Researcher on the Human Rights Risks of Japanese Companies, their Suppliers and Partners in Kenya (Consultant) at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK

The consultant will work under the guidance and supervision of Kenya Country Office, with support from the JSB global coordination team. Specific results to be achieved by the consultant are listed below.

Produce a research plan in consultation with UNDP Kenya Country Office and JSB global coordination team:

•  Conduct preliminary desk research to identify available data and analysis concerning the operations of Japanese companies, their supply chains and partners in Kenya;
•  Based on preliminary research, draft an outline of the study, which shall be structured to include, at a minimum, the following: a mapping of Japanese companies and their supply chains brief profiles of leading Japanese companies operational in Kenya and their supply chains; an examination of the actual and potential risks of human rights abuses with which companies in these industries in Kenya may be associated with; and recommendations for measures to be taken to mitigate these risks.
•  Create a research methodology and structure, and outline the specific activities to be undertaken, suitable to accomplish the deliverables 2 and 3 listed below, including a list of potential interviewees. The primary method used for the survey will likely be qualitative (interviews and possible focus groups), while it is desirable for the consultant to use some simple quantitative methods used as well (depending on the availability of data) to illustrate the economic impact of Japanese companies, their suppliers and partners.

Draft a study on the “Human rights Risks of Japanese companies, their supply chains and partners in Kenya”:

•  Research and outline the profile of Japanese companies, their supply chains and partners, and the challenges they face in implementing the UNGPs, while keeping with the structure outlined under deliverable 1 listed above;
•  Research and report on the human rights created by key industries in which Japanese companies, their supply chains and partners are active in. The report should analyse the actual and potential impact of these industries on the human rights of workers, communities and other rights-holders, as well as on the severity and type of risks faced by companies active in these industries. Additionally, according to each of the three UNGPs pillars (“protect, respect, remedy”), it should present an overview of the state measures aimed at protecting the rights of rights-holders impacted by these industries (under pillar 1 of the UNGPs), examples of corporate actions aimed at respecting the rights of rights-holders and mitigating corporate risks (under pillar 2) and remedies available to address business-related abuses (under pillar 3);
•  Articulate concrete and practical recommendations on how to mitigate the risks faced by industries in which Japanese companies, their supply chains and partners are operational in Kenya.

Validate research findings and produce final report

•  Validate research findings and recommendations through peer-review, including by persons nominated by Kenya Country office, Key partners and JSB global coordination team;
•  Consider the feedback provided during the validation phase and produce the final report, in English, in a format and layout suitable for sharing with relevant actors (publication costs are not expected to be borne in this contract).

REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Academic Qualifications:

•  Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in law, governance, anthropology, social science, political science, or related discipline(s)Master’s degree

Years of experience:

•  5+ years of research on documentation on human rights/social and development issues;
•  3+ years of work experience related to business and human rights;

Competencies:

•  Demonstrated understanding of corporate impacts on human rights, risks created throughout corporate supply chains, and business and human rights issues in Kenya;
•  Demonstrated capacity to conduct multi-discipline, cross-sector and cross-country research;
•  Expertise in writing and documenting research reports;
•  Demonstrable research skills;
•  Results-driven, initiative-taking, ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines;
•  Ability to work independently or with very limited guidance.
•  Highly motivated with a positive attitude and problem-solving approach;
•  Good interpersonal and communication skills.

Lanuguage: Proficiency in English. Working-level Japanese is an advantage.