Manager – Human Rights & Social Impact at Khazna Data Centers

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Manager – Human Rights & Social Impact at Khazna Data Centers

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Bachelor's degree in Law, Sustainability, ESG, Human Rights, Business, or a related field; postgraduate qualification or professional certification in ESG, Human Rights, or Compliance is an advantage; 7–10 years of experience in Human Rights, ESG, Sustainability, Compliance, or Risk & Governance; experience in human rights due diligence, supply chain risk management, and worker welfare initiatives; familiarity with ESG and supplier assessment platforms such as EcoVadis, Sedex, or similar tools; knowledge of international human rights and ESG frameworks (UNGPs, OECD, IFC, CSRD/ESRS); experience working in cross-functional, multi‑stakeholder environments with Legal, Procurement, HR, HSE, and project teams; strong understanding of responsible business practices, labour standards, and social impact principles; excellent analytical, documentation, reporting, and stakeholder management skills; strong communication, problem‑solving, coordination, and the ability to influence and drive compliance across the business.

Job

Full Opportunity Brief

In the fast‑evolving landscape of Middle Eastern business, the convergence of law, sustainability, and corporate governance is no longer a niche conversation—it is the new boardroom imperative. Khazna Data Centers , the region's leading wholesale data center provider since 2012, is now hiring a Manager – Human Rights & Social Impact in Dubai. This is far more than a compliance checkbox role; it sits at the intersection of legal risk, ESG strategy, and operational ethics, offering a rare opportunity for legal professionals to shape how one of the most critical infrastructure sectors in the MENA region treats its people and communities.

Why This Role Matters in the Age of ESG Accountability

Data centers are the invisible engines of the digital economy. But their physical construction and operation bring serious human rights exposures—labour conditions in supply chains, community displacement risks, worker safety, and modern slavery concerns. As global regulators tighten frameworks like the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), companies like Khazna must demonstrate credible due diligence, not just on paper but in practice. This role is a direct response to that pressure, and its location in Dubai makes it a strategic hub for ESG innovation in the Gulf.

“Khazna has become the leading wholesale data center provider in the Middle East and North Africa, delivering reliable and scalable infrastructure to support the region’s growing digital ecosystem.” – Khazna Data Centers

The job posting explicitly calls for expertise in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), OECD Due Diligence Guidance, IFC Performance Standards, and CSRD/ESRS—a sign that Khazna is aligning itself with global best practice. For legal professionals, this is a unique chance to move from traditional law firm work into a high-impact corporate role where every day involves translating regulatory requirements into operational processes, supplier contracts, and audit-ready governance documentation.

Breaking Down the Manager – Human Rights & Social Impact Role

The position is situated in Khazna’s ESG Program Management department and reports into a matrixed environment that touches Legal, Compliance, Procurement, HSE, HR, Engineering, and international teams. The core accountabilities reflect a deliberately broad mandate, but they cluster around three central pillars:

• Coordinate human rights risk assessments, issue identification, monitoring, and remediation tracking.
• Implement risk-based due diligence across operations, supply chains, and expansion projects.
• Conduct supplier audits and assess risks in high-risk geographies.
• Translate international frameworks (UNGPs, OECD, IFC, CSRD/ESRS) into practical internal policies.

2. Social Impact & Community Engagement

• Coordinate Social Impact Assessments (SIAs) and community needs assessments.
• Lead stakeholder engagement with local communities, NGOs, and external parties.
• Monitor community-related risks and ensure Khazna is a responsible neighbor in every market.

3. Governance, Reporting & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Maintain governance documentation, audit evidence, and compliance records.
• Prepare reports for management and external stakeholders on human rights performance.
• Support external ESG assessments like EcoVadis or Sedex.
• Serve as the central coordination point for all human‑rights-related initiatives across business functions.

This is not a back‑office role. The successful candidate will be expected to influence and drive compliance across the business—which means strong stakeholder management, political savviness, and the ability to explain complex legal concepts to engineers, procurement managers, and construction teams.

