Background
Rapid and continued economic dynamism has translated into growth and reduced poverty levels in several countries in Asia and the Pacific. Greater foreign direct investments and capital movements, accentuated by higher regional mobility are reasons for further optimism in regional growth. This progress has often come at the expense of the human rights of minorities, marginalized and disadvantaged and at-risk groups in the interest of investments and financial gains.
The UNDP Asia-Pacific, Governance and Peacebuilding Team, Business and Human Rights Unit, is engaged in promoting the implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP). The UNGP clarifies the duty of states and the responsibility of businesses to uphold international norms and treaties on human rights. These Guiding Principles rest on three pillars: 1) the State’s duty to protect human rights; 2) the corporate responsibility to respect human rights and; 3) the joint-responsibility of both the State and businesses sector to provide access to remedy for victims of business-related abuses.
Momentum supporting the implementation of the UNGP through National Action Plans (NAPs) is developing rapidly in the region. Government of India launched the National Voluntary Guidelines (NVGs) on Economic, Social and Environmental conduct of businesses in 2011, and is currently reviewing the Guidelines. The Guidelines, now known as National Guidelines (NGs) on Responsible Business Conduct are likely to serve as the first step in India’s effort and commitment to developing a National Action Plan (NAP) on Business & Human Rights. An impetus for responsible business conduct has been noted among the Indian businesses, particularly after the new provisions for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Companies Act in the year 2013. Additionally, leading national and multi-national corporations are embedding human rights due diligence approaches into their operational policies and corporate communication profiles. At the same time, the civil society organizations and the National Human Rights Institutions have been actively working to hold corporates accountable on their human rights impacts. In nut-shell, it is an opportune moment and environment to promote implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in the country.
Based on the findings from the inception phase period, UNDP proposes to develop and implement the regional project, to which this consultancy is attached to Business and Human Rights in Asia: Promoting Responsible Business Practices through Regional Partnerships.
The goal of this project is to promote the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles in Asia through regional efforts focused on advocacy, policy development, technical advisory support, capacity building, awareness raising, innovation platforms, regional peer learning events, and South-South cooperation. Based on a year-long scoping and piloting phase, funded by the Regional Development Cooperation Section at the Embassy of Sweden in Thailand, the proposed project will be implemented by the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub in collaboration with UNDP Country Offices in the region and in partnership with regional initiatives, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), other UN agencies, and the UN Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises (UNWG).
Duties and Responsibilities
This position will work under the supervision of Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India; Human Rights Focal Point, UNDP India; and Business and Human Rights Specialist, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub.
The assignment will be structured around the following four (4) deliverables:
- Provide support to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India in advancing the UNGPs and SDGs in India
- Provide support in increasing awareness and strengthening capacity of relevant stakeholders on business and human rights in the country through workshops, seminars and other events
- Prepare reports and documents as necessary for internal and external reporting requirements
- Provide support to the Business and Human Rights Unit in Bangkok Regional Hub, India Country Office in effective implementation of the project
Scope of Work
The Project Assistant shall focus on four main workstreams:
1. Provide support to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India in advancing the UNGPs and SDGs in India, including:
- Respond to specific priorities identified by the Government related to SDGs and UNGPs – including localization of SDGs and financial outlays under the action plan;
- Support the Government in sensitization and advocacy on the National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct, 2018;
- Support the government on the recommendations on the Companies Act/ CSR Policy;
- Provide support to the MCA on their day-to-day requirements to support implementation of the UNGPs in the country
2. Provide support in increasing awareness and strengthening capacity of relevant stakeholders on business and human rights in the country through workshops, seminars and other events, including:
- Support in conducting research to showcase best practices in the field of business and human rights, and any other research required to support promotion of UNGPs;
- Organize trainings for government representatives on Business and Human Rights and seize opportunities to use the implementation of the UNGPs.
- Provide support in organizing consultations and events aimed at building capacity of relevant stakeholders (including businesses and CSOs) at national and regional level to promote implementation of the UNGPs;
- Organize regional events on Business and Human Rights to exchange best practices, encourage a national race-to-the-top to develop NAP, and maintain momentum.
3. Prepare reports and documents as necessary for internal and external reporting, including:
- Draft quarterly and annual reports on progress updates;
- Draft any additional documents required for reporting to government or project stakeholders including donors
4. Provide support to the Business and Human Rights Unit in Bangkok Regional Hub, India Country Office in effective implementation of the project
- Provide any other Technical Assistance in the implementation of the regional programme on UNGPs at country-level
- Cultivate new working relationships with emerging partners and businesses to promote businesses ‘respect for human rights in India
- Any other task assigned by the supervisors, as may be assigned from time-to-time.
Competencies
- Comprehensive knowledge of Human Rights, Sustainable Development Goals, and familiarity with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
- Prior experience of working with the government and private sector
- Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
- Thoroughly familiar with the development context and challenges with regard to key developmental issues.
- Knowledge and experience in Results Based Programme Development and Management
- Ability to establish researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points for integration
- Excellent analytical, reporting, and writing skills.
- Effective communication skills and ability to work under time constraints
- Full computer literacy in Microsoft Office i.e. MS-Word, MS-Excel, and MS-Power Point
- Promotes and enforces ethics and integrity and creates precedence in good practice
- Demonstrates corporate knowledge and sound judgment
- Inclined towards self-development, ability to take initiative, adopt a corporate approach to complex situations
- Creates and promotes an enabling environment for open communication
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
An advanced degree in international relations, gender studies, political science, social sciences, development, Public and Business Administration, Economics, law or other disciplines related to human rights.
The Project Assistant should possess the following expertise and qualifications:
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years of relevant experience on program and policy work in the Human Rights
- Minimum 3 years of work experience in the processes of relevance for drafting the strategic documents, policies, implementation, monitoring and reporting
- Experience of working with government,International Organisations, business, and civil society.
- Reporting and Project drafting experience
Language Requirements: Fluency in written and oral Hindi and English
Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 70 points)
Criteria 1: Relevance of educational background (max 15 points)
Criteria 2: Relevant work experience in (max 15 points)
Criteria 3: Reporting and Project drafting experience (max 10 points)
Criteria 4: Technical test and interview (max 30 points)
Criteria 5: Commericals (Daily Fees) (max 30 points)
Shorlisted candidates will have to appear for a written test and an Interview
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
Submission of Proposal
1) CV
2) Financial Proposal:
Consultant should specify their daily consultancy fee rate.
Note:
1. Any kind of miscellaneous charges i.e. internet, phone, relocation charges etc. would not be reimbursed;
2. Travel, lodging and boarding as per UNDP rules subject to prior approval
3. Individuals working with institutions may also apply, contract would be issued in the name of institution for the specific services of individual
4. Please note proposals without financial proposal will not be considered.
For any clarifications, please write to ic.india@undp.org