Mockshda Mishra

Human Rights & Sustainability Advocate Transitioning to ESG Management

I am an International Lawyer, with a public policy research and advocacy background. With a robust background in international human rights law, legal advocacy, and corporate social responsibility, I am seeking to transition into environmental sustainability management. My unique expertise in human rights due diligence, regulatory compliance, and multi-stakeholder collaboration positions me as a valuable asset for companies striving to meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets.

Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing human rights and corporate accountability. In my current role as a Modern Slavery Outreach Advocate, I manage complex cases, conduct risk assessments, and ensure compliance with international human rights frameworks. This experience equips me to guide companies through intricate regulatory landscapes, ensuring that their operations align with human rights and sustainability principles.

I have a proven track record of working with diverse organizations, from leading UN consultations on business and human rights to conducting legal research on investment agreements with significant human rights implications. My work at the National Commission for Women involved driving legal reforms, organizing capacity-building initiatives, and crafting public policy frameworks—all of which mirror the skills necessary to implement and manage effective ESG strategies.

With an advanced LLM in International Human Rights Law and a keen understanding of corporate responsibility, I am ready to leverage my skills in stakeholder engagement, project coordination, and compliance management to help organizations achieve their sustainability goals. My ability to navigate human rights risks, combined with a growing expertise in environmental compliance, makes me uniquely suited to help companies thrive in a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable manner.

Key Strengths:

• Human Rights Due Diligence & Legal Compliance
• ESG and Corporate Accountability Expertise
• Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration & Capacity Building
• Risk Assessment, Policy Advocacy & Regulatory Frameworks
• Strong Research, Analytical & Public Speaking Skills

I am seeking opportunities where I can contribute to and lead sustainability efforts, driving forward comprehensive ESG initiatives and ensuring that businesses not only meet compliance requirements but actively champion environmental and social stewardship.

Hestia Charity – Modern Slavery Outreach Advocate

October 2022- Present

• Managing client case load and ensuring each service user receives high quality support appropriate to their individual needs, providing information, advice, and practical support to potential victims of Modern-Day Slavery and Human Trafficking. 
• Assisting service users to navigate through the National Referral Mechanism via tailored journey plans based on clients' needs-based assessments. 
• Identifying and assessing risks and putting in place appropriate safeguarding measures in response to these risks.
• Advocating on behalf of clients to ensure access to their rights under the Council of European Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human-Beings.
• Creating a holistic and multi-organisational support framework to meet client's requirements by maintaining effective liaison with other agencies including GPs, Solicitors, Mental Health Services, Education, Social Services, Police, and other statutory and voluntary agencies. 
• Supporting service users to access appropriate legal advice with regards to their Immigration, Asylum and/or trafficking case, including support around criminal justice processes.
• Drafting official correspondence and support letters regarding trafficking claims on behalf of service users to the Home Office, or other partner agencies.
• Providing advocacy and mediation around complex housing issues, with demonstrable knowledge of housing and homelessness legislation, in relation to private rented housing, the Homelessness Reduction Act and homelessness eviction and tenants' right; coupled with experience of working with welfare benefits legislation (including welfare reform) and (Health and Safety). 

Business and Human Rights Project- Research Assistant-University of Essex

2021- October 2020- Oct 2021

• Assisted in the organization of the UN Working Group on Business and Humans Rights European Consultation on International Investment Agreements. Took minutes of the meeting and drafted the outcome report. Conducted research alongside a team compiling a literature review, the objective of which was to raise human rights red flags contained within IIAs and outline how they could be improved to promote and protect human rights.

The National Commission for Women, New Delhi — Legal Technical Expert 

February - December 2019

[Complaints and Investigation Cell]

• Handled complaints pertaining to gender-based crimes and sexual violence, domestic abuse, human trafficking and modern-day slavery. Managed documentation and filing for all cases registered at the commission. 
• Conducted inquiries and provided legal counselling and mediation services for walk-in complainants. Ensured timely execution of court-mandated redressals through liaising with the relevant Police Authorities, Government Departments and National Human Rights Institutions. 
• Organised legal consultations and conducted National Law Reviews for reformulation of legal policy in collaboration with regional stakeholders and civil societies. Compiled the recommendations and prepared the final Consultation Reports on property & maternity rights of women and labour laws concerning- female migrants, refugees & domestic workers; and sexual harassment in workplaces. These reports were tabled before the Indian Law Commission in consideration for Legal Amendments. 
• Supervised legal interns- assigned weekly goals and oversaw timely submissions. Provided legal guidance and mentorship where required. 

[Capacity Building and Media Cell]

• Designed core module of Capacity Building Exercises for Police & Judicial Officers and conducted the training workshops. 
• Coordinated National Programmes on Digital Literacy, Legal Awareness and Economic Empowerment of Women.
• Built strategic partnerships with various Public Bodies, Non-Government Organisations and Corporate Enterprises to disseminate public policy and develop implementation frameworks effectively. 
• Prepared press notes, briefings and communicated Chairperson’s/Cell Supervisor’s statements to print media.
• Providing digital development services through creating info-graphics, generating web-content and managing organisations’ social-media handles (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter) for increasing digital visibility and boosting public engagement. 

Chambers of Advocate Sanpreet Singh Ajmani, New Delhi, The Supreme Court of India — Legal Associate

January 2018 - January 2019

• Assisted the strategic litigation process by preparation of legal briefs, conducting research, drafting petitions, statements of case and witness evidence, analysing evidence, and appearing in court to present the case shadowing Senior Advocates. 
• Provided administrative support by managing E-filings, updating legal information and briefing system, and the court calendars for Senior Counsels. 
• Provided client counselling and oversaw negotiations with the employment disputes resolution team. 
• Prepared legal opinions for clients on general civil and commercial law issues. 
• As a member of the youth bar council of India, worked on several landmark public interest writ petitions on a range of pertinent Human Rights and Constitutional issues related to: Pension, fair-wage of and labour compensation in Industrial Disputes; Privacy and Sexual Offence Laws; Medical Negligence, Right to Life and Healthcare for children.

Nari Bandi Niketan (Central Prison for Women), Lucknow, India — Legal-Aid Volunteer 

May - July 2017

• Initiated the collection of digital data for creation of comprehensive of prisoner profiles and case histories as part of the E-prisons scheme which aids in preparation of the annual report and statistical data for the National Crime Research Bureau of India. 
• Spearheaded the legal education camps and trained women inmates to pursue careers as paralegals post release and rehabilitation to support the State Legal Services Authority of India in its advocacy and pro-bono work. 

SKILLS: Proficiency: Microsoft Office, Lexis Advance, Manupatra; Familiarity: Westlaw, SEDEX Advance;

Public Speaking; Conflict Resolution; Administrative Assistance and Project Coordination. Graphic Design skills: Adept at Canva, Snapseed, and Sketch

LANGUAGES: Hindi – Native; Urdu- Native; English- Bilingual Fluency; Punjabi- Working Proficiency

University of Essex, UK — LLM International Human Rights Law and Economic Relations (obtained a 2:1 Merit degree) October 2020 - March 2022

Dissertation: "The road to reformation: Can corporate ventures transform prison industries into self-sustaining ecosystems for actualizing human rights of Indian prisoners."

Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, India- B.A. LLB Honours (2:1 Equivalent Degree) July 2012 - June 2017

Asser Institute, Netherlands — Winter Academy Course on Human Rights Due Diligence and Responsible Business Conduct January 2021

United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Geneva —Certificate Training Workshop on ‘Challenges and Drivers of State Duty to Protect & Human Rights’ February 2021