Who Should Apply: Qualifications That Set You Apart

Khazna is looking for a professional with 7–10 years of experience in Human Rights, ESG, Sustainability, Compliance, or Risk & Governance. The educational baseline is a bachelor’s degree in Law, Sustainability, ESG, Human Rights, Business, or a related field, with an advantage given to postgraduate qualifications or certifications in ESG, Human Rights, or Compliance.

But the true differentiators are practical: hands‑on experience with human rights due diligence, familiarity with supplier assessment platforms like EcoVadis or Sedex, and knowledge of global frameworks such as UNGPs and OECD. Fluency in cross‑functional collaboration is another key ingredient. Legal professionals transitioning from law firms or in‑house roles will find this a natural fit if they have worked on compliance investigations, supplier contracts, or ESG disclosures.

The role asks for “experience working in cross‑functional, multi‑stakeholder environments with Legal, Procurement, HR, HSE, and project teams.” This is the clearest signal that the job rewards versatile professionals who can sit comfortably at the intersection of law, business, and social impact.

Career Benefits: Why This Job Is a Strategic Move

For ambitious legal professionals, this role offers a springboard into the higher reaches of ESG leadership. As companies across the Gulf ramp up their sustainability disclosures and responsible business commitments, human rights expertise is becoming a rare and highly transferable commodity. After a few years as Manager, you could naturally progress to an ESG Director, Chief Sustainability Officer, or Global Human Rights Lead. You will build a portfolio that demonstrates:

• Direct experience implementing internationally recognized human rights frameworks.
• Track record of managing multi‑stakeholder engagements with regulators, NGOs, and communities.
• Ability to operationalize legal requirements into business processes and supply‑chain contracts.
• Exposure to the rapidly growing data center industry, which is central to the digital economy.

Dubai itself is an additional draw. As a global hub for commerce and increasingly for ESG innovation, the city offers a cosmopolitan lifestyle, excellent tax advantages, and proximity to high‑level decision‑makers across the MENA region. Khazna’s own track record—leading wholesale data center provider in the region—means you will be working on projects that have genuine infrastructural significance.

The Bigger Picture: Human Rights as a Business Enabler

Historically, human rights roles in corporations were often considered “nice to have,” tucked away in CSR departments. That era is over. Today, human rights due diligence is a board‑level concern. Investors like BlackRock and Vanguard increasingly vote against boards that fail to manage ESG risks, and regulators in Europe and elsewhere are mandating detailed reporting. In the Middle East, where infrastructure projects face intense international scrutiny, having a manager dedicated to human rights and social impact is a sign that Khazna is thinking ahead.

For legal professionals, this is a chance to redefine what a legal career can be. You are not just protecting the company from legal liability; you are building systems that protect workers, communities, and ecosystems. That is the kind of work that gives professional satisfaction a new meaning, and it is exactly why this position deserves serious attention.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is this role suitable for lawyers without prior ESG experience?
A: While a law degree is one of the qualifying fields, the employer specifically asks for 7–10 years of experience in Human Rights, ESG, Sustainability, Compliance, or Risk & Governance. If your legal experience includes compliance, investigations, or contract drafting for supply chains, you may still be considered. However, direct ESG or human rights due diligence experience is likely to be a significant advantage.

Q2: What are the key interview questions to expect for a Human Rights Manager role?
A: Expect behavioural questions such as: “Describe a time you identified a human rights risk in a supply chain and how you managed it,” or “How would you approach community resistance to a construction project?” You may also be asked about your familiarity with UNGPs, the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, and how to conduct a supplier audit. Preparing concrete examples from past roles is essential.

Q3: Does this job require relocation to Dubai?
A: The position is based in Dubai, so relocation will likely be required for candidates not already in the UAE. The employer has not indicated a remote or hybrid model. Dubai offers a generous tax‑free salary environment and a robust expat community, making relocation attractive for many professionals.

Q4: How can I make my application stand out given the high number of applicants?
A: Tailor your CV to mirror the exact keywords in the job description, quantify your achievements, and include a cover letter that connects your experience directly to Khazna’s mission. Highlight any familiarity with EcoVadis or Sedex platforms and your ability to work with cross‑functional teams. Also, reach out to the recruiter with a professional, concise note—this can push your application to the top of the pile.

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