Manager, Human Rights

The Manager, Human Rights will report to the Director, Human Rights and is responsible for supporting the global Human Rights management team in delivering on its strategy and mission to embed Human Rights-based approaches across Novartis.
Our 2024-25 Human Rights portfolio is focused on 5 areas – Right to health, Labor rights, Conflict affected and high-risk market guidance, Ongoing Human Rights due-diligence and Disclosure and engagement. The Manager will focus on supporting this portfolio of work including working closely with the Director, Labor Rights as well for the first two years, to help support the re-build of the labour rights portfolio.
The successful candidate will be a confident and productive teammate who must have excellent project management, relationship building, and presentation skills, both verbally and in writing. The Manager should have experience working in a Human Rights capacity and be familiar with Human Rights-based approaches. We also require familiarity and experience working with the UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights.
Location: London, Prague, Dublin or Hyderabad
Major Responsibilities:
• Manage and lead where applicable the implementation of new projects aimed at embedding Human Rights approaches across our own operations, supply chains and business units.
• Develop and implement pragmatic advice and guard rails for the business on new areas of Human Rights.
• Participate actively in the development of the overall vision and strategic direction of the Human Rights program. Gather and analyse data to assess program impacts and gaps and generate learning that advises future programmatic outcomes.
• Inspire trust from internal and external collaborators, ranging from senior leaders to project implementers in various functions within and outside the company to identify, manage and co-develop solutions to address Human Rights and environmental risks.
• Support on drafting external disclosures, e.g., Novartis in Society Report, Modern Slavery Statement, website updates and other compliance-related disclosures.
• In collaboration with the team, lead the management of ongoing key Human Rights due diligence programs, e.g., raw materials certification, SpeakUp case monitoring, undertaking research and analysis, development of training materials etc.
• Monitor key developments and trends in the dynamic and constantly evolving field of business and Human Rights, especially the rapidly emerging legislation in jurisdictions around the world.

Must have:
• Considerable subject matter expertise working in the field of business & human rights.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and highly solution and impact oriented.
• A mix of “pragmatic idealism” that align business practices with international human rights principles while always ensuring the outcomes and advice are pragmatic and implementable.
• Strong project management and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work simultaneously on a range of projects while prioritising tasks and meeting timelines.
• Experience working in global or above-country cross-functional teams.
Preferred:
• Experience working inside a business on business and human rights, with a focus in the pharmaceutical context.
• Advanced degree or equivalent experience in law, human rights, international relations, international development, or related fields.
• Excellent presentation skills.