Human Rights / Responsible Business Conduct Officer

DanChurchAid (DCA) Kenya is looking for an experienced and motivated candidate for the position of Human Rights / Responsible Business Conduct Officer, who can lead work with civil society and private sector actors, to promote Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) principles and practices to ensure sustainable development in favour of people and planet. The HR/RBC Officer reports to the Head of Programme (HoP) and is an integral part of the programme support team.

The HR/RBC Officer will be supporting DCA’s private sector and market-based value chain development projects. Primary tasks will include mainstreaming the human rights-based approach into projects and programme developments and implementation frameworks, this includes ongoing due diligence and monitoring of risks and challenges related specifically to RBC standards and expectations in line with international standards and expectations and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Officer will coordinate closely with the Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Unit at HQ and DCA country offices in Uganda and Ethiopia to enable further capacity development and knowledge exchange.

DCA in Kenya

We have been supporting development work in Kenya since the 1990s. We focus on the following sectors, through a rights-based approach:

• Resilient livelihoods and sustainable food security
• Locally led humanitarian response
• Climate change, gender justice and innovation

The main duties relating to this position are as follows:

Strategy, analysis and reporting

• Input to on-going strategy development process on matters related to private sector and responsible business conduct
• Read, comment and analyse relevant project and programme reports
• Develop a strategy for engagement on RBC at national level; with Regional Economic Blocks and with Devolved Units
• Contribute to international reporting processes
• Facilitate documentation, learning and evaluations

Policy, advocacy & research

• Contribute to implementation of a lobby and advocacy mechanism on responsible business in Kenya
• Participate in relevant networking events with key stakeholders for advocacy and collaboration.
• Devise and develop events, workshops and debates on RBC with relevant actors
• Conduct research and give inputs to policy processes
• Facilitate collaboration and strategic partnerships with resource organisations in the RBC field such as Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
• Facilitate collaboration and strategic engagements with private sector bodies such as KNCCI; KEPSA; KAM
• Facilitate collaboration and strategic engagements with relevant sector actors such as MSEA; Kenya Agribusiness and Agroindustry Alliance (KAAA); Kenya Flower Council; Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya (FPC Kenya)
• Manage and coordinate research activities related to private sector activities

Project management, development & fundraising

Project Monitoring & Evaluation:

• Support the monitoring, evaluation and reporting process of projects with links to RBC/BHR

Project Implementation:

• Mainstream RBC into on-going DCA projects
• Support and monitor implementation of RBC related actions, approaches and projects, including driving the development, review and adaptation of RBC action plans
• Assist in project implementation with active involvement (included in the budget) where possible

Project Planning:

• Contribute to project planning on projects with links to RBC/market-based development in coordination with staff from HQ and CO colleagues.
• Seek new project and fundraising opportunities on RBC/private sector development
• Responsible for the inclusion of deliverables related to RBC outputs and BHR components in private sector partnership projects.
• Explore new trends and directions within sustainable business models, ‘’greening’’, innovation, and learning
• Support due diligence processes for new PSE partners

CSR Procedures

• Responsible for developing and implementing RBC guidelines at CO level, and mainstreaming CSR into formats and tools (incl. screening of companies)
• Contribute to DCA’s dialogue with businesses and donors on RBC/BHR matters

Competence development

• Capacity building and training of local staff and partners.
• Devise and develop pathways for mainstreaming the Human Rights Based Approach into projects and knowledge sharing on RBC/BHR
• Advise and support to DCA staff at COs on ad hoc basis
• Contribute to learning and knowledge sharing in the organisation
• Support and facilitate development and organisation of strategic RBC activities (partnerships, research, knowledge sharing) between partner organisations locally

What you bring

• Experienced with human rights, business, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable development.
• Experienced in working as part of – or in close partnership with – an international humanitarian and development organisation.
• Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, Sociology, Gender studies, Law, Development Studies, or International Relations. (1st Degree with a minimum of 7 years progressive experience in Human Rights / Responsible Business Conduct work will be considered in lieu of a Master’s Degree)
• Willing and able to perform high standard research and analysis on issues related to RBC, as well as support screening and project development activities.
• Excellent proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Self-motivated, curious and enthusiastic team player. Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
• Cultural sensitivity, patience, resourcefulness and adaptability.
• Minimum understanding of the relevance of information and data management and its applicability to human rights work

What we offer

• A one-year renewable contract
• A very competitive salary and benefits package
• 4 weeks of paid vacation leave
• Comprehensive health insurance plan
• Learning and development opportunities
• An opportunity to make a difference and improve the lives of communities DCA is working with in Kenya

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Qualified and interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion or ethnic affiliation are encouraged to apply for this vacancy. Candidates must have the right to work in Kenya.

Only applications consisting of the below will be considered:

Cover Letter (max 1 page), CV (max 3 pages), and