Business & Human Rights Resource Centre is seeking an EU/Western Europe Researcher to contribute to our work on advancing corporate respect for human rights and the environment by companies in and from the region, with a focus on mandatory due diligence and similar policy and legislative debates. 

Details

Salary:  GBP 34,000-37,000 or EUR 38,000-41,000 (the indicated ranges are aligned to UK and Germany cost of living respectively; if based in another location, the range will be adjusted down accordingly)

Closing date: 21 April 2024

Location: Germany (Berlin) or UK (London) preferred; co-working/office spaces available in both cities

Contract type: Full time (35 hours/week), 1-year (with possibility of extension)

Annual leave: 24 days/year

Start: As soon as possible

TO APPLY: Complete and return this application form via our portal. Kindly note that the application form is required; we will not accept CVs. If you need any additional support, please reach out to Bea Ocampo at [email protected]

About the organisation

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre works with diverse allies and partners to put human rights at the core of companies’ business models and end abuse; to support communities and workers in securing their rights and accountability for corporate abuse; and to encourage governments to create the right regulation and incentives to uphold human rights in business. We are a global organization rooted in five continental regions, comprised of a Global Team of 80. Global Team members work with a rich network of human rights advocates in ten languages, and place strong emphasis on our alliances with grassroots organisations facing often profound inequalities of power in protecting their rights. The efforts inform our ability to influence responsible business, investors, and governments for transformative change.

Our work covers the full gamut of human rights in business, with particular focus on three thematic programmes: just energy transition and natural resources; accountable digital technologies; and workers’ rights in global supply chains. These are strengthened by three cross cutting themes: civic freedoms and human rights defenders; corporate legal accountability; and racial and gender justice.

The position

The successful candidate will work closely with the EU/Western Europe team to contribute to our work in the region, with a particular focus on debates and developments around corporate accountability regulations in Europe. The Researcher will be responsible for updating and maintaining the digital portal with relevant news items and information on policy trends related to the region, engaging with European companies to seek responses to allegations of human rights abuse, both within the region and in their value chains, as well as supporting our efforts to promote effective implementation of (mandatory) due diligence.

Responsibilities

• Media monitoring: Conduct media monitoring online in English and German to identify news reports, NGO/civil society/trade union statements and reports, and policy development relating to business and human rights in the region as well as cases of alleged human rights abuse by European companies.
• Website content maintenance: Publish relevant items in English and German on the Resource Centre website, curate information, news and resources on online portal pages relating to Mandatory Due Diligence, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and Beyond Social Auditing.
• Company responses: Invite European companies in English and German to respond to allegations of human rights abuse and concerns raised by civil society about their conduct; maintain contact database information.
• Contribute to regional strategies and priorities: With partners and colleagues, support the EU team to implement our regional strategy, with a particular focus on the effective implementation of emerging and existing mandatory due diligence laws in Europe.
• Develop high quality written materials: (Co-)author materials for our website, including newsletters, blog posts, workshop summaries, guidance documents, briefing notes and papers.
• Outreach and representation: Help sustain and build a network of contacts in the region. Occasionally represent the Resource Centre at meetings, conferences and workshops.
• Administrative and project support: Assist as necessary with ad-hoc administrative tasks including donor reporting, organising travel and workshops.
• Team work: Participate in regularly scheduled Global Team and EU team calls, and ad-hoc calls and meetings as needed.

Essential skills and experience

• Experience: Experience working on business and human rights issues or in a related field; understanding of relevant international standards
• Research and analytical skills: Ability to search and identify relevant information online, and to synthesise and present information accurately with a high level of attention to detail
• Communication: Strong writing skills, including succinct writing for the web
• Values: Strong, demonstrated commitment to human rights. Shares values and ethos of the Resource Centre
• Team player & organisation : Able to work both independently and as part of a diverse (global) team, interacting in person and online, with good organisation and prioritisation skills as well as a proactive approach
• Languages: Fluent English and German (reading, writing, speaking)

The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre is a diverse, global team. We are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background. We particularly encourage applications from women, BAME (UK) applicants, people with disabilities, and people who identify as LGTBQ+ or Indigenous.

TO APPLY: Complete and return this application form via our jobs portal. Kindly note that the application form is required; we will not accept CVs. If you need any additional support, please reach out to Bea Ocampo at [email protected]