Background
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP works to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities through the sustainable development of nations in more than 170 countries and territories. The Regional Bureau of Asia is responsible for guiding and supporting 24 Country Offices in achieving the objectives of UNDP's Strategic Plan. RBAP's staff provides technical advice to Country Offices, governments and other relevant stakeholders; advocates for UNDP corporate messages and represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora, including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, South-South and Triangular cooperation initiatives, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.

Rapid and continued economic dynamism has translated into growth and reduced poverty levels in several countries in Asia and the Pacific. More significant foreign direct investments and 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 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 currently engaged in promoting the implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP). The UNGP clarifies states' duty and businesses' responsibility 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 quickly in the region. Nurturing this, an already well-developed community of industry advocates, human rights activists, and development practitioners are deepening their work on various thematic areas or industry-specific B&HR activities. While leading national and multi-national corporations are embedding human rights due diligence approaches into their operational policies and corporate communication profiles.

The project Business and Human Rights in Asia – Promoting Responsible Business Practices through Regional Partnerships (B+HR Asia) aims at strengthening the regional momentum on business and human rights in Asia. The regional project is focused on seven Asian countries; Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam and implements a broad range of activities targeting a variety of stakeholders, including governments, state officials, members of the business sector, Civil Society Organizations, National Human Rights Institutions, UN entities and international organizations, and influencers in the area of business, human rights and economic policy with funding from the Government of Sweden.

Position Purpose

The Project Manager, Business and Human Rights, based in Bangkok, is responsible for contributing to policy and project support in Asia and the targeted countries of the project and beyond. The project ends in June 2023, and the incumbent will provide day-to-day management for Business, and Human Rights project planning, administration, final closure and reporting while ensuring project outputs are delivered. In doing so, the incumbent will undertake policy research, develop knowledge products, and support communication, partnership-building and resource mobilization. The incumbent will also lead in developing a potential new phase of the project and managing donor communications for the same.

S/he acts under the guidance of the Programme Specialist, Crisis Prevention and Rule of Law (Global Business and Human Rights Advisor, UNDP). S/he works with teams across the Regional Hub, Country Offices, Global Policy Centers and the UN system to ensure the execution of quality and coherent policy and project advisory services within their region and alignment with the Strategic Plan. S/he is responsible for performing and contributing to the following:

  • Project Management (including the closure of the project)
  • Research, Knowledge Management, and Technical Support
  • Communication, Partnership-Building, and support for Resource Mobilization
  • Supervision of Staff
Key Duties and Accountabilities

Summary of key functions:

  1. Project Management: Ensure day-to-day management and provide effective oversight and quality assurance of the regional project in line with the corporate policy
  2. Provide technical support through research and support knowledge management at both regional and country level
  3. Foster partnerships and ensure smooth communications and support to resource mobilization
  4. Manage staff based at the Bangkok Regional Hub and project staff at the country level  

Project Management and Project completion Report

  • Leads project management through effective planning, administration, monitoring and coordination with partners;
  • Manages the delivery of the Annual Work Plan and day-to-day project activities to ensure prompt and adequate result achievement;
  • Ensure 100% delivery of the project outpts and lead the project completion report
  • Provide oversight and guidance for the final evaluation of the project and prepare management's response to the final evaluation;
  • Conduct expert visits to focus countries in Asia and the Pacific to provide high-level advice to government agencies, private sector actors, UN system entities, regional organizations, civil society, and National Human Rights Institutions;
  • Provide analytical inputs on Business and Human Rights National Action Plans, legislation, strategies and initiatives;
  • Draft ad hoc and yearly reports highlighting key issues, trends, emerging opportunities, risks, potential project partners, and entry points for the regional programme in focus countries;
  • Provide any other Technical Assistance in the implementation of the regional programme at country-level
  • Establish continuous liaison and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective relationships, monitor project results and highlight potential risks to project delivery;
  • Draft Speeches and Talking Points for UNDP Senior Management (UN Resident Coordinators and UNDP RRs);
  • Coordinate work with other project specialists working as part of the Business and Human Rights Programme;
  • Upon Request, take charge of overall Project Implementation in the periods of absence of the Programme Specialist, Crisis Prevention and Rule of Law.

Research and Technical Support

  •  Coordinate the production of high-level research and analysis for policy advice and programme support that responds to the region and country office needs and verify that knowledge sharing and content management are in line with guidelines and performed using corporate tools;
  • Organize awareness-raising regional events on Business and Human Rights to exchange best practices, encourage a regional race-to-the-top to develop NAPs, and maintain momentum;
  • Liaise with relevant project partners to share appropriate resources; lessons learnt, and best practices;
  • Conduct training and workshops for governments, businesses, civil society organizations and academia on Business and Human Rights and seize opportunities to use the implementation of the UNGPs as an instrument to strengthen gender equality and promote communities rights;
  • Facilitate discussions on key country-specific issues that can be incorporated into a NAP;
  • Provide Comments on Base Line Assessments, and National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights;
  • Facilitate south-south exchange and peer learning opportunities to share best practices among relevant stakeholders;
  • Support Policy coherence among different Policy documents being drafted by supported Governments.

Partnership-building, Communications and Representation

  • Coordinate events with partners and stakeholders to provide high visibility to the thematic area and prepare policy materials, briefing notes and speeches;
  • Cultivate new working relationships with emerging business and human rights partners in the project focus countries.
  • Strengthen regional business and human rights architecture among UN agencies and partner organizations.
  • Assist with resource mobilization, including through the development of concept notes and project documents;
  • Keep up to date with other development partners working in the area of Business and Human Rights;
  • Support partnerships, advocacy, and capacity-building activities in the areas covered by the project to all stakeholders;
  • Represent UNDP Asia-Pacific and the programme unit in Global, regional and national events on Business and Human Rights.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

The Project Manager will supervise the staff based in Bangkok Regional Hub and national BHR specialists in project countries. In addition, the Project Manager will also supervise consultants and agencies hired to deliver project activities.

Requirements

Education

  • Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Law, Governance, Political Science, Social sciences or related disciplines

 Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

  • At least 7 years of demonstrated experience in implementing business and human rights projects in Asia
  • Experience in conducting research on development issues in Asia
  • Working experience with international organizations, civil society, businesses and governments in promoting respect for human rights
  • Experience of working with the UNDP is an asset
  • Fluency in English is essential, both written and oral.

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Core

  • Achieve Results:LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management

  • UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-functional competencies

Business Direction & Strategy
  • Strategic thinking - Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP's objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
  • Strategic thinking - Ability to leverage learning from a Variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

System Thinking

  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Negotiation and Influence

  • Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain an advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and create win-win situations.

Business Development

  • UNDP Representation -  Ability to represent UNDP and productively\ share UNDP knowledge and activities; advocate for UNDP, its values, mission and work with various constituencies.

Business Management

  • Result based management - Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
  • Partnerships Management - Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Technical Competencies

Peace

  • Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights - Safeguarding human rights and protecting vulnerable groups
  • Human Rights-Based Approach
  • Governance - Civil Society engagement
  • Gender - Women's economic empowerment, including labor issues
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
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