Training on Business and Human Rights Due Diligence

Across Africa and the Middle East, businesses are playing an increasingly important role in economic development, infrastructure expansion, and job creation. At the same time, companies face growing scrutiny over their impact on human rights, including labor conditions, land rights, environmental harm, and community relations. Governments, investors, consumers, and international partners now expect organizations to actively identify, prevent, and address human rights risks within their operations and supply chains.

Many organizations struggle to move beyond policy commitments into real, practical action. Human rights risks are often hidden deep within supply chains, contractors, and informal work arrangements. Limited awareness, weak risk assessment systems, and lack of clear accountability can result in violations that damage communities, reputations, and long-term business sustainability.

This course provides a practical roadmap for implementing effective Business and Human Rights Due Diligence in line with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Participants will learn how to identify and assess human rights risks, engage stakeholders, integrate due diligence into business processes, track performance, and respond to adverse impacts. Through regional case studies and hands-on exercises, the training equips organizations to build responsible, compliant, and resilient operations.

Duration

10 Days 

Who Should Attend

• Corporate compliance and sustainability teams

• Government regulators and policymakers

• Supply chain and procurement managers

• NGOs working on corporate accountability

• Investors and development finance institutions

• CSR and ESG professionals

Individual Impact

• Gain strong understanding of BHRDD principles

• Develop practical risk assessment skills

• Improve stakeholder engagement capabilities

• Strengthen compliance knowledge

• Enhance career expertise in ESG and sustainability

Organizational Impact

• Reduce human rights risks and violations

• Improve regulatory compliance

• Strengthen supply chain accountability

• Enhance corporate reputation

• Support sustainable business growth

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand international BHRDD standards

• Identify human rights risks in operations and supply chains

• Conduct effective due diligence assessments

• Integrate human rights into business processes

• Respond to adverse impacts responsibly

• Monitor and report due diligence outcomes

Module 1: Introduction to Business and Human Rights

• Human rights and business responsibilities

• Regional risk landscape

• International standards overview

• Importance of due diligence
  Exercise: Identify business human rights risks
  Case Study: Corporate human rights failure

Module 2: Human Rights Risk Identification

• Mapping operations and supply chains

• High-risk sectors in AME

• Risk screening tools

• Prioritization methods
  Practical: Create risk map
  Case Study: Supply chain risk exposure

Module 3: Human Rights Impact Assessments (HRIAs)

• HRIA methodology

• Data collection techniques

• Community consultations

• Reporting findings
  Exercise: Conduct mini HRIA
  Case Study: HRIA influencing company policy

Module 4: Stakeholder Engagement

• Identifying affected groups

• Consultation best practices

• Managing conflicts

• Building trust
  Practical: Design engagement plan
  Case Study: Community-business dialogue success

Module 5: Integrating Due Diligence into Business Operations

• Policies and procedures

• Procurement standards

• Contract clauses

• Staff training
  Exercise: Draft integration strategy
  Case Study: Embedding BHRDD in operations

Module 6: Preventing and Mitigating Human Rights Risks

• Corrective action plans

• Supplier improvement programs

• Capacity building

• Monitoring progress
  Practical: Create mitigation plan
  Case Study: Risk reduction initiative

Module 7: Grievance Mechanisms and Remedy

• Designing grievance systems

• Handling complaints

• Providing remedies

• Transparency practices
  Exercise: Develop grievance framework
  Case Study: Effective grievance mechanism

Module 8: Monitoring and Tracking Performance

• Key performance indicators

• Audits and reviews

• Data management

• Continuous improvement
  Practical: Build monitoring dashboard
  Case Study: Performance tracking success

Module 9: Reporting and Communication

• Sustainability reporting

• Regulatory disclosures

• Investor communications

• Public transparency
  Exercise: Draft due diligence report section
  Case Study: Transparent reporting model

Module 10: Future Trends and Strengthening BHRDD Systems

• Emerging regulations

• Technology for due diligence

• Supply chain traceability

• Long-term strategy
  Capstone Exercise: BHRDD implementation roadmap
  Case Study: Advanced due diligence system