Specialist - Immigration Detention Monitoring Program at Canadian Red Cross

Employee Working Location: Partially Virtual / Hybrid (Ottawa/Toronto)

Employment Status: Temporary Full-time (12 Months)

The Canadian Red Cross (Red Cross) – an inspirational not for profit organization, helps people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need and supports them in strengthening their resilience. As a Canada’s Best Employers 2024, we are committed to having an accessible, diverse, inclusive, and barrier-free work environment.

The Red Cross has a strong commitment to supporting people made vulnerable through the process of migration and provides independent monitoring of detention facilities in Canada holding individuals detained pursuant to Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) as a neutral, impartial, and independent organization. Through its Immigration Detention Monitoring Program (IDMP) the Canadian Red Cross provides independent monitoring of detention facilities holding people detained for immigration reasons and routinely visits detention facilities to monitor and assess the system of immigration detention, based on international and Canadian standards - to promote a protective environment in which detained individuals are treated humanely and where their human rights and their inherent dignity are respected.

In this role, you will :

• Plan and conduct detention monitoring visits in accordance with internal standards, including interviews with authorities and detained individuals.

• Assess and document systemic issues related to conditions of detention, treatment, access to legal services, and ability to contact family.

• Monitor follow-up actions by responsible authorities and escalate urgent concerns to program leadership.

• Track and monitor cases involving vulnerable individuals or incidents within detention.

• Draft site visit reports, regional quarterly reports, and national annual reports, ensuring alignment with program standards and legal frameworks.

• Present findings and recommendations to CBSA regional counterparts and other stakeholders.

• Conduct thematic research and prepare briefing materials on operational priorities, legal standards, and relevant migration trends.

• Build and maintain effective relationships with CBSA, facility management, and local/regional stakeholders.

• Recruit, brief, supervise, and support volunteer detention monitors, ensuring quality and consistency in their work.

• Develop and deliver orientation and information sessions for internal and external stakeholders.

What we are looking for:

• The minimum qualifications for this position are the completion of a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution in a relevant field such as migration, law, human rights, health or a related field, and a minimum of 3-5 years of job-related work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English is mandatory (other languages are an asset).

• Sound understanding of relevant international and domestic standards and law governing detention conditions.

• Sound knowledge of Canadian and international migration issues.

• Knowledge of key principles in protection (such as child protection).

• Demonstrated experience of working with migrants and refugees and cross-cultural contexts.

• Ability work constructively with authorities and local/regional stakeholders

• Demonstrated experience in program reporting.

• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Self-starter and able to work in an environment with ambiguity and be a supportive and productive team member.

Working conditions:

• Duties are principally conducted in detention facilities (maximum- and minimum-security levels).

• The incumbent will be required to travel extensively (in Canada) within and across provinces within responsible region.

• The job may require working non-traditional hours and the performance of on-call duty in order to respond to urgent cases or during major disasters in Canada.

• As we work with and support people (managers, colleagues, beneficiaries/customers, volunteers, donors and external partners) and communities in Canada and around the world, applicants whose first language is not English may be required to perform the responsibilities of the role in English.

• Eligibility to work in Canada: At this time, we welcome applications from candidates eligible to work in Canada. If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, we encourage you to carefully review your visa to find out whether you are eligible to work in the job you are considering applying for. Refer to our FAQ for more information.

• If you are selected for this role, you will be required to complete a successful pre-employment screening process which includes a satisfactory Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC).