Richmond Iheme
Toronto,ON
Summary
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER AND SOCIAL WORKER with over 15 years experience in human rights monitoring, promotion, protection and enforcement in cross-cutting human rights across a range of thematic areas including business & human Rights, human rights education, law enforcement/, corrections & access to justice, child protection, women, disability, HIV/AIDS, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression SOGIE, besides other vulnerable populations. Versed in policy and legislative intervention, complaint -handling, investigation of allegations of human rights violations, fact finding, mediation, development of Terms of Settlement and issuance of advisories / recommendations to government. Experienced with coordinating cross-functional teams to achieve project milestones efficiently. Utilizes critical thinking and strategic planning to drive project success. Track record of enhancing team productivity and meeting project goals within set timelines.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mental Health/Community Support Volunteer
Akpobasa Global Ministries
06.2024 - Current
- Lead discussions on complex issues including relationships, SGBV, SOGIE, substance abuse, and mental health, resulting in enhanced community understanding and management of psycho-social challenges
- Provide tailored coping strategies and support for emotional, mental, and personality issues, leading to improved individual resilience and reduced symptoms of stress and anxiety
- Facilitate periodic mental health sensitization sessions, which increase awareness and empowers community members to handle mental health issues more effectively
- Guide individuals and families through conflict resolution and skill development, improving problem-solving abilities and fostering a more harmonious community environment.
- Evaluated effectiveness of provided support by conducting surveys among clients leading to continuous improvement of our services.
Director (National Preventive Mechanismthe Optional Protocol to the UN Convention Against Torture) OPCAT
National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria
02.2024 - 06.2024
- Coordinated measures to prevent torture, cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment in places of detention or deprivation of liberty across Nigeria by visiting places of detention (including corrections, rehabilitation and mental health facilities)
- Issued advisories or recommendations to appropriate authorities
- Hosted seminars on preventing torture and inhumane treatment, in line with UN Convention against Torture & related laws.
Lead, Internally Displaced Persons & Refugee-Returnee Protection Monitoring Project - NHRC/UNHCR
National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria
01.2018 - 01.2024
- Coordinated implementation of general support activities to realize project objectives
- Supervised and conducted interview and assessment (Triage)
- Identified most at-risk individuals/families and facilitated appropriate action including referrals to specialized services
- Supervised data collection, and documentation for intervention (Housing, Food and Nutrition, Health, WASH, Education, Work/livelihood skills support, Non-Food Items, Access to Justice, etc)
- Conducted individual or group counseling sessions. case management, and consultation
- Participated in (joint) assessments and intake process, identifying protection issues and community resource linkages
- Worked closely with community-based protection networks in the emergency reception sites.
- Supported mapping of services and development of effective referral pathways.
- Trainer and Workshop Facilitator on a range of thematic issues
Lead - Key Population, Law Enforcement, & Human Rights (Human Rights Imperatives Concerning LGBTQI Communities)
National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Promotion of diversity and development of guidelines for the protection of rights of Key Populations in Arrest, Detention, and Prosecution /Para Legal Training Manual for the Key Population in Nigeria as Community Advocates - to Enhance Access to Justice / Capacity Building in view of the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act and Law-Enforcement / Human Rights Concerns in The Context of the LGBTQI+ Community and The Law
- Coordinator for USAID-supported project ‘Enhancing Protection for LGBTQI+ Communities: Sensitizing State and Local Police on Vulnerable Populations and Ensuring their Rights are Protected in Nigeria’.
Coordinator - Mental Health & Human Rights
National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria
01.2020 - 01.2023
- Spearheaded legal and social advocacy for the improvement of Mental healthcare and protection of human rights for persons with mental or psychosocial disabilities, and promoted human rights in the context of mental healthcare
- Developed and organized Mental Health Sensitization sessions to create awareness about Mental, Cognitive, and Psychosocial disability concerns related to human rights imperatives.
Deputy Director, Investigation
National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Investigated allegations of human rights violations, conducted mediation, and individual or group counseling sessions
- Resolved conflicts
- Reviewed Complaints and Decisions
- Coordinated cross-disciplinary teams to perform statutory monitoring visits and audit of corrections, police, immigration and other detention centers, ensuring protection of detainee rights and improved conditions pursuant to the Mandela Rules
- Facilitated Public Hearing and Enquiry into systemic allegations of human rights violations
- Supervised preparation of reports, and followed up on specific cases to enhance access to justice
- Gave testimonies in court
- Developed and facilitated training modules for various State Police Commands and other law enforcement agencies, focusing on integrating human rights into police and security operations
- Supervised, planned, and managed project activities, and service delivery, and evaluated program effectiveness
- Assisted implementation of agency policies and procedural requirements and undertook administrative and reporting tasks
- Developed budgets, applied for grants and other sources of funding, coordinated community relations and inter-agency collaboration duties, conducted assessments, referrals, case management, and consultations.
