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Regional Director  (San Jose Office)

Penal Reform International

PRI’s Director for the Regional Office will be based at the PRI office in Costa Rica. The Director for the Regional Office will be responsible for developing a programme of activities in selected countries in the region, based on key elements of the:

§         regional strategy;

§         general proposal for the region;

§         ongoing relationships and activities; and

§         new country and regional initiatives in line with PRI mandate and ethos.

PRI is an international NGO, with consultative status with the United Nations and with the Council of Europe and observer status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

PRI seeks to achieve penal reform, whilst recognising diverse cultural contexts, by promoting:

§         the development and implementation of international human rights instruments with regard to law enforcement, prison conditions and standards;

§         the elimination of unfair and unethical discrimination in all penal measures;

§         the abolition of the death penalty;

§         the reduction in the use of imprisonment throughout the world; and

§         the use of constructive non-custodial sanctions which encourage social reintegration whilst taking account of the interests of victims.

PRI’s programme in Latin America aims to promote access to justice and good practice with particular reference to developing alternatives to prison, humanising prison treatment, improving health care provision, and involving NGOs and citizens’ groups in monitoring prison conditions.  

PRI works towards the abolition of the death penalty in the Caribbean. Further consideration will be given to linking activities in Latin America to activities in the Caribbean.

The programme offers an opportunity for building on initiatives already being undertaken in the region to tackle the enormous task of penal reform. It helps forge constructive inter-regional links between governments, the judiciary, prison administrations and NGOs involved with penal reform, in order to facilitate ongoing exchange of information and the replication and adaptation of good practice throughout the region and other regions of the world. It helps develop the capacities of local NGOs working in the field of penal reform.

More specifically the regional office is the place in the region from where:

§         ideas for work would emanate;

§         funds would be raised in support of programme ideas;

§         programmes would be managed;

§         the data of regional penal reformers would be drawn up;

§         the information about the region  would be collected and disseminated;

§         PRI would be represented at regional meetings with donors, and other events; and

§         links would be made within the region between penal reformers and regional people and with people in other regions.

Representation

The Regional Director represents PRI in the region, for matters pertaining to PRI programmes. She/he establishes and maintains contacts across the region amongst a range of criminal justice agencies, donors and NGOs, among which s/he particularly liases and regularly consults the core partners. S/He must keep well informed of PRI’s activities world-wide, and be familiar with and committed to the philosophy and ethics of the movement. 

Responsibilities

The Regional Director will be expected to: 

1.      Have responsibility for implementation of current programmes in the region, and developing new ones;

2.      Review and implement a strategy within the framework of the broad strategy for the whole region of Latin America;

3.      Identify programmes and projects suitable for technical and/or financial assistance from PRI;

4.      Take a lead in fund-raising for projects identified for financial support and ensure the continuity of programmes and presence with support  from PRI central offices;

5.      Undertake occasional technical assistance visits to specified countries and projects, together with other experts as necessary;

6.      Monitor and evaluate the progress of projects supported by PRI as part of strategic programme;

7.      Synthesise data, undertake public awareness and information sharing through the publication of PRI and partner literature;

8.      Co-ordinate and service a network of experts from a wide range of countries,

9.      Establish and maintain contacts across the region amongst a range of criminal justice agencies and NGOs;

10.  Manage staff and consultants that are part of the regional programme;

11.  Complete all internal narrative and financial reports for the work of the office;

12.  Ensure that contractual commitments to donors are met through narrative and financial reports;

13.  Ensure there is a link and consistency between the region and PRI global programmes; and

14.  Ensure all aspects of the office perform to the highest standards and meet necessary regulations of Costa Rica.

Requirements

 1.      Expert experience of the region;

2.      Expert experience of justice and human rights related issues;

3.      Experience of international development;

4.      Experience of donor policies and practices ;

5.      Experience of organisational development;

6.      Political judgement and analytical skills;

7.      Ability to work under pressure and prioritise;

8.      Advocacy, representation and negotiation abilities;

9.      Team management and organisational skills;

10.  Financial management and report writing;

11.  IT proficient; and

12.  Fluent in Spanish and English essential; fluency in Portuguese highly desirable; fluency in French desirable.

The Regional Director reports to the Board through the Executive Director and will be supported through regular contact and strategic missions. At specific times it will be required that the Regional Director will work directly with Board Members.

 Salary £30,000 (GBP) gross per annum.  Interviews will be held on 20 July in Costa Rica and London shortly thereafter.  Applications close on 13 July 2001.  Please send CV and covering letter in English to:  Paul English, Executive Director, PRI, Unit 450, Bon Marche Centre, 241-251 Ferndale Road, London SW9 8BJ or by email to headofsecretariat@pri.org.uk or by fax:  (44 20) 7924 9697.