22 November 2019
The Detention Forum is seeking an expression of interest from consultants to provide services as a new Project Director.
The Detention Forum is an advocacy network of over 40 groups which challenges the UK’s use of immigration detention, founded in 2009. The project is hosted by the Refugee Council and led by a part-time consultant Project Director. In 2012, it developed a joint strategy with three key asks of 1) ending indefinite detention, 2) ending the detention of vulnerable people and 3) improving judicial oversight over detention, plus a commitment to developing a solutions-based ask of alternatives to detention. This was updated into a Theory of Change 2017 – 2020, enabling us to turn the previously niche topic of immigration detention into a mainstream political issue.
Together, the Detention Forum members created an enormous narrative shift around immigration detention. It used to be a taboo, even among NGOs working in the asylum and migration area, to talk about immigration detention. Now, many, including influential voices, have joined our call for a radical change.
There is a need for a new Theory of Change which reflects this seismic shift and delivers change which has a real, tangible, impact on people and communities affected by immigration detention. As the current consultant is leaving at the end of March 2020, we are seeking a new consultant to develop the next Theory of Change, conduct a thorough review of our operating environment and lead the Detention Forum into its next phase.
The current funders are keen to continue to support the work of the Detention Forum. We have been successful in securing a major renewal grant, which will start in April 2020, and another renewal bid should be completed in December 2019. We hope that the new consultant will also start fundraising at the earliest opportunity.
Further information about the required services is available on this document: DF Project Director – FINAL 20 Nov 2019.
To apply, please send your C.V. and a covering letter of up to two A4 pages to Eiri Ohtani, detentionforum(at)gmail.com, by 9am, 11 December 2019. Please indicate in your covering letter your suggested daily rate and the amount of time you would commit to the assignment in order to successfully deliver its responsibilities. Interviews will take place in London. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. No agencies, please.
For an informal chat, please contact Eiri Ohtani (detentionforum(at)gmail.com) or Maurice Wren (Maurice.Wren(at)refugeecouncil.org.uk).
