Post Title: Human Rights Due Diligence Assessment Study

Contract

This is a International Consultant contract. More about International Consultant contracts.

Background

General background information relevant to the assignment

The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP) provide authoritative guidance for states and businesses on how to prevent and address business-related human rights harm. UNGP declares that corporations have a responsibility to respect human rights. This is aimed at businesses who are responsible for not breaching human rights actively, not being directly involved in human rights infringements, and acting with due diligence to lay bare any such violations. As set out in the UN Guiding Principles, human rights due diligence (HRDD) is a process for identifying, preventing, mitigating, and accounting for human rights impacts by businesses. It includes both actual impacts occurring in the present and potential impacts that could occur in the future. HRDD is not an end in itself, but a means to an end, which is respecting human rights and preventing harm. Without a clear understanding of how a company’s operations may affect human rights, there is a risk of failing to adequately address the overarching aim of the 2030 Agenda to "realise human rights for all". Thus, using due diligence as a tool that addresses the root causes of human rights violations, a business can, promote its respect for human rights, maximize its contribution to the SDGs, and support an environment in which human rights are protected.

In 2011, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) endorsed the UNGPs resolution, and the government of KSA is committed to the protection of human rights in business. Thus, companies have an important role to play in promoting the protection of human rights by respecting human rights. The Advisory Working Group on Human Rights under the United Nations Country Team in KSA and through UNDP KSA, developed this assignment as part of its strategic agenda to raise awareness among businesses in KSA to respect human rights and promote due diligence policies.

1. The objectives of the assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to support some companies in Saudi Arabia in their HRDD to promote their respect of human rights. The due diligence study will determine whether the companies are adequately and sufficiently respecting human rights according to UNGP and what measures can be taken by companies to promote their respect for human rights. In addition, it will bring about an overview assessment of whether companies in KSA are implementing key expectations of the UNGPs on Business and Human Rights. Furthermore, It will also assess if any policy, law, or regulation is contributing to the companies’ human rights impacts and if legal reforms can be adopted to prevent negative human rights impacts.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. The scope of work, which contains a detailed description of deliverables and activities

The consultant will follow the four elements of a due diligence process mentioned in the UNGP which includes the following

1. Assessing actual and potential human rights impacts (Guiding Principle 18)
2. Integrating and acting upon the findings (Guiding Principle 19)
3. Tracking responses (Guiding Principle 20)
4. Communicating how impacts are addressed (Guiding Principle 21)

In addition, the consultant will assess if the government policies, laws, regulations are contributing to negative business impacts on human rights to propose reforms to minimize potential human rights impacts. The consultant will investigate if KSA already uses due diligence requirements. The consultant shall propose a description of a range of regulatory options, which KSA might use to take the next steps in ensuring that businesses respect human rights.

The consultant will deliver the following outputs:

The consultant will write and submit a report detailing the following:

• High-level findings (or executive summary)
• Methodology of the assessment
• An overview assessment of whether companies in KSA are implementing key expectations of the UNGPs on Business and Human Rights
• Findings of overarching due diligence criteria
• Findings on the legal environment.
• Recommendations
• Annexes

The duration of the assignment

The consultant will be hired for 90 days.

1. The duty station and expected places of travel if any.

• UNDP KSA, Riyadh- KSA

1. Reporting requirements, frequency, format and deadlines.

The consultant will report to OHCHR-TCP, in KSA, through UNDP.

Timeline: 15 August 2022 – 30 November 2022

1. The approval process required to certify outputs prior authorising payment, and payment milestones if applicable:

The Expert will share certificate of payment where he/she needs to indicate achieved outputs. Then the certificate of payment must be verified by the UNDP top management. The Expert is advised to keep track of days worked and tasks performed throughout the consultancy assignment. Such documentation will support the payment process as deemed needful.

1. A clear and precise description of the selection criteria, including the required degree of expertise and qualifications such as specialised knowledge, language needs and experience
   1. Qualification:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in business, human rights or relevant fields.

1. Experience:

• Experience in BHR impact assessment
• Experience in due diligence assessment
• Experience conducting interviews with different stakeholders
• Demonstrated project management experience
• Full written and oral English proficiency
• Availability to carry out all activities
• Good analytical and writing skills.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and experience in handling web-based management systems

1. Language:

Language proficiency in both written and oral English, and a reasonable working Arabic language is desirable.

Competencies

1. Competencies:

Planning and Organising

• Inclusively develop a plan to set goals and targets for the Assessment Study
• Effectively and efficiently prioritise the delivery of the work to UNDP KSA
• Adjust work priorities to take account of changing circumstances
• Organise the time and resources necessary to deliver work
• Monitor the delivery of work against the developed plan
• Deliver workload in an organised and time efficient manner

Communication:

• Actively listens and correctly interprets messages.
• Understands assignment instructions and applies them as directed
• Seeks clarity and guidance when needed.

Corporate:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN-OHCHR and SHRC.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional:

• Excellent writing and presentation skills in Arabic and English
• Excellent communication skills, and ability to analyse diverse information rapidly from varied sources
• Acts as a team player, with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.

Project and Resource Management:

• Ability to produce high quality outputs in a timely manner while understanding and anticipating the evolving client needs.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently and produce high quality outputs.

Leadership and Self-Management:

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexity.
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.

Required Skills and Experience

1. Qualification:

The consultant should have a university degree in social sciences, international development, law, gender studies, or another related field

1. Experience

• At least 5-8 years of professional experience in training design and implementation, development of tools on gender equality, sexual harassment, gender mainstreaming, women’s economic empowerment, etc. The consultant should provide her/his own training module on gender-related topics.
• Experience in carrying out reviews of laws and policies as well as document reviews
• A solid grasp of Saudi social and gender issues
• Excellent writing skills in both English and Arabic as well as good communication skills in English and Arabic
• Preferably experience working with UN

1. Language:

Language proficiency in both written and oral Arabic and English.

1. Competencies:

Planning and Organising

• Inclusively develop a plan to set goals and targets for the assessment study
• Effectively and efficiently prioritise the delivery of the work to UNDP - KSA
• Adjust work priorities to take account of changing circumstances
• Organise the time and resources necessary to deliver work
• Monitor the delivery of work against the developed plan
• Work delivered in an organised and timely manner

Communication:

• Actively listens and correctly interprets messages
• Understands assignment instructions and applies them as directed
• Seeks clarity and guidance if needed

Corporate:

• Demonstrates integrity by adhering to the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN-OHCHR and SHRC
• Displays cultural, gender, religious, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional:

• Excellent writing and presentation skills in Arabic and English
• Excellent communication skills, and an ability to analyse diverse information rapidly from varied sources
• Acts as a team player, with strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure

Project and Resource Management:

• Ability to produce high quality outputs in a timely manner while understanding and anticipating evolving client needs
• Strong organisational skills
• Ability to work independently and produce high quality outputs

Leadership and Self-Management:

• Focuses on results tailored to the client's needs and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates openness to change and an ability to navigate complexity
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view