Advocacy and Survivor Leadership Engagement Specialist

Who We Are

International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world.

International Justice Mission (IJM) has implemented a collaborative approach to combating violence against those vulnerable for the last 23 years in 20 field offices around the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, collecting international best practices in tackling human trafficking. The capacity building model of criminal justice system transformation implemented by IJM includes individual support for survivors, support for government initiatives and jointly proposing policy changes to strengthen criminal justice systems (CJS) to respond effectively to human trafficking.

The Need

For 25 years, IJM has pioneered the work to protect vulnerable people from violence. 9 out of 9 times in the last decade, IJM’s Justice System Strengthening Projects have reduced slavery and violence between 50 and 85% for very large populations of people in poverty. As we grow to expand our impact to protect 500 million people from violence by 2030, we are seeking a Project Coordinator.

Key Result Areas (KRA):

The Advocacy and Survivor Leadership and Engagement Specialist (ASLES) will drive the development and implementation of program standard initiatives with regard to IJM’s Global Survivor Network and advocate for sustainable systemic change with governmental agencies and civil society partners for IJM’s European Anti-Trafficking Program (EATP). The aim for this position is to facilitate ethical input from survivors of human trafficking and to help understanding gaps in the system and creating effective solutions for policy and legislative changes to increase the adequate support for victims of trafficking, help professionalize state and EU institutions to be more victim-friendly and trauma informed, as well as ensure perpetrator accountability. The ASLES will build networks of survivors, design processes to collect data, draft qualitative analyses of lived experience and the impact that public or private interventions have on the wellbeing of survivors and advocate for institutional reform to these ends. The ASLES will build strong partnerships with key strategic agencies in order to achieve widespread buy in and develop political will for IJM’s program interventions. The ASLES will support advocacy initiatives and other programmatic goals to oversee and direct in-depth policy research and analysis to provide a foundation for the organization advocacy focus in supporting the transformation to the criminal justice system to protect victims of trafficking. The person will produce written materials and resources to communicate policy needs to government and constituent audiences, manage relationships with government partners and policy makers within the EATP ensuring these policies are seamlessly connected to grassroot constituencies and informed by survivor voice.

Key Result Areas:

1. Create and develop Global Survivor Network chapters within EATP, bringing together people with lived experiences of trafficking and facilitate their personal and professional development.
2. Coordinate and align GSN EATP strategy and activities with the global GSN strategy of IJM and customize if needed according to EATP specific aspects.
3. Proactively seek input from survivors or vulnerable community before, during and after a program concludes
4. Support Director of Programs EATP on specific projects and project development related to Global Survivor Network.
5. Develop instruments, methodologies and processes to collect survivor feedback in their interactions with the criminal justice system, public and private services, in collaboration with Project Managers, MERL Specialists and Casework teams.
6. Utilize input from survivors to consult and advise IJM and Governmental bodies in the development of programs, trainings, prevention activities, communication and advocacy strategies.
7. Participate on behalf of IJM’s European Anti-Trafficking Program in national or international Governmental or Inter-Governmental Survivor consultation or advisory groups.
8. Provide survivor informed input into IJM trainings and materials.
9. Build strong partnerships with legislators, policy makers, civil society and government partners to create sustained political will for the transformation of the criminal justice system so that it better protects victims of trafficking.
10. Ensure seamless coordination and integration between the policy goals and grassroots communities’ needs, advocacy and mobilisation efforts in discussions related to victims’ rights and survivor empowerment.
11. Support of in-depth research on criminal justice system and identify emerging needs and trends requiring policy intervention to ensure that victims of trafficking are protected and receive the services they need.
12. Mobilize key legislative and justice sector actors to engage on topics of criminal justice reform in order to ultimately increase the performance of the criminal justice system’s response to trafficking in persons.
13. Support government actors, non-government actors and support building public coalitions to protect victims of trafficking.
14. Produce written materials including articles, op-eds, blogs, news briefs, memos, briefing papers, etc. for legislative and policy audiences.
15. Advise and support advancement offices in communication and fundraising campaigns and events.
16. Report on the GSN EATP activities.

Education & Experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, international development, project management, human rights, public policy, public administration, or related field preferred (or additional experience)
2. At least 5 years’ experience in the nonprofit sector, working with vulnerable populations and/or the social care system.
3. At least 5 years’ experience in developing and delivering trainings, group facilitation and conference moderation.
4. Knowledge of governmental infrastructures within the EU in fighting human trafficking and coordination mechanisms. A strong network of connections with relevant governmental partners.
5. Knowledge of justice system institutions, civil society organizations partnering with the justice sector, and international agencies strongly preferred.
6. Proficient in group facilitation, with demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with partners, staff, and colleagues with a high level of tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality.

Technical Competencies:

1. Knowledge and expertise in trafficking in persons in Romania and the EU
2. Exceptional organizational skills
3. Excellent written and oral communication skills both in English and Romanian, other European languages preferred
4. Exceptional ability in written and oral communications, including government audiences
5. Strong networker with proven track record of engaging diverse constituencies of stakeholders
6. Ability to present complex data and information in a clear and compelling manner to a wide range of stakeholders concisely
7. High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, project management software and familiarity with statistical software packages

Non-Technical Competencies:

1. Servant leader, humble
2. Decisive and attentive to detail
3. Sustained positive attitude and calm under stress
4. Diplomatic and flexible with strong service ethics
5. Self-starter with strong initiative
6. Pro-active, creative problem solver
7. Exceptionally high levels of honesty and integrity
8. Innovative and creative
9. Ability to contribute outside of the designated areas of responsibility, team player

Requirements:

1. Full-time
2. Ability to travel within Romania and within Europe, up to 30% of the time

Preference:

1. Driver’s license for Romania and/or international (preferred).

This position is based in Bucharest and reports to the Director of Program EATP.

This position is based in Bucharest, Romania and is available to be hybrid (onsite Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays) and remote Monday and Wednesday.

Application Process:

Please submit Resume/CV, Cover Letter, in one document to romania@ijm.org

What does IJM have to offer?

• Comprehensive Medical Service Plan
• 24 days paid leave
• Daily, quarterly, and annual community spiritual formation
• Robust staff care resources

IJM holds strict safeguarding principles and a zero tolerance to violations of the Safeguarding Policy, Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy, and Code of Conduct. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection, and hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing the candidates value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes.