Audit and Research Volunteer – assessment of torture victims in detention

3 days per week for a minimum of 3 months starting in July

Reviewing the assessment of torture victims in detention

Medical Justice is an independent organisation exposing inadequate healthcare provision within immigration detention. Its membership includes ex-detainees, lawyers, doctors, campaigners, and other experts. Through the provision of independent medical advice Medical Justice challenges unqualified medical findings, and facilitates access to legal representation. In turn, this work has informed the discussion of a number of policy reforms within detention; as well as underpinning a series of research based analyses including State Sponsored Cruelty and Detained and Denied.

Medical Justice is reviewing the assessment of torture victims in detention and safeguards designed to prevent their continued detention for immigration purposes other than in exceptional circumstances only. The aim of this project is to assess whether the safeguards are effective and lead to the appropriate release of torture survivors from detention.

In doing so, the project will utilise detailed case studies based on the experiences of detainees and ex-detainees who are victims of torture, and analyse findings from Medical Justice cases.

A volunteer position has arisen to work on this project, giving the opportunity to contribute to a key area of Medical Justice work.

Volunteers will be able to work flexibly, and while the majority of the post will involve working from home, there will be a requirement to work from the Medical Justice Office. Owing to limited resources, volunteers will need to use their own laptop. The post is unpaid, and applicants must be able to commit to three days per week for a minimum of 3 months. Ideally, the post would commence at the end of June or in early July. Medical Justice is able to pay travel expenses within London where receipts are provided.

Main duties may include:

• carrying out research into the legal and policy framework of Rule 35 and the treatment of victims of torture;
• making contact with (ex) detainees and asking them to sign consent forms;
• liaising with doctors, lawyers and others in order to access information;
• gathering details from individual case files;
• assisting in the population and maintenance of a database in order to produce data specific to the goals of this project;
• summarising data into coherent and clear formats;
• transcribing, coding, and analysing research interviews;
• assisting in the preparation and creation of reports and documents relating specifically to the Rule 35 torture project; and carrying out other tasks as and when required.

Skills and Experience:

Essential

• Knowledge and awareness of the issues facing individuals in immigration detention;
• Commitment to the aims and goals of Medical Justice;
• Commitme to the principles underlying equal opportunities;
• Excellent organisational, administrative and IT skills;
• Experience of conducting research in a campaigning/policy focused context;
• Experience of analysing and distilling datasets;
• Awareness and experience of issues surrounding data protection and confidentiality;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Flexibility;
• Self-motivated & a self-starter.

Desirable

• Experience working for a small NGO;
• Experienc
• e of working with vulnerable individuals;
• Understanding of ethical considerations within a research context;
• Awareness of the asylum determination process;
• Working with databases for the purpose of research or case management.

How to apply

To apply for this post please send a CV, and cover letter of no more than 1500 words, setting out how your skills and experiences fit the above criteria to Natasha Tsangarides at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 8 June 2011 at 12pm. Please also confirm the length of time you are able to commit to the project and your ideal start date within your cover letter.

Interviews will be held on 16 June at:
Medical Justice
86 Durham Road
London
N7 7DT

For further information, please email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Last Updated on Tuesday, 31 May 2011 11:11