PRISON SYSTEMS ADVISER

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Purpose

The Prison Systems Adviser provides expert advice to our delegations on all detention-related issues, in line with the ICRC’s Detention Framework. She/he supports the adoption of policies and norms at the national and regional levels that correspond to international standards and best practices, and improve the lives of people deprived of their liberty. She/he helps improve the ICRC’s understanding of prison systems and shares concepts and tools to support the development and implementation of programmes addressing humanitarian issues in prisons. She/he provides technical expertise to delegations and national authorities concerning the management and development of all aspects of prison systems.

The purpose of this position is to enhance the capacity of the ICRC delegations in Rwanda, Burundi and Madagascar to support the national prison authorities in developing and implementing sustainable solutions to humanitarian problems encountered in detention. The contexts are very different and require specific and individualised responses.

Accountabilities & Functional responsibilities

• Participate, as required, in the assessment of relevant detention system elements (e.g. overcrowding, nutrition)
• Identify and analyze detention system related problems, trends, and policies; suggest and develop strategies in close cooperation with the detention teams
• Prepare internal analytical reports as needed (business planning, quarterly reports on activities and status of projects) as well as documents for external agencies as identified
• Define priorities regarding prison management issues that need development
• Participate, as required, in discussions between the respective prison authorities and the delegations regarding strategic and action planning
• Help develop the delegation’s network of interlocutors and stakeholders related to detention systems, including prison management
• Participate, when relevant, in prison visits, both to obtain an understanding of the issues in each context and to extend the capacity of the delegations in their undertaking of visits to places of detention
• Develop the delegation’s understanding of and competence in recognizing and making recommendations about prison managerial issues
• Participate in and organize seminars or thematic workshops on relevant issues in the field of detention and protection, with prison management and other authorities as well as with NGOs and other stakeholders
• At the end of the mission, prepare an internal report for the ICRC outlining the status of the work, lessons learnt, and proposals for the next steps as well as an external report updating the analysis delivered to the authorities

Scope & Impact

• Geographic remit: national and regional

Relationships

• At internal level, interacts within the Protection Department at the Delegation level and with all Departments involved in Detention activities and interacts with Prison System Adviser at HQ level
• At external level, develops and maintains working relations with individuals and institutions related to her/his function

People management responsibilities

• No people management responsibilities

Certifications / Education required

• Postgraduate qualification in social sciences, management or criminal justice
• Fluent in French and English. A third language such as Spanish, Arabic and Russian is an asset

Professional Experience required

• At least 10 years’ prison-management experience (management and development)
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in the field supporting the development of prison systems in post-conflict, fragile and/or developing countries
• Experience in conducting analyses of prison systems, in participating in mid-to-long-term strategic planning processes and in drawing up reform/development plans
• Project management experience
• Experience in fostering compliance with international standards and promoting good practice in detention and criminal justice systems

Our operational & field constraints

• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals
• Candidates must be in good health and will have to do a medical check-up prior to departure in the field
• Candidates must possess a driving license (for manual transmission vehicles)

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
• A two-week orientation course, two-week shadowing an existing Prison Systems Adviser and other opportunities for further in-house training
• Attractive social benefits
• Length of assignment: 24 months (extendable to 36 months)
• Join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere

Additional information

• Based in Kigali, Rwanda (40 %) with frequent field trips to Burundi (30 %) and Madagascar (30 %)
• Candidates must be prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for at least the first 6 months of assignment
• Starting date : as soon as possible
• Working rate: 100%
• Application deadline: 13 July 2018