Désirée Abrahams

Désirée has over 14 years' experience working for, and consulting to, business, governments, NGOs and UN organisations on responsible and sustainable business practice.   She is experienced in developing strategies, devising and implementing action plans, facilitating cross-sectoral and functional teams, as well as drafting reports and a number of practical tools.  Since 2008, she has specialised on business and human rights and in 2011,  founded Day Associates.  Her portfolio of relevant work can be found here.

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Business

Désirée has engaged companies operating in the oil and gas, mining, apparel, financial services, legal, ICT, security and food and beverage sectors. Specifically, she has advised on human rights policies, human rights due diligence including risk and impact assessments and grievance mechanisms. 

She is also experienced in developing and delivering training to a number of members of the UN Global Compact Network UK.

Government

Désirée has worked with governments. In 2011, she scoped the feasibility of the Swiss government joining the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights as an 'engaged participant'.  This included conducting focus group meetings with Swiss NGOs and interviewing a number of Swiss companies and government officials.

In 2015, she analysed the actions of companies listed on the FTSE indices (100, 250 and 350) towards gender equality for DFID (UK government).  

NGO

Désirée has worked for  human rights, health and safety and sustainability-focussed NGOs.  From 2008-2011 she lead the business and human rights team at the International Business Leaders Forum. During this time, she project-managed and later co-authored the ‘Guide to Human Rights Impact Assessment and Management’ (2010), a risk and impact management tool developed for companies wanting to embed a human rights perspective into their business.  It was developed in partnership with the International Finance Corporation and UN Global Compact. 

United Nations

Désirée has worked for, and consulted to, several UN and other international organisations in New York and Geneva including UNICEF, ILO, UNDESA, UNRISD and the International Commission of Jurists. During this time, she focussed on corporate responsibility, human rights and partnerships for sustainable development.

She worked for the UN Global Compact Network UK from 2014-2016 where she led its business and human rights work as Head of Insight and Capacity.