Human Rights Legal Counsel

Introduction to the job

We believe digital transformation holds the key to a better future. Without microchips, there would be no smartphones, internet or modern aviation to connect us. There would be no satellites to better understand our planet, and none of the medical technology that helps to diagnose and treat disease.

ASML is a key player in the world that makes that all happen. In fact, there is a big chance ASML is part of the electronic device you’re using right now, because we are a world leading manufacturer of chip-making machines. We provide chipmakers with state-of-the-art hardware, software and services to mass produce patterns on silicon, increasing the value of a chip while making them faster, smaller and at lower manufacturing cost.

Headquartered in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, we currently employ over 40,000 people worldwide, spread across 60+ offices. In 2023, ASML’s net sales added up to more than €27.6 billion.

ASML's Legal & Compliance Department is responsible for defining and implementing ASML’s worldwide legal and compliance strategy and bears the responsibility for all ASML entities worldwide to comply with international laws and regulations, in order to minimize legal risks and to maximize legal and commercial opportunities. The Legal & Compliance Department consists of a team of highly empowered, business oriented lawyers, compliance officers, ethics officers, privacy professionals, paralegals and assistants, working across the globe.

Within ASML’s Legal and Compliance department the Ethics & Business Integrity (E&BI) team is, amongst other things, accountable for developing, supervising and strengthening the Human Rights program of ASML.

ASML is committed to respecting and protecting Human Rights in its own operations and across its value chain. An expansive program is underway to develop a Human Rights framework across ASML’s global organization, which will support ASML in becoming fully aligned with the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and current and future legislation regarding Human Rights due diligence, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the pending Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.

The implementation of the Human Rights framework is driven by the Human Rights Committee, in which you will participate. The Committee is led by the Head of Ethics & Business Integrity.

The E&BI team’s key responsibilities include:

• Managing and monitoring the ASML Ethics, ABC and Human Rights programs on a day-to-day basis.

• Maintaining the ASML Code of Conduct and supporting documents, the Speak Up policy and the Ethics Office, Ethics Board and Ethics Committee charters.

• Acts as lead coordinator for Ethics Complaints investigations and cooperates with the investigators (as mandated by the Ethics Committee).

• Raises awareness and encourages understanding and compliance with the ASML Code of Conduct and Business Principles and ASML Speak Up Policy.        

The E&BI team is looking for Human Rights counsel to support the team in developing, implementing and monitoring the requirements of the Human Rights program for ASML.

Role and responsibilities

The position will cover our key focus areas and more specifically you are expected to:

• Further implement the Human Rights roadmap and execute on priorities across the organization in close collaboration with key internal stakeholders within the Sourcing & Procurement organization, Human Resources, the ESG Sustainability team, and others. This may, for example, involve engaging key stakeholders in various ways, designing processes, setting up and/or providing training, or coordinating/participating in various implementation activities;

• Maintain the Human Rights policy in alignment with other relevant policies;

• Monitor legal and regulatory developments on Human Rights and identify links to the broader ESG landscape, including climate risk and a “just transition”;

• Ensure execution of a periodic human rights risk assessment/saliency assessment across the organization;

• Plan and carry out periodic external stakeholder engagements together with the ESG Sustainability team;

• Work on continuous improvement of existing Human Rights due diligence processes in close collaboration with Sourcing & Procurement, Export Control and the Legal & Compliance Operations team;

• Perform due diligence and/or review due diligence outcomes in specific cases;

• Set up monitoring and reporting processes, in collaboration with the Legal & Compliance Operations & Processes team;

• Participate in investigations concerning alleged negative Human Rights impacts and oversee remediation actions;

• Provide input on Human Rights topics for non-financial reporting purposes under the CSRD and other reporting standards;

• Ensure appropriate vetting and response to queries and audits by external stakeholders on Human Rights topics;

The Human Rights Counsel position will be based in Veldhoven (NL) and will report to the Head of Ethics & Business Integrity.

Education and experience

- The candidate should be able to demonstrate solid experience in the field of human rights for business;

- Relevant working experience: at least 5 years;

- We welcome candidates with Bachelor or Master degree in Law, Human Rights, other (where human rights has been a key component of the course).

Skills

Working at the cutting edge of tech, you’ll always have new challenges and new problems to solve – and working together is the only way to do that. You won’t work in a silo. Instead, you’ll be part of a creative, dynamic work environment where you’ll collaborate with supportive colleagues. There is always space for creative and unique points of view. You’ll have the flexibility and trust to choose how best to tackle tasks and solve problems.

To thrive in this job, you’ll need the following skills:

• Ability to thrive in an environment of change and ambiguity in the law;

• Be a dependable and accurate team player;

• Know how to navigate in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment;

• Highly motivated and pro-active professional;

• Be able to handle multiple assignments simultaneously and effectively manage conflicting priorities;

• Great interpersonal skills and stakeholder management;

• Your English needs to be outstanding both orally as well as in writing;

• Good working knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint is required.

Diversity & Inclusion

ASML is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.

Other information

Given the sensitivity of some of the documentation which the suitable candidate will be handling, we will request a “Verklaring van Goed Gedrag”; i.e official declaration of ethical/good behavior which we can request via the Government.

Are you interested in this role? Please apply with your CV and cover letter, detailing your motivation for this position.

Need to know more about applying for a job at ASML? Read our frequently asked questions.

Diversity and inclusion

ASML is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.

Need to know more about applying for a job at ASML? Read our frequently asked questions.