French speaking Prison Systems Adviser

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.

Purpose

The Prison Systems Advisor plays a pivotal role in assessing, developing and optimizing strategies within the correctional facilities to ensure efficient operations, inmate rehabilitation, and adherence to legal and ethical standards.

At the ICRC delegation level, under the supervision of the ICRC Protection Coordinator, you will be responsible to support the detention team in their relations and activities with the prison authorities.

Initially, you will be familiarizing yourself with the criminal justice aspects of the countries you work in, including through visiting the places of detention to which the ICRC has access. Subsequently, you will be making visits as required in order to maintain an updated picture of the situation and to assess the impact of initiatives undertaken on the lives of detainees. 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 Prison 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 implementation of any prison management development projects at local or regional levels.

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
• Join/conduct detention visits with/in support to the detention team, and, by doing so, increase the 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 reports, end of mission report, 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

Duties with the authorities

• 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

Required Professional Experience

• At least 10 years of experience in senior management/policy roles within places of detention or related criminal justice systems
• 2 years of experience in conducting analyses of detention in conflict affected and fragile states is an asset
• Experience and expertise in building capacity at both the policy and operational levels, in project and change management, for mid to long-term planning processes and for reform/development plans
• Experience in developing multi-disciplinary activities, strategies and teams
• Confirmed experience in fostering compliance with international standards and promoting good practice in detention and criminal justice systems
• Knowledge of International Humanitarian Law is an asset
• Experience of conflict/post conflict setting an asset
• Comprehensive knowledge of the main problems and current debates relating to detention and criminal justice, in the academic and professional realms (in particular, non-custodial measures and sanctions, mental health, sentence management, overcrowding, drugs and detention, and vulnerable groups)
• Experience in developing strategy; addressing issues related to overcrowding (mitigating its consequences but also acting on its legal and judicial causes); and supporting the design, and construction of the prison estate would be valuable
• Experience in working in different parts of the world and/or a wide network in these areas would be an asset

Desired profile, skills and background

• Certified from a Penitentiary school, or advanced degree in Social Sciences, Management Criminal Justice, criminology or related fields
• Strong communication skills, and excellent interpersonal skills (mentoring, influencing and negotiating)
• Analytical, strategic planning and organizational skills and ability to interpret complex data sets to inform decision making processes
• Strong humanitarian work motivation
• Able to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment
• Excellent command of English and French (C1 level)
• Good command of IT tools
• Readiness and flexibility to travel across delegations
• Willingness to resettle for long missions (24 to 48 months) overseas in difficult conditions

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)
• Candidates must be prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for at least the first 6 months of employment

Our Values

At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values. For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this page.

What we offer

• Rewarding and impactful work in a multicultural humanitarian environment
• ICRC staff integration course and opportunities for further in-house training
• A competitive employment package with attractive social benefits including but not limited to a monthly salary paid thirteen times, a robust pension plan, medical and accident insurance coverage, plus other benefits
• Opportunity to join ICRC’s talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere
• Annual paid leave: 20–27.5 days
• All assignments are categorised into four levels of hardship, some of which are compensated with financial incentives and extra leave
• Accommodation provided and covered by ICRC

Additionnal information

• Location: Global deployment
• Type of contract: Basic open-ended
• Activity rate: 100%
• Grade: C1
• Application deadline: 07th March 2024