Business and Human Rights Analyst, Sarajevo

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, working in around 170 countries and territories. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNDP is committed to helping the country through strengthened national and local capacities to carry out political, economic and social reforms and promote development. In line with its 2026-2030 Country Programme, UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) focuses on inclusive green growth, human capital development and accountable institutions and social cohesion. UNDP is fully committed to supporting BiH in achieving its Agenda 2030 commitments and advancing its European Union (EU) integration priorities. Across all areas of work, UNDP applies conflict-sensitive, integrated, and innovative approaches tailored to the country's development needs.

Accelerating Rights-Based Trade and Investment in BiH (ARTI BiH) aims to strengthen responsible business conduct in Bosnia and Herzegovina by supporting policy dialogue, institutional capacity development and practical application of human rights and environmental due diligence standards. The project responds to the growing importance of responsible business conduct for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU accession process, competitiveness and participation in EU-linked value chains, particularly in light of evolving EU and international sustainability requirements. The project seeks to address existing gaps in the readiness of public institutions, the private sector, financial institutions and the broader business support ecosystem to implement responsible business conduct in practice. Particular attention is placed on strengthening capacities of SMEs and relevant support institutions to understand and apply the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD), environmental due diligence and related EU sustainability requirements.

The project is structured around three mutually reinforcing areas. First, it will support national policy dialogue and development of a roadmap for a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. Second, it will establish a Business and Human Rights Innovation Lab and strengthen cooperation with academia and Business Development Support Organizations to develop practical knowledge products, technical guidance and the functional concept for a digital HRDD/RBC self-assessment tool. Third, the project will work with the financial sector to strengthen understanding and integration of Business and Human Rights considerations into risk assessment and advisory practices. The project applies a human rights-based and gender-responsive approach, recognizing that business operations, supply-chain changes and sustainability requirements can affect women and other groups differently. Gender considerations will therefore be mainstreamed across relevant technical assistance, capacity-building, stakeholder engagement and knowledge-development activities.

To support the implementation of the project, the Business and Human Rights Analyst will provide day-to-day coordination and substantive support to the implementation of project activities, including work planning, stakeholder engagement, monitoring, reporting and knowledge management, in close cooperation with government institutions, private sector actors, academia, financial institutions, business support organizations and other relevant partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Sustainable Growth Sector Leader, the Business and Human Rights Analyst will be responsible for the following functions:

a) Contribute to coordination and implementation of project activities

• Contribute to the day-to-day coordination and implementation of project activities in accordance with the approved work plan and agreed timelines;
• Contribute to the preparation and regular updating of project work plans, activity schedules and implementation arrangements;
• Coordinate with relevant government institutions, private sector actors, academia, Business Development Support Organizations, financial institutions, civil society and development partners to facilitate timely implementation of project activities;
• Support the organization and coordination of meetings, consultations, policy dialogues, workshops, trainings and other project events;
• Monitor progress of project activities and follow up on agreed actions, timelines and deliverables;
• Contribute to the preparation of project progress updates, reports, briefing notes, presentations and other implementation-related documentation.

b) Substantive and technical support on Business and Human Rights and responsible business conduct

• Provide substantive and technical support to activities promoting responsible business conduct, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and Human Rights Due Diligence;
• Contribute to the organization and implementation of multi-stakeholder policy dialogue related to Business and Human Rights and development of the roadmap for a National Action Plan;
• Prepare and review analytical inputs, guidance materials, knowledge products and other technical documentation related to Business and Human Rights, HRDD and relevant EU and international sustainability requirements;
• Contribute to the cooperation with academia and Business Development Support Organizations in the development and dissemination of practical tools, guidance and capacity-building materials;
• Contribute to the development of the functional and operational concept for the planned digital HRDD/RBC self-assessment tool, including coordination of relevant stakeholder inputs.

c) Engagement with the private and financial sectors

• Facilitate engagement with companies, SMEs, business associations, Chambers of Commerce and other private-sector actors on responsible business conduct and Human Rights Due Diligence;
• Coordinate and support capacity-building and awareness-raising activities targeting private-sector actors;
• Facilitate engagement with the Association of Banks of BiH, the Central Bank of BiH and commercial banks in activities related to the integration of Business and Human Rights considerations into financial-sector risk assessment and advisory practices;
• Facilitate dialogue and knowledge exchange between the private sector, financial institutions, public institutions, academia and other relevant stakeholders;
• Ensure the documentation of experiences, lessons learned and emerging good practices from engagement with businesses and financial-sector actors.

d) Gender equality, monitoring and knowledge management

• Ensure that gender equality and human rights considerations are appropriately reflected in the planning and implementation of relevant project activities;
• Support gender-responsive stakeholder engagement and contribute to ensuring that project activities address relevant barriers and risks affecting women, including women-led enterprises and women-dominated workforces;
• Support collection, consolidation and analysis of project monitoring data and information in line with the project Results Framework;
• Contribute to documenting results, lessons learned, and evidence generated through project implementation;
• Support knowledge management, communication and dissemination of project results and knowledge products;
• Contribute to identifying opportunities for further programme development, partnerships and scale-up based on evidence and lessons generated through the project.

The incumbent may be required to perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the successful implementation of the project and the overall functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-functional & Technical competencies

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements

• Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, human rights, business administration, public administration, law, international relations, political sciences, development studies, social sciences or a related field is required, or
• A first-level University degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration.

Min. years of relevant work experience

• Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional work experience in project coordination, private sector development, business support, human rights, responsible business conduct or related fields.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

• Previous experience in project coordination and implementation in development programmes or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Strong experience in coordinating and working effectively with public institutions, private sector actors, financial institutions, academia, civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders.
• Previous experience in providing technical support to private sector actors, SMEs, business associations or Business Development Support Organizations.
• Familiarity with responsible business conduct, Business and Human Rights and/or Human Rights Due Diligence concepts.
• Experience and proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages, including MS Word, MS Excel and PowerPoint.

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience working on Business and Human Rights, responsible business conduct, Human Rights Due Diligence, ESG, sustainability or related areas is desired.
• Strong analytical and drafting skills, including preparation of reports, briefing notes, presentations and other project documentation would be an asset.
• Knowledge of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and relevant EU sustainability and due diligence frameworks would be an asset.
• Experience in engagement with financial institutions, banks or financial-sector stakeholders would be an asset.
• Experience in mainstreaming gender equality and human rights considerations into project activities would be an asset.
• Experience working with international organizations or development partners would be an asset.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in one of the official languages of people in BiH (Bosnian, Croatian or Serbian) is required.
• Fluency in English is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

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