Detention Doctor (International Humanitarian Register)

Detention Doctor (International Humanitarian Register)

Must speak Arabic, French, Russian and/or Spanish in addition to English

Australian Red Cross is seeking skilled Detention Doctors to join our International Delegate (aid worker) Register. From the Delegate Register, Detention Doctors can be deployed internationally by the Red Cross to support operations and provide professional assistance to individuals and communities impacted by humanitarian disasters or conflicts.  Deployments typically last for six months but more likely 12 months and are salaried.

Please note that recruitment to the Delegate Register does not guarantee employment with Red Cross. It does however place the individual on standby to deploy, and enables suitable preparation and training for deployment, should the need arise.   

If you are interested in working internationally with Red Cross, we encourage you to read the below role profile which provides additional information on the requirements of this position, to consider your suitability. Please note that we are only able to consider applications from candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of Australia. 

Australian Red Cross’ International Delegate Register 

The Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement is the largest humanitarian network in the world. It comprises the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (Federation) and 192 National Societies. The RCRC mandate is to protect and support populations experiencing conflicts, disasters and other vulnerabilities. 

ARC maintains an active register of highly screened and trained humanitarian workers (referred to as delegates within the Red Cross) who are deployed to international crises when local capacity is overwhelmed or where additional specialist resources are required. Deployments take place through fixed-term contracts, with delegates seconded into the operations of the ICRC or Federation. 

In all activities, Australian Red Cross’ delegates, staff, volunteers and members are guided by the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.  

Humanity • Neutrality • Impartiality • Independence • Voluntary Service • Unity • Universality.  

To read more on these principles, visit https://www.redcross.org.au/about/fundamental-principles/ 

Detention Doctor Position Summary 

Australian Red Cross (ARC) has a long history of working closely with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent (IFRC) (where relevant) to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or internal violence.   ARC has been recruiting and placing aid workers to work within the ICRC programs and projects overseas since the mid 70’s. 

The ICRC works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. The ICRC takes action in response to emergencies and directs and coordinates the international activities conducted in these situations while at the same time promotes respect for international humanitarian law.  The ICRC is an independent and neutral organization with their mandate stemming from the Geneva Conventions of 1949.

The ICRC detention doctor visit places of detention as part of a team of ICRC delegates. The role primarily examines everything relating to individual and collective detainee health: hygiene, access to water, nutritional status, access to food and medical care and the functioning of the healthcare system within the detention facility.  The role also involves examining specific cases and documenting instances of torture and other types of ill-treatment, both physical and psychological.

Essential Requirements 

• Citizen or permanent resident of Australia.
• Fluent spoken and written English. 

• Level B2 (CEFR standard) in a second language (Arabic, French, Russian or Spanish).
• Extensive (3 years or greater) professional experience as aligned with the technical and behavioural competencies (outlined below). 

• Previous international humanitarian in low-income countries (non-government organisations, international organisations or charity).  

• Availability to deploy for a minimum of 6 months, but more likely 12 months.

Essential Qualifications and Professional Registrations 

• Bachelor or Doctor of Medicine qualification.
• Current registration with Medical Board of Australia, through AHPRA.
• Master in Public Health qualification.

Additional Essential Requirements

• Digital Literacy, including ability navigate digital devices (laptops, smartphones), analyse web-based information and work effectively with the Microsoft Office suite of applications. 

• Ability to drive a manual car. 

• Personal motivation to provide humanitarian assistance to individuals and communities impacted by disasters or armed conflict. 

• Ability to adapt to and function effectively in challenging living conditions and potentially unstable security environments. 

• Ability to work effectively while under pressure and within multicultural teams. 

• Excellent organisational skills. 

Technical competencies 

Detention Facility Management 

• Assesses the health of individuals and groups within a detention facility, taking into account nutrition, hygiene, access to water and food, rates of communicable diseases, and other health factors relevant to the population 

• Designs and implements projects and initiatives aimed at improving detainees’ access to effective healthcare, and the broader facility’s healthcare system  

• Ensures that projects are monitored and evaluated through the collection and analysis of data 

 Stakeholder Management  

• Conduct a thorough analysis of the local health facilities and linkages with the national health system to leverage and advocate for improved or additional health services in the facility 

• Liaises as requested with local health authorities and other health providers 
• Liaises with other members of the detention team to provide guidance on all health and hygiene-related matters 

Information Management 

• Ensures all documentation meets local / national legal requirements and that statistical data is collated, using the relevant health monitoring system.  

• Ensures that projects are monitored and evaluated through the collection and analysis of data 
• Ensures medical records are written clearly and precisely, noting adherence to and respect for medical ethics and confidentiality

Behavioural Competencies 

Cultural Awareness 

• Design solutions and plan operations that consider local cultural factors 

• Respect cultural diversity within the team 

• Adapt programs and operations in line with socio-political and cultural context, with specific focus on addressing the needs of vulnerable groups 

Interpersonal communications 

• Deliver accurate, clear and concise messages, orally and in writing, to inform a range of audiences 

• Actively listen to and encourage feedback from peers, communities, volunteers and other stakeholders 

• Convey complex ideas and plans based on inputs from different audiences in an engaging, appropriate and clear manner 

Judgement and Decision-making 

• Make informed, timely, balanced decisions at an individual and team level through consultation, research and consideration 

• Find solutions to problems in a resourceful and creative manner 

• Explain decisions to those who implement or are affected by them 

Motivating others 

• Provide regular formal and informal feedback and recognises contributions of others to maintain team productivity 

• Positively support others to maintain motivation by clearly articulating the purpose of the program

Personal Resilience  

• Appropriately cope with stressful situations by remaining constructive and positive under stress and remaining focused on objectives as the operation evolves 

 Integrity  

• Act in accordance with Movement principles and values.  

• Model ethical behaviour and uses the power of their position with integrity and accountability  

• Refer reports of violations onwards using appropriate channels.  

• Develop concise, consolidated reports that analyse progress, challenges and plan for follow-up action across the sectors.  

Candidate Assessment  

All candidates will be assessed based on technical and core competencies specific to this role. Candidates may be further invited to take part in a competency-based interview, assessment centre and psychological assessment. 

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse & Harassment (PSEAH) & Child Protection 

Australian Red Cross reserves the right to conduct background checks on all candidates, including police, working with children checks, personal reference checks and other checks Australian Red Cross considers necessary. Candidates who do not pass a work with children check, or whose backgrounds checks suggest they may pose a risk to the safety and wellbeing of others will not be considered for this position. 

Australian Red Cross participates in the global Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), and is committed to preventing sexual misconduct or child abuse by individuals moving between humanitarian organisations across the globe. Australian Red Cross is also a child safe organisation. To uphold this commitment, Australian Red Cross will share sexual misconduct or child abuse concerns or investigations upon request with other participating organisations. Additionally, as part of our recruitment process, Australian Red Cross may contact previous employers to ask about any sexual misconduct or child abuse concerns or investigations. Visit The Misconduct Disclosure Scheme for more information

Operational Constraints 

In line with the principle of neutrality, please note that staff seconded to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) cannot be deployed to any country of origin. Delegates must be in good health and agree to participate in health clearance processes prior to any assignment. 

For more information on the Detention Doctor profile, and working internationally with Australian Red Cross, contact Andree Girardau on agirardau@redcross.org.au.