Details
Mission and objectives
As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience. UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.
Context
Rapid & continued economic dynamism has translated into growth & reduced poverty levels in several countries in Asia & Pacific. Greater foreign direct investments & capital movements, accentuated by higher regional mobility, are reasons for further optimism for future regional growth. This progress has often come at the expense of human rights of minorities, marginalized & disadvantaged & at-risk groups in interest of investments & financial gains.
Governments across the globe have acknowledged that a rights-oriented approach can in fact enable new levels of trade & foreign direct investment required to achieve sustainable development. A reduced human rights risk profile can lead to a larger volume of green-field & capital-intensive investments.
The UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights are widely regarded as world’s most authoritative, normative framework guiding responsible business action. They require all business enterprises, regardless of their size, sector, location, ownership, & structure, to undertake human rights due diligence across their value chain–to actively identify, prevent & mitigate adverse impacts on people & environment, thereby helping them manage potential & actual risks.
This obligation has been adopted by major economies, including Germany, France, Australia, & Norway & most recently by EU through its Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, which entered into force in Mar 2026 and is expected to apply to the first wave of companies from Jul 2028 (with full application by Jul 2029). Beyond Europe, countries in Asia-including South Korea, Thailand & Indonesia-are also moving forward with legislative proposals that may result in adoption of mandatory human rights due diligence requirements in near future. This obligation will also have significant implications on companies from India that are part of or engage with global supply chain.
The evolving regulatory landscape reflects a global shift toward greater corporate responsibility & emerging expectations & best practices from business on respecting human rights across their supply chain. Indian companies engaging with countries that have established & evolving due diligence legislations & policies can benefit from understanding & anticipating these changes as part of their broader strategy to strengthen environmental & human rights safeguards.
India, the world's largest democracy & sixth largest economy, plays a pivotal role in global economy, with agriculture, manufacturing & services forming the backbone of its GDP. Over 74.7 million micro, small & medium enterprises (MSMEs), contribute to over 30 % of GDP & nearly 49% of exports. However, India's economic ascent comes with challenges. Informality dominates the labour market, leaving millions without job security, fair wages or safe working conditions. Despite policy advancements, particularly in enforcing labour rights, corporate accountability & environmental protection remain areas requiring sustained attention.
India's vision for 2047 aims to transform the nation into Viksit Bharat–a developed India – through a People Centric Inclusive Development Approach. This vision emphasises infrastructure development across physical, digital & social domains, combining innovation, inclusion & reforms.
Ensuring effective implementation of responsible business policies will be crucial to translating India's economic progress into sustainable economic development & human rights advancements.
Governments across the globe have acknowledged that a rights-oriented approach can in fact enable new levels of trade & foreign direct investment required to achieve sustainable development. A reduced human rights risk profile can lead to a larger volume of green-field & capital-intensive investments.
The UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights are widely regarded as world’s most authoritative, normative framework guiding responsible business action. They require all business enterprises, regardless of their size, sector, location, ownership, & structure, to undertake human rights due diligence across their value chain–to actively identify, prevent & mitigate adverse impacts on people & environment, thereby helping them manage potential & actual risks.
This obligation has been adopted by major economies, including Germany, France, Australia, & Norway & most recently by EU through its Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, which entered into force in Mar 2026 and is expected to apply to the first wave of companies from Jul 2028 (with full application by Jul 2029). Beyond Europe, countries in Asia-including South Korea, Thailand & Indonesia-are also moving forward with legislative proposals that may result in adoption of mandatory human rights due diligence requirements in near future. This obligation will also have significant implications on companies from India that are part of or engage with global supply chain.
The evolving regulatory landscape reflects a global shift toward greater corporate responsibility & emerging expectations & best practices from business on respecting human rights across their supply chain. Indian companies engaging with countries that have established & evolving due diligence legislations & policies can benefit from understanding & anticipating these changes as part of their broader strategy to strengthen environmental & human rights safeguards.
India, the world's largest democracy & sixth largest economy, plays a pivotal role in global economy, with agriculture, manufacturing & services forming the backbone of its GDP. Over 74.7 million micro, small & medium enterprises (MSMEs), contribute to over 30 % of GDP & nearly 49% of exports. However, India's economic ascent comes with challenges. Informality dominates the labour market, leaving millions without job security, fair wages or safe working conditions. Despite policy advancements, particularly in enforcing labour rights, corporate accountability & environmental protection remain areas requiring sustained attention.
India's vision for 2047 aims to transform the nation into Viksit Bharat–a developed India – through a People Centric Inclusive Development Approach. This vision emphasises infrastructure development across physical, digital & social domains, combining innovation, inclusion & reforms.
Ensuring effective implementation of responsible business policies will be crucial to translating India's economic progress into sustainable economic development & human rights advancements.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP India, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
1. Research Analysis and Programme Support
• Supports research on responsible business conduct in India, including the promotion of responsible business practices and sustainability in line with the UNGPs and India's national and international obligations;
• Assists in secondary research on specific topics including human rights and environ-mental due diligence, sustainability, ESG, green economy, just transition and other topics relevant to the Business and Human Rights (BHR) agenda;
• Contributes to writing of project-related documents including concept notes, proposals and other knowledge products, under the guidance of senior team members;
• Supports identification of key areas of intervention for engagement with the private sector, with particular focus on MSMEs, on decent work, sustainable economic growth, human rights, environmental sustainability and reducing inequalities; and
• Supports coordination with UN agencies working in India to implement responsible business frameworks across programming.
2. Communications and Knowledge Management
• Assists in development of policy briefs, talking points, briefing notes, communications materials and advocacy documents for strengthening stakeholder communication on responsible business and inclusive governance;
• Supports proofreading and editing of reports and other knowledge products;
• Contributes to the development and implementation of the programme's social media strategy;
• Assists in documenting and disseminating best practices and case stories on responsible business across different media channels;
• Prepares briefs, PowerPoint presentations and infographics for different stakeholders including government agencies, development partners and the private sector;
• Supports the organisation of webinars, conferences, events and forums, including both technical and logistical tasks; and
• Maintains programme documentation and knowledge repositories to support team knowledge management
3. Engagement with Private Sector, with focus on MSME
• Supports outreach and engagement efforts with private sector actors, industry associations and national and regional bodies — including the Federation of Indian Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME), the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) — on responsible business, training and capacity building related to national and international BHR frameworks and evolving legal obligations;
• Contributes to the design and delivery of capacity building initiatives on responsible and sustainable business practices for the private sector, under the guidance of senior team members; and
• Supports coordination with UN system-wide groups, industry associations and civil society actors on the responsible business agenda.
During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance feedback.
1. Research Analysis and Programme Support
• Supports research on responsible business conduct in India, including the promotion of responsible business practices and sustainability in line with the UNGPs and India's national and international obligations;
• Assists in secondary research on specific topics including human rights and environ-mental due diligence, sustainability, ESG, green economy, just transition and other topics relevant to the Business and Human Rights (BHR) agenda;
• Contributes to writing of project-related documents including concept notes, proposals and other knowledge products, under the guidance of senior team members;
• Supports identification of key areas of intervention for engagement with the private sector, with particular focus on MSMEs, on decent work, sustainable economic growth, human rights, environmental sustainability and reducing inequalities; and
• Supports coordination with UN agencies working in India to implement responsible business frameworks across programming.
2. Communications and Knowledge Management
• Assists in development of policy briefs, talking points, briefing notes, communications materials and advocacy documents for strengthening stakeholder communication on responsible business and inclusive governance;
• Supports proofreading and editing of reports and other knowledge products;
• Contributes to the development and implementation of the programme's social media strategy;
• Assists in documenting and disseminating best practices and case stories on responsible business across different media channels;
• Prepares briefs, PowerPoint presentations and infographics for different stakeholders including government agencies, development partners and the private sector;
• Supports the organisation of webinars, conferences, events and forums, including both technical and logistical tasks; and
• Maintains programme documentation and knowledge repositories to support team knowledge management
3. Engagement with Private Sector, with focus on MSME
• Supports outreach and engagement efforts with private sector actors, industry associations and national and regional bodies — including the Federation of Indian Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME), the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) — on responsible business, training and capacity building related to national and international BHR frameworks and evolving legal obligations;
• Contributes to the design and delivery of capacity building initiatives on responsible and sustainable business practices for the private sector, under the guidance of senior team members; and
• Supports coordination with UN system-wide groups, industry associations and civil society actors on the responsible business agenda.
During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance feedback.
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