All Things Urban

Founded in 2009, the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) is the leading international think tank on business and human rights. IHRB’s mission is to shape policy, advance practice, and strengthen accountability in order to make respect for human rights part of everyday business. IHRB seeks to embed international business and human rights standards within responsible business practice in a wide range of countries and industry sectors, working with government, business and civil society.

IHRB’s programme on Dignity in the Built Environment advances human rights throughout the built environment lifecycle. Focus areas include non-discrimination and social inclusion, the right to adequate housing, physical and mental health, and construction workers’ rights. The programme has a strong emphasis on centring these issues in the context of climate action for buildings and infrastructure (decarbonisation and resilience): to strengthen pathways for a just transition in the built environment. The programme advances two interconnected tracks of policy advocacy and project-level implementation, supported by research and communications.

The programme was initiated in 2019 with the foundational report “Dignity by Design: Human Rights and the Built Environment Lifecycle”.

We are looking for a dynamic Head of Built Environment to lead this programme through its next stage of development. If you are passionate about social change and human rights, have a deep understanding of built environment sectors such as finance, construction, architecture and engineering, a strong track record of programme strategy and delivery, this role is for you.

Key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Programme strategic leadership: Ensure delivery of existing donor commitments while guiding the strategic direction of the programme, in the following areas:

• Human rights grounding: Bring a strong human rights dimension into built environment decision-making spaces, including through engagement with rights-holders and civil society organisations (particularly those working on the right to housing, and workers’ rights).

• Harness public and private sector leverage points: With the Framework for Dignity in the Built Environment as a touch-point, advocate for integration of rights-based approaches from the earliest stages of the built environment lifecycle onwards, including in: government legislation, planning and procurement practices; financial capital allocation and portfolio engagement; industry standards; and project-level implementation (project plans, contracts, materials selection and supply chain due diligence)

• Building Dignity Projects: Oversee and expand a model of integrating the Framework for Dignity in the Built Environment in specific built projects, building on the two that are already underway

• Advance a just transition: Together with partners and the IHRB Head of Just Transition, continue building a global agenda for a just transition in the built environment, actively engaging in relevant national and international fora and overseeing the global action research and narrative project “Building for Today and the Future”, which involves deep-dives in eight cities globally, linked up to regional and international advocacy

Operational management and implementation

• Expand a dynamic network of programme partners and engaged stakeholders, through effective building and maintaining of working relationships

• Work closely and effectively with partners in the Coalition for Dignity in the Built Environment (in Europe, in addition to IHRB, these are the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, Rafto Foundation and Melbourne University School of Design)

• Responsibility for programme budget, donor relationships, deliverables and reporting

• Line management responsibility (currently Global Programme Manager and Europe Programme Manager), and work collaboratively with other teams, including on cross-cutting themes, programme-related communications and administrative support

• Oversight for the recruitment and management of consultants and local facilitators

• Ensure that the necessary systems are in place for effective programme delivery (such as contact databases, shared project management tools, and outcomes tracking)

• Represent IHRB at programme-related events and in the media; give presentations and moderate panels as appropriate

• Ensure alignment with IHRB’s commitment to the Just Transition and our other programmes and work effectively with other members of the virtual global team.

Fundraising

• Identify and develop new pipelines of funding support, for example from EU funds, development agencies and foundations, to establish a sustainable fundraising plan for the programme.

Applicants should highlight their alignment with as many of the requirements below as possible.

Essential:

• At least 5 years’ proven experience of leading effective and innovative programmes that lead to social and environmental change

• Excellent people-management skills, including emotional intelligence, ability to guide and learn from team members, to provide clear personal development pathways and to ensure strong programme outcomes. Proven ability to coordinate across teams and time zones

• Experience working in or closely with the built environment sectors: planning, architecture, engineering, construction, or related investment fields – including a deep understanding of how these industries work, effective leverage points for change, and climate and social equity challenges that the sectors face

• Knowledge of the international human rights framework and how this applies to business

• A proven track record in successfully establishing and maintaining strategic relationships and effective global partnerships

• Entrepreneurial and creative approach to problem-solving, tackling challenges, spotting and maximising opportunities, accompanied by strong strategic prioritisation skills

• Fluency in English, with excellent written and spoken communication skills including public speaking

Desirable:

• Deep familiarity with the built environment policy landscape in Europe and in one other region, and established networks of decision-makers in those regions

• Experience in successfully identifying and securing funding opportunities and negotiating funding agreements

• Demonstrable experience of successful budget and donor relationship management, and reporting

• Attention to detail and ability to maintaining a high level of accuracy in preparing and presenting information

• Experience of moderating panels, virtually and in-person

• Experience of implementation of pilot projects.

For your application to be considered, please submit it as outlined in the job description document.

£60000-£68000

We’re not fully sure whether this role is open to international candidates. If you would need visa sponsorship or work authorisation, we recommend checking directly with the employer before applying.