Director, Operational Field Presence
Guatemala City, Guatemala
http://www.ijm.org
The Mission
International Justice Mission® is a Christian agency, led by human rights professionals, that helps people suffering injustice and oppression who cannot rely on local authorities for relief. The agency documents and monitors conditions of abuse and oppression, educates the church and public about the abuses, and mobilizes intervention on behalf of the victims.
The Need
IJM is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as the Director of the Guatemala OFP. Under the leadership of the Director, who will be trained, supervised, and deployed by IJM’s headquarters in Arlington, VA, the Guatemala OFP will work with Guatemalan authorities and referral partners to investigate and prosecute cases of sexual abuse, domestic violence, exploitative working conditions, and commercial sexual exploitation of children and women. The Guatemala OFP will work with other NGOs and government agencies within Guatemala and will partner with local secular and Christian networks to bring effective intervention on behalf of the victims – demonstrating the tangible relief that can be won through faithful and knowledgeable Christian action.
Responsibilities
Program:
• Conduct investigations and interventions in response to case referrals that meet IJM’s established case acceptance criteria. Demonstrate effective case intervention models within the operational area;
• Work closely with IJM headquarters to advance organization-wide objectives through the operations of the Guatemala OFP;
• Fully understand relevant laws and procedures;
• Establish investigative priorities and supervise investigations in line with IJM investigation protocols;
• Advocate to government authorities for the rescue of victims and perpetrator accountability and advise such authorities during enforcement actions;
• Pursue proper prosecution of perpetrators;
• Ensure that victims receive appropriate aftercare by interfacing with government authorities and local aftercare organizations;
• Develop and implement capacity-building strategies with Guatemalan government officials; and
• Develop and continually modify a best practices and training manual and materials.
Leadership:
• Provide leadership of staff and volunteers to bring immediate rescue to victims of oppression and ensure their placement in aftercare, bring their perpetrators to justice, and encourage structural changes to prevent abuses from happening in the future;
• Recruit, train, supervise, and mentor IJM agents, as well as interns and volunteers; and
• Identify and train a national leader to succeed to the office of Director.
Management:
• Help develop the annual budget, spending allocated funds in accordance with IJM’s budgetary and stewardship principles;
• Maintain detailed records of the office’s work;
• Ensure the security of all operations, reporting to HQ on security matters as they develop; and
• Ensure continual communication with the supervisor regarding the status of operations and challenges faced.
Relationships:
• Establish cooperative relationships with local, national, and international public justice professionals, police and prosecution personnel, government leaders, and NGO leaders in pursuit of the OFP’s casework and capacity-building objectives; and
• Host visits by IJM guests, teams, interns and volunteers.
Miscellaneous:
• Carry out other additional assignments given by the Regional Director of Operations, Latin America; and
• Maintain confidentiality of privileged and sensitive information.
Additional Qualifications:
Required Skills and Experience
• Strong commitment to IJM's core values;
• Fluency in English and Spanish (oral and written);
• Attorney with Juris Doctorate or equivalent law degree;
• At least four years of legal experience (criminal litigation preferred);
• Extremely strong legal research and writing skills;
• At least three years of successful management/team building experience;
• Demonstrated interest in human rights and social justice; and
• Prior Peace Corps, relief, legal or other work experience overseas preferred.
Critical Qualities
• Meticulous attention to detail; disciplined with priorities;
• Strong service ethic of service and a passion for IJM’s goals;
• Patient; work well under stress;
• Personable; sustained positive attitude;
• Diplomatic and flexible;
• Professional demeanor and written and oral communication;
• Able to achieve goals in a cross-cultural setting; and
• Effective team player and leader.
Relocation/Travel Requirements
• Full-time residence in Guatemala City, with regular travel throughout Guatemala and sporadic travel to other parts of Latin America and the United States.
How to Apply:
For application instructions, please visit http://www.ijm.org