Result of Service

The consultant will develop a comprehensive mapping on the access to remedy situation in Africa, through a process of effective planning, coordination, communication, research, analysis, verification of information and engagement with relevant stakeholders. – Prepare periodic reports, briefings, and a comprehensive and well-structured final report, presenting the analysis, findings and recommendations of the mapping exercise. – Actively contribute to advocacy related to the use of recommendations resulting from the mapping exercise to strengthen accountability, including in policy and regulatory frameworks, and promote effective remedies for business-related human rights abuses and impacts in Africa. Actively contribute to the promotion of UN Human Rights’ Accountability and Remedy Project (ARP) publications on access to remedy in cases of business-related human rights abuses in Africa.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

01/03-30/06/2025

Duties and Responsibilities

The Business and Human Rights (BHR) in Africa project aims to build strategic and impactful business and human rights engagement, foster the implementation of business and human rights standards, and strengthen accountability for adverse human rights impacts in Africa. The project contributes to mainstreaming international human rights standards, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) at regional and sub-regional levels. Implementation of the project has been ongoing since November 2021 in several African countries, including through UN Human Rights regional components in Africa (EARO, CARO, ROSA and WARO). UN Human Rights is seeking to hire a consultant to work on Access to Remedy for business-related human rights abuses in Africa. The consultant’s primary responsibility will be to develop a comprehensive mapping on the access to remedy situation at the national level in Africa. Additionally, the mapping may include an assessment of the existing access to remedy mechanisms at the regional level and their functionality. The mapping exercise will be guided by the UNGPs and the UN Human Rights’ Accountability and Remedy Project (ARP), including its publications on access to remedy in cases of business-related human rights abuses, and will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of existing State-based judicial mechanisms; State-based non-judicial mechanisms; and non-State-based grievance mechanisms. The Consultant will; – Conduct in-depth research and analysis to develop a comprehensive mapping on the status of access to remedy for business-related human rights abuses and impacts in selected implementing countries in the African region, including the level of incorporation of access to remedy considerations in policy development at the regional and sub-regional levels. – Gather relevant data and information from various sources, including national legislations, judicial decisions, case studies, and stakeholder consultations, to inform the mapping process. – Identify key challenges and gaps in the existing access to remedy mechanisms, highlighting barriers that hinder effective remedies for human rights abuses and violations, while contributing to promote UN Human Rights Accountability and Remedy Project (ARP) publications on access to remedy for business-related human rights abuses. – Engage with relevant stakeholders, including governments, national human rights institutions, civil society organizations, businesses, and affected communities, to gather insights and perspectives on access to remedy issues. The engagement with relevant stakeholders will also aim to validate the findings of the mapping, which will be incorporated in a final report. – Formulate actionable recommendations for improving access to remedy and strengthening accountability measures within the business and human rights context in Africa. – Collaborate with UN Human Rights Field Presences and partners to ensure that the mapping report is utilized for advocacy in international fora, engagement with multi-stakeholder initiatives, and other interest groups on access to remedy, as well as to inform policy development at regional and national levels. – Draft and contribute to periodic reports, briefings and other types of communications, as well as prepare a comprehensive and well-structured report presenting the analysis, findings and recommendations of the mapping exercise.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced degree in law/human rights, political sciences, international relations, social sciences or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 5 years and above of progressive work experience in law and human rights is required. Experience related to business and human rights, including direct work experience in the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, focusing on access to remedy for business-related human rights abuses and impacts in Africa. Good knowledge of State-based judicial and State-based non-judicial mechanisms, as well as non-State-based grievance mechanisms is highly desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English language is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.