Senior Executive, Human Rights & Social Standards (Labour Rights)

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 of Human Rights & Social Standards (Labour Rights) will support the Manager of Human Rights & Social Standards (Labour Rights) and the Head of Human Rights & Social Standards (HRSS) in the development, interpretation and implementation of RSPO standards pertaining to labour rights. The position will provide administrative, functional and technical support on labour rights policies, labour migration, labour market information and analysis, and emerging labour rights issues affecting workers and communities in the palm oil sector.

The Senior Executive will support the development and implementation of relevant standards, guidance, interpretations, tools and programmes addressing labour rights issues, including migrant workers rights, ethical recruitment, forced labour, freedom of association, child labour, gender discrimination, women empowerment principles, undocumented workers and other labour rights concerns. The role will contribute to the monitoring, analysis and continuous improvement of RSPO labour rights requirements and their effective application across the sector.

The incumbent will also assist in coordinating and implementing thematic projects, working groups, research and other initiatives related to labour rights, ensuring that activities are effectively coordinated, documented and followed up. The Senior Executive will work closely with the Manager, Head of HRSS and other technical specialists globally to support the effective delivery of RSPO labour rights standards, guidance and related programmes.

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 & Social Standards (Labour Rights) in the development, revision, implementation and continuous improvement of RSPO labour rights standards, including key standards documents, certification requirements, technical procedures and guidelines. Undertake research and provide technical inputs to ensure alignment with relevant international labour rights standards, conventions, protocols and recommendations, and support the development of practical guidance, tools and recommendations to facilitate effective implementation.
• Support the Manager of HRSS (Labour Rights) in providing technical inputs on labour rights standards to relevant governance committees and the RSPO Secretariat, including preparation of meeting materials, analysis, presentations and follow-up actions.
• Support the development, coordination and delivery of training and socialisation activities on RSPO labour rights standards, procedures and guidelines for staff Members and relevant stakeholders.
• Support the Manager of HRSS in facilitating and documenting meetings and activities of the Human Rights Working Group, its Sub-groups and designated projects, including preparation of agendas and materials, recording decisions and action points, and monitoring follow-up actions.
• Support the Manager of HRSS in the engagement, onboarding, coordination and monitoring of external consultants and service providers supporting labour rights-related projects and activities, including tracking deliverables, timelines and outputs.
• Support research, analysis and assessment of labour rights issues in the palm oil sector and provide technical and research support for due diligence, assessments and investigations, in collaboration with the Manager to the relevant RSPO units and regional Technical teams.
• Represent the Secretariat at relevant meetings, events, forums and technical discussions on labour rights, as required.
• Provide technical and coordination support to other RSPO Units and Departments on human rights and labour rights matters, as required, including research, analysis, presentations, technical inputs, responses, monitoring and impact evaluation.
• Support the identification, assessment and piloting of appropriate tools, technologies and approaches to support Members in implementing RSPO labour rights standards, including risk-based approaches, good management practices and practical implementation tools.
• Monitor and maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant international labour rights laws, standards, conventions, protocols, recommendations and other authoritative developments, including through close engagement with regional technical teams to gather and exchange information on emerging labour rights issues and implementation experiences.
• Maintain a structured labour rights regulatory and standards update log, documenting key developments, their relevance to RSPO standards and guidance, and potential implications for the palm oil sector, and share relevant updates and inputs with the Manager and HRSS team to support the development and continuous improvement of RSPO labour rights standards, guidance and Programmes.
• Undertake other duties and activities related to labour rights and human rights and social standards as reasonably assigned by the Manager of HRSS (Labour Rights) and the Head of HRSS.

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 in Human Rights work/research (e.g. gender, child rights, labour rights and human rights due diligence)
• Working experience in the palm oil industry is an advantage

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.
• 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

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 [Confidential Information]. 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.