Programme Manager, Built Environment

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.

Overview

The Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) is recruiting a Programme Manager to drive its Built Environment programme in the UK and across the wider region. The programme strengthens collaboration, policy, and practice on human rights in the built environment, particularly non-discrimination and inclusion, the right to adequate housing, physical and mental health, and construction workers’ rights.

If you have a deep understanding of the built environment sector, are passionate about rights-based social change, are experienced working with multilateral approaches, and have a strong track record of influencing policy within business and/or government, then this role is for you.

The programme has recently published Advancing Just Transitions for the Built Environment, showcasing two years of global research on human rights in the green transition and detailing toolkits, examples, and recommendations for a just transition in the built environment. We will now be focussing on operationalising these recommendations by working closely with civil society, front-running businesses, and policymakers.

You will be supporting the programme’s wider work, including increasing awareness and uptake of the Dignity by Design framework, currently being piloted in Bergen and Utrecht, the Built Environment Academy and other emerging initiatives, as well as being part of a wider IHRB team working on issues including migrant workers, shipping, commodities, just transitions, and more.

Expected Outcomes:

• Managing a UK network of front-running built environment businesses and civil society members to advance a just transition
• Effective influencing and advocacy to strengthen built environment policy and regulations at the local and national levels
• Undertaking research and generating actionable insights to support evidence-based decision-making
• Contributing to a strengthened, financially-sustainable Built Environment programme
• Successful alignment of programme activities in the UK and beyond with organisational strategy and goals

The Role

Title: Programme Manager, Built Environment
Reporting to: Head of Built Environment
Start date: November 2024
Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week) or part time (30 hours per week)
Location: Remote/Home-based, however the candidate MUST be based in the UK
Duration: Permanent, with 3-month probationary period.
Pay: £47,000-£57,000 subject to level of experience

Key Responsibilities

Working closely with the Head of Built Environment, other Built Environment team colleagues, and the wider IHRB team, the Programme Manager will advance the respect for human rights in the UK and Europe’s built environment through:

Stakeholder Engagement (20%)

• Managing a network of front-running businesses (real estate investors, asset managers, developers, construction companies), policymakers, and civil society organisations to advance a just transition in the UK built environment
• Organise and facilitating multilateral convenings, including stakeholder management, agenda development, logistics coordination, event summary drafting, and other follow-up
• Growing the profile of the Built Environment programme through strategic stakeholder identification and relationship management

Research and communications (30%)

• Conducting and synthesising research to generate actionable insights and support evidence-based decision-making across the programme
• Drafting commentaries, policy briefings, and other written outputs to support the programme’s work
• Collaborating with the communications team to increase awareness and impact of the programme’s wider work, including the Dignity by Design framework, the Built Environment Academy, and other emerging initiatives
• Supporting programme communications and multimedia campaigns by identifying key audiences, drafting content, and coordinating the work of specialist short-term consultants
• Serve as a programme and IHRB spokesperson at external events

Influence and Advocacy (15%)

• Identifying practical leverage points to influence policy and decision-making by business leaders and policymakers
• Through private dialogues and convenings, advocating for investors and industry partners to implement changes that protect human rights
• Coordinating joint statements and other collective public advocacy efforts to strengthen policy at local and national levels.

Programmatic support (20%)

• Keeping close track of milestones, deliverables, and impact under different workstreams in your work area, and implementing adjustments based on lessons learnt
• Using IHRB’s monitoring and evaluation framework, capture the impact of activities and initiatives, and implement adjustments based on lessons learnt
• Contributing to the programme’s overall strategy, including the identification and development of new initiatives

Fundraising and Donor Management (10%)

• Supporting donor identification, research and funding proposals
• Tracking donor deliverables, supporting meeting preparations and reporting outputs

IHRB collaboration and support (10%)

• Actively engage with other IHRB programmes (Just Transitions, Oceans, Gulf Sustain, and Migrant Workers) to ensure information and network sharing as well identifying opportunities for collaboration

• Contributing to the growth and development of IHRB by supporting activities outside of the programme that will enable IHRB to thrive

Skills and Experience

Key skills & experience

• Substantive knowledge: Excellent understanding of the intersection of the climate and human rights agenda in the built environment, the relevant UK policies, and – in particular – the role of business.

• Stakeholder engagement: Network of relevant built environment stakeholders in the UK, and ability to build and manage strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Business engagement: Demonstrable experience of working in or engaging with built environment businesses on issues of social and environmental impact, and a deep understanding of the effective leverage points for change.

• Policy influence: Proven track record of influencing local, national and/or corporate policies relating to the built environment and its decarbonisation.

• Research: Demonstrable experience of undertaking research, analysing data, identifying case studies, and producing compelling outputs such as commentaries, position papers, and policy briefings.

• Event management and facilitation: Demonstrable experience of organising collaborative, inclusive multilateral dialogue events which build trust and alignment.
• Communication skills: Proven track record of conveying complex information in English in a compelling manner, both in writing and orally, to different audiences.
• Programme management: Demonstrable experience of managing projects with multiple partners, including delivering on time and within budget.
• Commitment to human rights: Proven commitment to and understanding of human rights and social justice.

• Remote working: Experience in working with a hybrid team and in unsupervised environments on a regular basis.

Bonus skills & experience (not necessary but may be advantageous)

• Qualification: Further education certificate / diploma in a relevant field (design, engineering, architecture, real estate, law, human rights)

• Substantive knowledge: Knowledge of associated sectors / industries, for example material sourcing, supply chains, etc.

• Stakeholder engagement: Strong UK network of built environment investors, developers and policymakers.

• Business and Human Rights: Knowledge of business and human rights; expertise in ESG or other reporting frameworks for built environment businesses.

• Fundraising: Experience in securing grants from trusts, foundations, or major institutions.

• International: Knowledge of the wider policy framework relating to the built environment and/or business and human rights (EU Taxonomy, CSDDD, EPBD). Network of relevant built environment stakeholders across Europe or globally

Attitude

• Proactive and self-motivating: Proven ability to be proactive, self-motivating, and a team player
• Commitment to inclusion: Commitment to supporting an inclusive and diverse team, ensuring a supportive working environment for our global team
• Flexible and adaptable: Ability to adjust aspects of the work, timelines and working style as needed to cater to the realities of a small and nimble organisation
• Diplomatic and tactful: Treating others respectfully and sensitively regardless of personal biases or beliefs, acting as a bridge builder and peacekeeper

Timeline & Process

Click Apply and upload your CV and cover letter. In your cover letter you should address your suitability for this role based on the relevant skills and experience outlined in this job description.

In your covering email, please state:

• If you are applying for the full time role or part time role

• Your earliest possible start date

• Where you saw the vacancy advertised

Deadline for applications: 23 September 2024, 9.00am UK time.

First interviews will be held between 2-3 October 2024, via video call. Short-listed candidates will be notified and invited by email by 27 September 2024.

Expected start date: November 2024, or as soon as possible. A job offer will be subject to the receipt of at least two satisfactory references.

As part of our ongoing commitment to an accessible recruitment process, applicants with disabilities are encouraged to contact IHRB to discuss any support or assistance they may have during the application or recruitment process. Please contact Kathy McLeish via email – [email protected] – in the first instance.

IHRB is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. This means we will not discriminate against candidates or employees based on their protected characteristics.

Applications from unsuccessful candidates will be held on file for 6 months after the end of the recruitment process.