Director, Human Rights & Sustainability

Role Purpose

We are looking to hire a Director, Human Rights & Sustainability to join our EMEA team. This exciting opportunity could be based in either our London or Dubai office. The role is responsible for leading our Control Risks' Human Rights and Sustainability team in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. The successful candidate will apply subject matter expertise in sustainability and labour/human rights to provide advice to our clients in the region.

The role is focused on prospecting clients, delivering and project-managing consultancy projects, such as training and capacity-building support, gap analyses, human rights due diligence and risk/impact assessments, employment practices reviews and monitoring activities. It also involves managing and developing a team of consultants based in the region.

This role will require the successful candidate to be based in London or Dubai and regularly attend the office there, though Control Risks encourages hybrid and flexible working arrangements. A willingness to travel and a passion for working collaboratively and communicating effectively with colleagues across departments and offices is vital.

Tasks & Responsibilities

1. Demonstrating subject matter expertise
   - Demonstrate subject matter expertise and stay abreast of global trends and best practices in human rights and sustainability.
   - Provide internal and client updates on current developments.
   - Represent Control Risks to external stakeholders by presenting at conferences and writing publications and online articles on relevant themes.
2. Overseeing and delivering client engagements
   - Prepare proposals and client reports for consulting projects independently and with limited oversight, to a high standard of quality.
   - Lead or manage the delivery of client projects focused on human rights and sustainability across a wide range of sectors and geographies in EMEA, working closely with country specialists.
   - Collaborate with colleagues in other departments to integrate advice on human rights and sustainability into client engagements.
3. Business development
   - Identify and build new client relationships through pro-active business development efforts; establish strong working relationships with clients through excellent project delivery.
   - Contribute to global business development initiatives and regional marketing initiatives as part of Control Risks' Global Risk Analysis team.
4. Team management and development
   - Manage and develop a team of specialists in human rights and sustainability based in our London and Dubai offices.
   - Set appropriate and consistent objectives for team members of different seniority.
   - Foster an inclusive, collaborative environment between team members.

Requirements

Essential
- Significant experience working with and/or advising businesses on issues related to sustainability and human rights, such as modern slavery, labour and working conditions, security and human rights.
- Track record of successfully delivering advice and reports in an in-house or consulting role.
- Knowledge of UN Guiding Principles and ILO conventions, and good understanding of labour rights issues and passion for the subject matter.
- Proven ability to write and verbally communicate with authority and clarity.
- Ability to work in a team and independently.
- Ability to work across a range of sectors and geographies.
- Willingness to travel for work on short trips in the EMEA region.
Useful to have:
- Experience in one or several of the following areas: developing human rights policies and implementation guidance; conducting human rights due diligence; delivering human rights impact assessments; delivering labour audits.
- Experience conducting business development, proven track record of winning work (or funding), managing projects, and developing/maintaining client relationships.
- Proven experience managing small teams or individuals.
- Fluency in languages spoken in the EMEA region.

Benefits

Control Risks offers a competitively positioned compensation and benefits package that is transparent and summarised in the full job offer. We operate a discretionary global bonus scheme that incentivises, and rewards individuals based on company and individual performance. Control Risks supports hybrid working arrangements, wherever possible, that emphasise the value of in-person time together - in the office and with our clients - while continuing to support flexible and remote working.

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us and are fully committed to equal treatment, free from discrimination, of all candidates throughout our recruitment process.