The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, an international non-profit human rights organization, is seeking a highly-motivated person to be its North America Researcher and Representative, leading our coverage of business and human rights-related issues in the US and Canada. The Researcher will be one of the Resource Centre’s 18 regional researchers around the world.

• Salary: $33,000 - $39,000 (dependent on experience) for 21 hours/week, plus health insurance
• Hours: 21 hours/week. The hours worked are flexible, provided that there is effective communication with team members in other regions and that the hours are spread reasonably throughout a week
• 1-year fixed contract, with possibility for extension by mutual agreement
• Location: New York City (working from outside of the NYC area is not possible for this position)
• Closing date: July 15, 2021 at 11:59pm PDT
• Interviews: Last week of July
• Start date: As soon as possible
• The Resource Centre is unfortunately unable to assist with relocation

About the organization

The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre is an international human rights organisation working to ensure that respect for human rights are at the core of companies’ business models; support communities and workers to secure their rights; advance accountability for corporate human rights abuse; and advocate to governments to create strong, enforceable regulation to facilitate these outcomes. Our Global Team of more than 70 people is based in over 15 countries around the world who work with a rich network of activists, unions and human rights groups, with our website and publications available in eight languages. We work across all sectors and issues related to business and human rights, with a particular focus on the rights of workers in global supply chains, the rights of communities seeking responsible natural resource use and a just transition, and the rights of people to accountable digital technologies.

About the Position

The Researcher will work closely with a variety of stakeholders in the United States and Canada to advance human rights in business and work towards eradicating abuse, with a particular emphasis on issues related to labour rights, responsible natural resource use, and technology and human rights.

The successful candidate will lead the Resource Centre’s coverage of business and human rights issues in the US and Canada by monitoring latest developments and adding them to our website, build new relationships with key stakeholders, seek responses from companies to allegations of abuse, and represent the Resource Centre at events in the region. Priority areas for coverage on the Resource Centre’s website include amplifying the work of civil society partners and human rights defenders related to labour rights, resource rights, and technology and rights in the US and Canada, as well as policy developments related to our priority programs and cross-cutting priorities, including civic freedoms and gender justice.

They will report to the Senior Programme Manager and Researcher who formerly held the North America Researcher position.

The North America Regional Researcher & Representative will have excellent research and communications skills and a deep commitment to advancing human rights and social justice in the United States and Canada. They will be able to work autonomously and collaboratively in a fast-paced team across multiple areas of work.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include:

• Play a leading role in the Resource Centre’s North America work: Develop a regional strategy in collaboration with the Senior Programme Manager, monitor media coverage and civil society work and post relevant reports and materials on our website; represent the Resource Centre at events; assist in the design and organization of events on business and human rights in North America; and act as spokesperson to the media on region-wide issues.
• Advance corporate accountability: Seek company and investor responses to allegations of corporate-related human rights abuses and liaise with relevant stakeholders to follow up on allegations.
• Conduct research: Identify trends and thematic research priorities in the region and engage in research to address gaps.
• Build and nurture relationships with partners and allies: Build, deepen, and expand relationships with peer civil society organizations and relevant coalitions to advance corporate accountability.
• Contribute to communications: Ensure high-quality information about business and human rights in the US and Canada is uploaded and disseminated through our digital channels (website, e-newsletters, social media, etc.).
• Collaborate with team members and fully participate in the Global Team: Support colleagues around the world to push for accountability from companies headquartered in the US and Canada for human rights abuses elsewhere and participate in global team meetings and processes.
• Engage in fundraising:  Work with the Development and Finance teams to develop projects and funding proposals that fit the strategic goals of the organization and the North America work; deliver funder reports.

There is no supervision of staff involved with this position, however this role may involve supervision of interns. This position is a mix of working from our office in New York City and independently from home.

Essential functions of the position include consistently operating a laptop, remaining in a stationary or standing position while doing so, and participating in several hours of video calls per day. The role will also involve periodically attending in person meetings in New York City and occasionally traveling to attend meetings elsewhere in the US and Canada.

Essential skills and experience

• Commitment to human rights and to the Resource Centre’s values: Strong, demonstrable commitment to and expertise in human rights, labour rights, women’s rights, economic and/or social justice in the United States and/or Canada. Demonstrable commitment to the values and model of change of the Resource Centre.
• Experience: Minimum four years’ work experience in human rights, corporate accountability, and/or social justice in the United States and/or Canada. Experience working in collaboration and/or coalitions with human rights and social justice organizations and/or defenders in the region is essential. Understanding and insight on human rights in business and the global economy is also essential.
• Excellent communication skills: This includes interpersonal communication and public speaking skills.
• Research & analytical skills: Able to search and identify relevant information online and offline; adept at undertaking systematic data collection at a high level of detail and accuracy.
• Organization and initiative: Highly organized and self-motivated.
• Outreach and networking: Able to foster productive, professional relationships with a broad range of contacts including unions, labour rights advocates, company representatives and government officials.
• Team player: Experience of working in high performing teams, working with colleagues to deliver high impact programs. Experience with remote, inter-disciplinary, and culturally diverse teams desirable.

The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre is a diverse, global team. We are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background and acknowledge that people from certain backgrounds are under-represented in this area of work and seek to directly address that through our hiring practices. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latinx, and other people of color, people with disabilities, and people who identify as LGBTQ+. Authorization to work in the United States is required for this role.

To apply please download, complete and submit the application form here: https://businesshumanrights.freshteam.com/jobs/TSEmFqB5u8gz/part-time-north-america-researchers-representative-remote

Kindly note that the application form is required; we will not accept CVs. If you need any additional support or accommodations completing this form, please reach out to dobson@business-humanrights.org.