The Global Business Initiative on Human Rights

Member Peer Learning Director

Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies

My research focuses on how corporate sustainability narratives change our social reality by shaping expectations around corporate behaviour. The instrumentalisation of these narratives creates a discourse that challenges the ideational aspirations and practical implications regarding the role of business in society. This power to shape social knowledge ultimately influences the context in which both sustainability-endorsing and non-endorsing businesses operate.

PhD : Responsible Business, Sustainability and Human Rights

Teaching assistant in the Department of Political Science and International Relations for quantitative and qualitative courses at the graduate level. On the quantitative side, I run weekly lab sessions for Statistics I and II, as well as social network analysis, using R. On the qualitative and discussion-based, supported courses include core introductory classes on Political Science and International relations for Masters and PhD students, Comparative Politics, UN Peacekeeping operations, Strategic and Future Thinking, and Identity and Conflictuality in Sub-Saharan Africa, Social Origins of Mass Atrocities, Ocean Politics, Conflict in South East Asia, and International Organisations.

Teaching Assistant

Provide pedagogical and career support to BA level international students and for the Graduate Institute's mentorship programme. Run an "International Geneva Immersion and Outreach Programme" that includes convening and leading discussions with professionals in the humanitarian and development sector in the city.

Graduate Student Mentor

Leading negotiations with the administration to improve contractual and working conditions for all IHEID assistants.

President, Assistants' Association (ADA)

United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

I have been working with UNITAR’s Green Development and Climate Change Programme Unit (GCP) to develop individual and institutional capacities to advance green and climate resilient development in support of the Sustainable Development Goals on the nexus between environmental sustainability and food, human rights, and gender equality.

Climate Change and its nexus to Human Rights, Gender and Food Waste

Independent

Work on embedding human rights and social sustainability considerations in corporate value propositions to ensure that global agricultural supply chains are inclusive, help to improve rural landscapes, and advance the SDGs. In charge of developing and communicating internal and external corporate strategies and roadmaps, priorities, approaches, and collaborative field projects that support farmers in the adoption of good social and environmental practices. Supported and coordinated with internal functions, suppliers, and external partners working to make farmer livelihoods more resilient, improve food and nutrition security, strengthen food systems, and contribute to the overall long-term sustainability of agricultural supply chains.

Consultant: human rights in supply chains, labour standards, sustainability, sustainable development

Third World Centre for Water Management

Authored numerous research papers, briefs and project proposals on sustainability, economics, public policy, international affairs, development issues and trade, including two books on sustainable supply chains in India (dairy) and Colombia (coffee). Associate editor for the Centre’s publications, including journals, articles, and books for Taylor & Francis, Routledge and Oxford University Press.

Research Fellow and Associate Editor

Nestlé

Worked with the business across geographies and functions to help address issues related to the social and environmental sustainability of the company’s global supply chains. Developed, implemented, and delivered action plans and advocacy messages on all things human rights, sustainability, the Sustainable Development Goals, inclusive supply chains, equality, nutrition and food security. Key to this was developing sustainability strategies and roadmaps as well as crafting the messaging required for senior managers, and public affairs and media relations functions to engage with stakeholders, the media, civil society or concerned consumers. 

This work was only possible by actively collaborating with the many internal functions, suppliers, implementing partners, and external groups ensuring the company meets its public commitments. It also entailed identifying and activating opportunities for Nestlé to make a positive impact on society in areas by respecting human rights, creating economic opportunities for youth, empowering women, promoting thriving and resilient rural communities, nurturing diversity and inclusion, and protecting the environment. 

For a year and a half, I had the opportunity to help shape, coordinate, and steer the implementation of the company's global youth initiative: Nestlé Needs YOUth. I worked to mobilise the company's global value chain to help create economic opportunities for 10 million young people by 2030!

Public Affairs, social and environmental impact specialist

Wrote reference and foundational briefings and research papers Nestlé could use for internal and external communication to assess global sustainability challenges, risks, and opportunities.
Maintained the Public Affairs and International Relations senior management team abreast with the latest developments, innovations and discussions about the sustainable intensification of agriculture, access to food, the future of work, and the role of business in the development agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Economist

National University of Singapore

Worked with a leading academician in the field of health research systems, global health governance and research transparency & accountability to: 
- Map the biobank landscape in developing countries and the management of ethical considerations in their operations. 
- Develop a framework to assess the socioeconomic, political and ethical implications of private sector participation in advancing health-related agendas in developing countries.
- Research the ethical frameworks for governing the functioning of biobanks in developing countries.

Research Fellow

Independent  

Authored policy briefs and other publications on private sector business practices that create a ‘community of interests’ between farmers, factory workers, ancillary companies, and consumers. Research focused on social- corporate interdependent prosperity, the role of the private sector in fostering local development, enlarging the scope of corporate social responsibility, rural development and sustainable procurement networks. In depth case studies looked at sustainable coffee production in Colombia (June 2013) and dairy district development in Moga, India (June 2012).

Independent Consultant on sustainable sourcing and inclusive supply chains

WASMO - Water and Sanitation Management Organisation

Advised WASMO's Managing Director, Dr. Rajoiv Gupta on the design and implementation of local policies channeling national and international programmes focused on improving health, disbursing cash transfers, and income generating initiatives for women and tribal minorities.
Developed socio-economic and wellbeing indicators to assess the impact of Gujarat’s water supply system on health, nutrition, living standards, economic development and the enhanced role of women in society.
Monitored the implementation of income generating activities for women in tribal areas and conducted research on how to best integrate the goods they produce into local, national, and international supply chains.

Social development and gender specialist

UNDP

Local development specialist, ART Global Initiative (Articulation of Territorial and Thematic Networks for Human Development). Main duties included: liaising with multilateral donors and partner institutions and local authorities; assisting the International Coordinator, Programme Specialists and Technical Advisors in overseeing the Initiative’s progress in the 21 countries of intervention in Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Balkans; preparing strategic UNDP policy position papers, project proposals, progress reports, knowledge products, and academic syllabi for virtual courses on local development; and supporting the Initiative’s global communication strategy and resource and partner mobilisation efforts.

Local development specialist, project manager

I am an experienced sustainability and human rights specialist thrilled about finding ways to enhance people's dignity. I focus on anchoring human rights at the core of business models, protecting workers and communities, and establishing accountability frameworks that encourage responsible business conduct, offer redress to victims, and amplify positive human rights outcomes.

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