The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) is an NGO that brings together nearly 200 civil society organisations around the world. Founded in 1922, it is committed to defending fundamental freedoms and the universality of the rights defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Independent of any government and recognised for its expertise, FIDH works to strengthen mechanisms for the protection of human rights and defenders through advocacy campaigns, investigations into violations and legal action. In all its activities, FIDH integrates a gender-sensitive and anti-colonial approach. Its head office is in Paris and its teams are present in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe. FIDH also has delegations at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, the European Union in Brussels, the United Nations in Geneva and the African Union in Nairobi.
Terms of reference :
On June 26, 2014, the Human Rights Council adopted Resolution 26/9, which established an open-ended intergovernmental working group (OEIGWG) to address the role of transnational corporations and other business enterprises concerning human rights. The group’s primary mandate is to draft a legally binding instrument (LBI) to regulate corporate activities under international human rights law.
Despite the adoption of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) in 2011, victims of corporate abuses still face significant barriers to justice. Corporate operations continue to result in widespread human rights and environmental violations, often with limited accountability. While progress has been made through national and regional initiatives, these measures remain insufficient to address the global scope of the issue. Emerging due diligence legislations, though promising, frequently fall short of their intended impact. The LBI represents the most robust and broadly-supported international framework for ensuring corporate accountability.
Since the adoption of Resolution 26/9, ten negotiation sessions have been held in Geneva, involving over 100 states, numerous experts, and hundreds of civil society organizations (CSOs), including FIDH and its member organizations. However, the Updated Draft published in 2023 contains many contentious elements. While there have been some positive developments, the Updated Draft is seen as a regression in efforts to establish a robust and protective treaty regulating corporations. In the framework of the 10th session, FIDH outlined its detailed position on the Updated Draft.
At its 56th session in July 2024, the Human Rights Council adopted decision 56/116 in order to enhance the OEIGWG’s support capabilities. Starting in 2025, and for a period of three years, the OEIGWG will be authorised to hold up to 10 intersessional thematic consultations annually. These intersessional consultations will aim to discuss clusters of articles of the instrument that is currently being negotiated, in the view of building consensus among States and accelerating the negotiation process ahead of the 11th session. Held in person in Geneva, the consultations will provide opportunities for States and non-state actors to comment on the clustered articles through informal statements and to ask clarifying questions to the legal experts who were selected last summer by the Chair-Rapporteur.
Specific objectives of the consultancy
1. Advocate for an ambitious treaty based on FIDH’s legal analysis of the Updated Draft.
2. Refine FIDH’s legal position on key contentious elements of the Updated Draft following the 11th session and the intersessional consultations.
3. Provide recommendations and technical legal expertise to States and non-state actors so they can constructively contribute to the discussions held during the informal thematic consultations and the 12th session of negotiations.
Key activities
- Preparation and dissemination of technical legal comments on the Updated Draft ahead of the intersessional consultations based on FIDH’s existing legal analysis;
- Delivery of comments and key recommendations during the intersessional thematic consultations;
- Targeted advocacy with Member States and relevant actors on key legal issues;
- Participation in the three intersessional consultations (online and in person) and to the 12th session.
Desired profile
- Business and human rights expertise
◦ At least 10 years of work experience as a legal, policy, and strategy expert in business and human rights.
◦ Previous experiences providing legal advice to human rights NGOs in international norm-setting contexts.
- Research and analytical skills
◦ Extensive research and drafting skills.
◦ Ability to critically analyse gaps in a draft legislation and propose recommendations to strengthen human rights and environmental protection.
- Advocacy and communication skills
◦ Previous advocacy experiences campaigning on human rights.
◦ Excellent writing and speaking skills in English and in Spanish or French (C1 level).
- Values
◦ Strong, demonstrated commitment to economic justice and human rights in alignment with FIDH’s values.
Timeline
Starting date: 02 February 2026
End date: 31 October 2026
Budget: 9 800 EUR.
Estimated working days: 17 days in total.
Location: remote and in Geneva, Switzerland.
If you are interested, please send your CV and Motivation letter to mondialisation@fidh.org with CONSULTANCY-MONDIALISATION in the subject line, before January 26, 2026.
Interviews will be held as applications are received.
Only candidates whose applications have been accepted will be contacted.
In order to comply with regulations concerning financial sanctions against CSOs/NGOs adopted by the United Nations, the European Union and France, the person selected for the position will be screened against the Single Asset Freeze List.
