations.
- Assess opportunities and the applicability of new technologies/tools to assist members in compliance with RSPO Standards including facilitating development and piloting of tools, risk-based assessment, best management practices relevant to implementing human rights and social standards.
- Support the facilitation and coordination of training and socialisation of RSPO’s human rights and social standards.
- Assist in coordinating and facilitating meetings and activities of the Human Rights Working Group and its various Sub-groups and the designated projects under those groups.
- Assist in onboarding, coordinating and supervising external consultants and service providers working on human rights and social standards related projects or assignments.
- Support the analyses and evaluations of labour issues in the palm oil sector, and assist with due diligence and investigation activities, in collaboration with the regional technical teams..
- Represent the Secretariat at selected events / forums as and when required
- Assist and support other Units and Departments requests related to human rights and social standards. This includes research, presentations, responses, monitoring and impact evaluation.
- Apart from the duties stated above, to perform any duty or duties reasonably assigned.
THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT
Education
- A degree in the field of Law, Human Rights, political science. A Masters Degree in Human Rights is advantageous.
Experience
- A minimum of 4 years’ experience in the palm oil industry is an advantage
- Experience in Human Rights work/research (e.g. gender, child rights, labour rights and human rights due diligence)
Technical and Professional Knowledge
- Knowledge of the International Bill of Human Rights, in international Labour Conventions (under International Labour Organisation), and Human Rights Treaties and Conventions, Declarations, and Land Regulations which are applicable in the production of palm oil globally
- Familiar with sustainability and human rights issues of the Palm Oil Industry including Extensive knowledge on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and its related documents.
- Familiar with basic directives, human rights due diligence initiatives and requirements related to the Palm Oil industry
- Proficiency and experience with Google apps (Google drive, sheets, docs, slides, etc)
- Proficiency in Design applications is advantageous
- Proficiency in Salesforce (procurement and finance) management is advantageous
ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and interact with different stakeholders
- Ability to source for relevant and pertinent information related to RSPO’s human rights and social standards
- Ability to read, digest and apply information to the work at hand
- Proficiency in English with good communication skills
- Ability in establishing cooperation and rapport with internal and external parties of different backgrounds and/or nationalities
- Communication skills
- Teamwork
- Detail orientated
- Initiative and problem solving
- High integrity and a good team player
- Goal oriented and organised
- Self-motivated and self-directed
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 (Labour Rights)” in your email subject line.
**RSPO is an equal opportunity employer. Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
