Head of Unlawful Detention Team

About Reprieve

 Reprieve is a UK charity founded in 1999. Reprieve uses strategic interventions to end the use of the death penalty globally, and to end extreme human rights abuses carried out in the name of “counterterrorism” or “national security”.

Reprieve works with the most disenfranchised people in society, as it is in their cases that human rights are most swiftly jettisoned and the rule of law is cast aside. Thus, Reprieve promotes and protects the rights of those facing the death penalty and those who are the victims of extreme human rights abuses carried out in the name of “counterterrorism” or “national security”, with a focus on arbitrary detention, torture, and extrajudicial executions.

Reprieve’s main office is in London, UK. Reprieve also supports full-time fellows in multiple other countries, who work as lawyers, investigators and campaigners. We work closely with partner organisations in jurisdictions all over the world, who provide access to clients, expertise, knowledge and guidance on specific issues or regions.

Reprieve works in close partnership with its independent sibling organisation Reprieve US. 

About the Role

The Head of Unlawful Detentions is responsible for overseeing Reprieve’s work on unlawful detentions, which comprises detention cases in North East Syria (NES), advocacy work with families of detainees in NES, support to those repatriated from NES, and our Guantánamo and Life after Guantánamo Projects.

Background on Unlawful Detentions Work

Reprieve was one of the very first organisations allowed inside Guantánamo. Since then, we have secured freedom for more than 80 men illegally detained without charge or trial, and we continue to support some of these men through our Life After Guantánamo project.

Reprieve also advocates for the release and repatriation of foreign nationals detained in camps and prisons in NES. We aim to ensure that detained individuals are treated in line with international law, and not subjected to the death penalty, extrajudicial execution, arbitrary detention, torture, or rendition. We also advocate for and support clients and their children after their release from arbitrary detention.

Through our work we aim to challenge and change flawed ‘War on Terror’ narratives and legal and political frameworks – including in the UK, Europe and the US – that engender state-sanctioned discrimination and abuse, undermine the rule of law and human rights, and create two-tiered layers of citizenship rights for ethnic minorities in Western countries.

About You

You will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies using a dynamic approach in which each of Reprieve’s methodologies—casework, investigation, litigation, political and public engagement, support for and (where possible and appropriate) advocacy with affected communities—connect with one another to achieve positive outcomes in individual client’s cases and address structural rights violations.

You will be enthusiastic about working for an organisation with Reprieve's mission and vision. You will have a minimum of five years’ experience line managing busy and diverse teams. You have significant legal and casework experience and experience managing a complex portfolio of cases. You will also have substantial advocacy experience, an understanding of campaigning, strong writing skills, and excellent attention to detail. 

You are a person with a high level of cultural competency, with direct lived or working experience with communities impacted by the so-called ‘War on Terror’ and/or relevant conflicts. You will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how racism and institutional discrimination affect our clients. You will ideally have experience working closely with clients, empowering them to play an active role in designing the advocacy and strategy adopted to address issues in their cases.  You will have sensitivity to the risks faced by those with whom we work and a demonstrated commitment to acting in the best interest of clients. You will have professional maturity, flexibility, and a willingness to put clients and Reprieve’s mission above all else.

In addition to being conversant in relevant legal systems, you are abreast of the domestic, regional, and geopolitical developments that impact on detention issues in the areas in which we work. You will also have a good understanding of the political and legal context of human rights violations carried out in the name of ‘counter-terrorism’, particularly in the UK, Europe, and the US, and of gender and trafficking issues. You will have the ability to develop targeted strategies to influence the policies and public conversations in these jurisdictions.

Salary, contract and location

The role is a full-time, permanent position with a salary of £59,226 per annum less any required deductions for tax and national insurance. Reprieve works across a number of jurisdictions; as such this is a role that may require work outside of core hours from time to time.

Reprieve operates a hybrid working model and we require staff to work a minimum of 40% from the London office and the rest of the week from home. 

Reprieve is proud that the highest-paid member of staff is paid no more than double the lowest-paid member of staff. Our pay is transparent and non-negotiable. We are a flexible employer and offer a range of non-financial benefits to employees. We welcome applications from a range of backgrounds. You can learn more about Reprieve’s salary structure and ethos on our website.

Applicants must have the current right to work in the UK, which will be checked prior to interview. Reprieve is an equal opportunity employer and we particularly welcome applicants from Black and minority ethnic communities, members of the LGBTQI community, and those with disabilities. Reprieve is committed to fighting racism and advancing racial justice, both in our work and within Reprieve.

To Apply

Please review the job description for full details on the role and complete the application form on our website adn follow the instructions on our website. 

Applicants should note that CV, cover letters and other documents should not be submitted for this role and will not be considered. Applicants must have the current right to work in the UK.