Lead, Business & Human Rights
National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Member of Nigerian In-Country Implementation Working Group on the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and led compliance- related -advocacy
- Popularized the three Pillars of Respect, Protect and Access to Remedy and canvassed for scaling up accountability for human rights violations in the context of business, eventually leading to inclusion of Business and Human Rights as a separate chapter in the Nigerian National Action Plan on Business & Human Rights deposited with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Coordinator, Disability Inclusion Project, Legal & Social Advocacy for Disability Mainstreaming in National Development
National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Lead advocate for the Domestication of the IUN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria
- Successful legislative input for Disability Bill was passed as the Discrimination against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act, 2019
- Organized workshops and seminars on the promotion and protection of human rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Underscored Mental and Cognitive Disability as a crucial component, though ignored Disability Cluster.
Thematic Head, Police, Prisons & Other Detention Centers Project
National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Visited prisons, police, immigration, and customs cells to evaluate compliance with Human Rights standards
- Coordinated the collation and preparation of reports, and followed up on specific cases to enhance access to justice.
Lead, Counter Trafficking Initiative Project
National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Mainstreamed human rights principles into counter trafficking law enforcement, leading to distinction between survivors and perpetrators
- (The initial practice was to arrest and detain both perpetrators and victims who out to be treated as survivors)
- Trainer: Workshop for Police, Boarder Guards and other Law Enforcement Agencies on Combating Human Trafficking organized by the INTERPOL in collaboration with International Labour Organization, Nigeria (2011)
- Was a Lead Contributor to the National Policy on Protection and Assistance to Victims of Human Trafficking
- The National Policy got approved by the Federal Executive Council in Nigeria (2011) and was subsequently adopted by the ECOWAS sub -region; and has been incorporated into successive National Action Plan on Human Trafficking in Nigeria including the current, 2022-2026.
HIV/AIDS Advocacy and Training Coordinator
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Scaled up human rights mainstreaming in National response to combat HIV related Stigmatization and Discrimination
- Designed and executed programs to reduce stigma and discrimination against individuals living with HIV/AIDS, leading to improved public perception and greater support
- Provided training and support to staff and the public on the intersection of HIV/AIDS and human rights
- Activated multi-sectoral activities to combat stigma related to HIV/AIDS in education, health, labor and other settings
- Enhanced partnerships with the Network of People Living with HIV in Nigeria (NEPHWHAN) to facilitate complaints and access to remedies for HIV-related human rights violations
- Improved access to NHRC services, increased knowledge of the human rights perspective on HIV/AIDS.
Education
Barrister-at-Law - Law
Nigerian Law School
Abuja, Nigeria12.2000
Master of Social Work - Health/Social Welfare
University of Ibadan
Oyo State, Nigeria05.1998
Bachelor of Law - Law
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
Osun State, Nigeria09.1996
Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy
University of Calabar
Cross River State, Nigeria11.1992
Skills
- Project Scheduling
- Scope Management
- Technical understanding
- Requirements Gathering
Registrations
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers (OCSWSSW)
Associations
- Nigerian Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW)
- North American Association of Christians in Social Work (NACSW)
- Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
- Red Cross Society
Languages
English
Full Professional
Certification
1.Standard First Aid and CPR/AED Level C
2. CPI (Non Violent Crisis Intervention)
3 WHIMS
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeContract WorkWork Location
RemoteOn-SiteHybridTimeline
Mental Health/Community Support Volunteer
Akpobasa Global Ministries
06.2024 - Current
Director (National Preventive Mechanismthe Optional Protocol to the UN Convention Against Torture) OPCAT
National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria
02.2024 - 06.2024
Lead - Key Population, Law Enforcement, & Human Rights (Human Rights Imperatives Concerning LGBTQI Communities)
National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria
01.2022 - 01.2024
Coordinator - Mental Health & Human Rights
National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria
01.2020 - 01.2023
Deputy Director, Investigation
National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria
01.2019 - 01.2023
Lead, Internally Displaced Persons & Refugee-Returnee Protection Monitoring Project - NHRC/UNHCR
National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria
01.2018 - 01.2024
Lead, Business & Human Rights
National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria
01.2018 - 01.2020
Coordinator, Disability Inclusion Project, Legal & Social Advocacy for Disability Mainstreaming in National Development
National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria
01.2016 - 01.2018
Thematic Head, Police, Prisons & Other Detention Centers Project
National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria
01.2014 - 01.2016
Lead, Counter Trafficking Initiative Project
National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria
01.2010 - 01.2013
HIV/AIDS Advocacy and Training Coordinator
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
01.2009 - 01.2011
1.Standard First Aid and CPR/AED Level C
2. CPI (Non Violent Crisis Intervention)
3 WHIMS
Barrister-at-Law - Law
Nigerian Law School
Master of Social Work - Health/Social Welfare
University of Ibadan
Bachelor of Law - Law
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy
University of Calabar
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