UNEP Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda. Established in 1972, UNEP promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The organization operates in over 150 countries and employs thousands of staff members dedicated to environmental issues, sustainability, and human rights advocacy.

Job Overview:
The UNEP Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) Consultant will play a crucial role in the initial operationalization of the Human Rights Due Diligence Framework Policy. This position is part of the Partnership Unit within the Corporate Services Division, located at the Nairobi Duty Station. The consultant will be responsible for reviewing and mapping existing UNEP systems and procedures against the HRDD Framework requirements, developing a practical HRDD gap analysis methodology, and drafting an institutional HRDD Accountability Framework. Additionally, the consultant will create practical staff guidance and training materials to support the implementation of the HRDD Framework Policy. This role requires a deep understanding of human rights compliance and the ability to translate policy into actionable procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be expected to deliver a comprehensive set of tasks, including:

• Reviewing and mapping existing UNEP systems and procedures against HRDD Framework requirements.
• Developing a practical UNEP Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) gap analysis methodology and assessment framework.
• Conducting an analysis of existing due diligence and risk management processes within UNEP, identifying institutional gaps, overlaps, risks, and priority implementation areas.
• Benchmarking practices from other UN entities that are implementing the HRDD Framework Policy and identifying lessons learned and good practices relevant to UNEP.
• Creating a UNEP Human Rights Due Diligence Accountability Framework that aligns with the UN Human Rights Due Diligence Framework Policy.
• Providing recommendations on governance structures, roles, responsibilities, escalation pathways, oversight arrangements, risk categorization and review thresholds, monitoring and reporting arrangements, and integration into existing UNEP partnership and program workflows.
• Developing practical staff guidance, implementation tools, and training materials tailored to UNEP operational contexts to support the implementation of the Human Rights Due Diligence Framework Policy.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. At least five years of working experience in the legal field, specifically in human rights, due diligence, governance, compliance, or institutional risk management, is required. Experience in developing institutional accountability frameworks on human rights compliance, including analyzing existing protocols for human rights gaps, is desirable. Expertise in international human rights and humanitarian law frameworks, including legal frameworks related to HRDD, such as land and indigenous rights, and the right to health and protection, is required. A solid understanding of the practical application of human rights compliance and due diligence frameworks is essential.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in international law is required for this position. Candidates with a first-level university degree may be considered if they have two additional years of qualifying experience. This educational background is crucial as it provides the necessary legal foundation to understand and implement human rights due diligence frameworks effectively.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in human rights due diligence, governance, compliance, or institutional risk management. Candidates should have a strong background in legal advisory roles related to human rights compliance and the ability to translate policy into practical operational procedures. Experience in designing and facilitating training programs is also desirable, as the consultant will be responsible for developing training materials to support the implementation of the HRDD Framework Policy.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is required for this position, as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Proficiency in French is also beneficial, as it is another working language of the UN. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both languages to ensure successful collaboration and implementation of the HRDD Framework.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy position is expected to last for four months and will be part-time. The consultant will work from their home base, allowing for flexibility in their schedule. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. This ensures that the recruitment process is fair and accessible to all qualified candidates.