manager, human rights

Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia / Jakarta, Indonesia

Deadline: March 31, 2025

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 Manager of Human Rights & Social Standards (FPIC & Community Rights) will be responsible for all technical aspects of implementing the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), Community Rights and general human rights principles. FPIC is a manifestation of indigenous peoples' right to self-determine their political, social, economic and cultural priorities. It constitutes three interrelated and cumulative rights of indigenous peoples: the right to be consulted; the right to participate; and the right to their lands, territories and resources. RSPO has entrenched this important principle in its standards for the production of sustainable palm oil. The Manager will manage research, activities and programmes to develop and interpret the RSPO standards on FPIC and community rights.

The Manager is expected to have working knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and its intersectionality with human rights. The Manager is expected to monitor and keep abreast with relevant international legislations, regulations, directives and global movements that affect RSPO Standards. The Manager will also be expected to advise and strategise on general human rights principles which have a bearing on strengthening RSPO human rights and social standards.

KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead or facilitate the revisions of RSPO standards on FPIC and Community Rights including key documents such as guidances, procedures, related certification/assurance documents, towards ensuring that they are based on global best practices and contextualized for the Palm Oil industry.
• Act as the focal point and technical expert on FPIC, Community Rights and general Human Rights principles for the relevant governance committees, the RSPO Secretariat and stakeholders. This includes interpretation and providing guidance on compliance issues related to human rights and social standard practices in the RSPO's Principles and Standards.
• Lead the FPIC-specific committees for Growers and Smallholders when applicable.
• Facilitate training of RSPO standards, procedures, and guidelines to RSPO staff, Members, stakeholders, and to accreditation and certification bodies. Provide expert support and technical assistance to impact assessments and assurance related matters both internally (RSPO Secretariat and Members) and externally (third-parties).
• Responsible for socializing FPIC, Community Rights and related matters including developing factsheets, presentation materials, etc., where required.
• Facilitate research/analysis on gaps in implementation of FPIC, Community Rights and related human rights for continual improvement.
• Advise on the design, monitoring, and evaluation of sectoral research studies, and participate in multi-stakeholder activities in the areas of FPIC, Community Rights and general human rights principles (where relevant).
• Content development on FPIC, community rights and general human rights principles in terms of presentations, curricula for use on platforms such as the RSPO Smallholder Trainer Academy, the RSPO Sustainability College, etc.
• Initiate, develop and maintain close contacts with relevant multilateral and government agencies, labour unions, civil society organisations and other bodies concerned with FPIC, community rights and related issues to develop collaborative partnerships.
• Maintain oversight on key developments of human rights issues in the global arena that have a bearing on RSPO standards related to human rights and social standards, including EU-related legislations/regulations/directives and relevant global movements such as ILO, UN, and other international organisations that work on sustainability issues directly impacting on RSPO Standards.
• Perform any other duties reasonably assigned.

THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT

Education

• University degree from top-tier programme in human rights, political science, public policy, social sciences, sociology or its equivalent. A postgraduate degree would be advantageous.

Experience

• A minimum of 6 years' work experience, diversified and progressively responsible professional experience including at least 3 years at the management level relevant to the actual position.
• Experience in human rights programme development and political analysis, including the production of reports, analysis of human rights and written briefings.
• Experience presenting to diverse audiences is required.
• Working experience in the palm oil industry or agricultural commodity is an advantage.
• Legal practice may be advantageous.
• Proven track record in Human Rights work, especially on Indigenous Peoples' rights or Community Rights.

Technical and Professional Knowledge

• Familiar with human rights & social issues, particularly Indigenous Peoples' Rights and land issues in the palm oil industry.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and/or projects.
• Able to collaborate and consult with local stakeholders, particularly relevant RSPO members, relevant government bodies, worker unions and any other important stakeholders.
• Experience working in the area of livelihoods and community rights in Asia, Africa and/or Latin America, particularly in the palm oil provinces in these regions.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Other Special Requirements

• Ability to deliver work in a timely manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and interact with different stakeholders.
• High proficiency in English with good communication skills.
• Communication skills in Bahasa Indonesia and/or Bahasa Malaysia, Spanish, or French will be an added advantage.
• Ability to establish cooperation and rapport with internal and external parties of different backgrounds and/or nationalities.
• High integrity and a good team player.
• Goal-oriented and organised.
• Self-motivated and self-directed.
• Ability to manage a team under pressure.
• Ability to be flexible on the implementation of projects and meet given deadlines.
• Strong strategic thinking skills.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• IT and software skills such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Functional competencies namely conflict management, decision quality, action-oriented, dealing with ambiguity, functional and technical skills.

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 careers@rspo.org. Please state "Job Application – Manager, Human Rights & Social Standards (Community Rights & FPIC)" in your email subject line.

**RSPO is an equal opportunity employer. Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be notified.