Detention System Adviser - Spanish Speaking

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and 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.

As the Detention Systems Adviser, you will be responsible for support to the delegation(s) in their relations and activities with the prison authorities, initially familiarizing yourself with the criminal justice aspects of the countries they work in, including through visiting the places of detention to which the ICRC has access as part of the detention team and subsequently making visits as required in order to maintain an updated picture of the situation there and to assess the impact of initiatives undertaken on the lives of detainees held there.

You will also be focused on providing expert advice to ICRC operations on all detention-related issues, in line with the Detention Framework. The responsibilities also encompass supporting the adoption of policies at regional level that correspond with international standards and improve the lives of people deprived of liberty. The Detention Systems Adviser will help to supervise the improvement of the organization’s understanding of prison systems, by supporting the implementation of programs that address humanitarian issues in prisons.

This contribution will be used to ensure that the ICRC detention action and respective strategies remain coherent and relevant. You will support the development and implementation of prison management development projects.

Responsibilities with the ICRC operations

• Participate in discussions between the prison authorities and the ICRC delegations; support in developing/updating, and advising on detention strategies and activities aimed at improving treatment of people deprived of their liberty and conditions of detention
• Take part in detention visits and by doing so increase understanding of the humanitarian and prison management issues and deliver mentoring to ICRC detention staff
• Give briefings and deliver training sessions to ICRC employees on issues in the field of detention and protection
• Ensure a multidisciplinary approach by communicating closely with ICRC specialists involved in detention activities
• Help to build capacity to make interventions and to contribute to projects in coordination with the detention team
• Develop or strengthen the ICRC contacts with detention authorities, and/or other relevant partners (e.g. judicial bodies, NGOs and detainees’ families) in the country and in the region
• Ensure regular reporting of your work through quarterly, End of Mission reports, and eventually through an external report updating the analysis delivered to the authorities
• Support the ICRC in developing regional and global strategies. Also develop networking and up-to-date knowledge on detention by participating in conferences (local, regional and international) and other meetings where prison systems and penitentiary issues are discussed
• Assist (in conjunction with Headquarters) in producing guidelines for detention activities and support each ICRC delegation in the yearly planning exercise.

• Conduct assessments of penitentiary systems
• Assist authorities in crafting strategies and processes for improving the prison system.
• Coordinate training, workshops, and seminars for penitentiary administrations and, when relevant, other institutions in the penal chain.
• Advise detaining bodies on how to improve detention management and promote respect for human dignity in any Place of detention

• Advanced degree in Social Sciences or Management or Criminal Justice or Certified from a Penitentiary school.
• Strong communication skills, and excellent interpersonal skills (mentoring, influencing and negotiating).
• Analytical, strategic planning and organizational skills.
• Strong humanitarian work motivation
• Excellent command of English and Spanish (C1 Level) is required, Good command of one the following ICRC languages is a strong advantage (French, Arabic, and Russian).
• Good command of IT tools.
• Readiness and flexibility to travel.
• Willingness to accept unaccompanied posting for the first 6 months of assignment.

• At least 10 years of experience in senior management/policy roles within places of detention or related criminal justice systems, including international…