Job Title: ESG Standards Development Expert - Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights in Business, Strategic Partnerships Branch
Contract type: Individual consultancy
Closing date: 31 May 2023
Duty Station: Remote
Purpose of consultancy:
As the world's largest economic force, the private sector is uniquely positioned to drive positive social impact through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within its own organizations and beyond. Businesses can be key allies for delivering information and services that ensure sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) for all stakeholders in their operations.
Recognizing the pivotal role for the private sector to mainstream sexual reproductive health in the workplace, UNFPA and partners are working together under the umbrella of the “Coalition for Reproductive Justice in Business” to advance and mainstream SRHR, women’s economic empowerment and gender equality within corporate strategy and operations. The coalition is working towards (1) building a coalition of actors leading the integration of SRHR and gender equality in business models and processes; (2) Collecting data to build the business case, inform the development of metrics and standards; (3) developing a comprehensive menu of options on what the private sector can do to contribute to the ICPD agenda; and (4) developing a roadmap of milestones to convene and raise the profile of SRHR in the private sector.
In order to track progress and strides made by companies investing in women’s health, it is critical that they share data and report transparently on this issue. Transparency in reporting and the disclosure of information on a company’s sustainability practices is increasingly becoming a crucial element of business. This has led to the emergence of practices on Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) which expand beyond traditional corporate social responsibility.
The ESG Standards Development Expert - Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights in Business consultant will be responsible to provide the technical expertise to develop metrics and indicators on women’s health and SRHR and lead the outreach strategy of the Coalition to ensure widespread validation and endorsement of the SRHR metrics as a critical piece of ESG performance targets and reporting in the private sector.
Under the overall direction of the Chief of the Strategic Partnerships Branch, the consultant will lead the development of a comprehensive strategy to embed SRHR metrics and indicators in ESG to support the mandate for the Coalition for Reproductive Justice in Business to mainstream SRHR in the workplace and corporate strategy and operations.
Specifically, the consultant will perform the following activities:
- Provide Technical assistance to the design and implementation of metrics and indicators on sexual reproductive health and rights to be embedded in ESG standards
- Support the expansion of the network of companies the Coalition reaches, leading the outreach to companies to validate and endorse SRHR metrics and indicators
Deliverables:
- Report outlining the metrics and standards to be incorporated into leading ESG frameworks and codes. Report to be inclusive of a comprehensive strategy outlining the process and approach, resources, stakeholders required to successfully incorporate SRHR into leading ESG reporting frameworks
- Strategy and roadmap for the expansion of company networks and outreach to companies for the validation and endorsement of the standards
The deliverables will be provided through electronic copies of all documents.
The consultant will report to the Coordinator for the Coalition for Reproductive Justice in Business under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Strategic Partnerships Branch.
Duration:
This is a part-time consultancy with a duration of 5 months.
Expected Travel:
Travelling may be required depending on relevant tasks of the portfolio and will be decided with the consultant on a regular basis.
Required Expertise and Qualifications:
Educational Background:
A masters degree in health economics, economics or related field with demonstrated practical experience in public/international health with a focus on private sector engagement
Work Experience and Competencies
- Minimum 5 years of experience or similar in working on projects involving research and analysis, auditing processes, with a focus on environmental, social, and economic sustainability issues.
- In-depth technical knowledge of and experience around ESG frameworks, sustainability and impact reporting, auditing procedures and standards development processes
- Proven track record, experience working with corporations and businesses on managing and measuring sustainable development issues, preferably with a focus on women’s health, SRHR and gender equality
- Proven experience in managing and engaging with multi-stakeholder projects including facilitating working groups of technical experts
- Ability to work in an international and multi-cultural setting, and with remote teams
Language Requirements
Fluency in written and spoken English is a must, with fluency in one or more other language(s) an advantage
How to Apply:
Interested applicants should send an expression of interest (EOI) not more than 2 pages (11pt font arial, 1.15 spacing) highlighting relevant experience in delivering similar work with relevant links and a detailed CV with the subject clearly stated “Consultancy: ESG Standards Development Expert - SRHR in Business” on the subject line and email the documents to spb.office@unfpa.org, by 31 May 2023.
UNFPA will only respond to those applicants who meet the criteria and in whom we have further interest.
We are no longer accepting applications for this position.
