Director: Anti-Trafficking Projects

ABOUT IJM

International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world. Our team of over 1,200 professionals are at work worldwide in over 30 offices. Together we are on a mission to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice unstoppable.

We are a global community that cares for one another. We believe that the way we work is as important as the results we achieve. We provide professional excellence with joy and celebration to all those we serve. 

IJM Ghana partners with Ghanaian government agencies to tackle human trafficking by rescuing victims, ensuring perpetrator accountability, restoring survivors to safety and strength, and supporting public justice actors to strengthen systems that protect the vulnerable.

ABOUT THE ROLE

For over 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, we are seeking a Director, Anti-Trafficking Projects, Ghana who will work closely with the Director, West Africa in managing all our Ghana anti trafficking projects.

The overall purpose of the role is to ensure the Accra, Tamale and Kumasi offices achieve their operational goals, to collaborate with government and agents of change to transform local justice systems in order to rescue victims of human trafficking, facilitate their rehabilitation and reintegration, and secure perpetrator accountability under the law.

This position is responsible for the overall execution of Volta Lake operations, Cocoa Projects, the security of all staff and property on the Accra, Tamale, Kumasi office projects teams, and to ensure a community of spiritual formation. The Director, Anti-Trafficking Projects, Ghana will lead and nurture the operations team, in its strategic, administrative, and programmatic functioning, with guidance, and support of the Director, West Africa. Based in Accra and reporting to the Director, West Africa, this a full-time position and requires occasional travel within Ghana.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead projects across Ghana (Accra, Tamale and Kumasi) to collaborate with government actors to protect child victims of trafficking through the identification and rescue of victims, the restoration to the victims of abuse, perpetrator accountability and strengthening the justice system to effectively and sustainably protect the children from trafficking
• Lead in producing tangible change, and a reduction in the prevalence of trafficking, exploitation and forced labour within the Cocoa and Lake Projects.
• Cast vision in alignment with the Global Vision, Mission & Strategy and Program of the organization
• Establish a leadership development culture to create and sustain strong leadership in the office
• Supervise and mentor Project Managers, the Aftercare Manager and Justice Sector Manager as required in all aspects of their work, including leadership, strategy development, project development and management, budget management, and personnel management and training
• Foster a team mindset and culture in the office and inspire the team to be effective and efficient and to pursue excellence
• Ensure that personnel have clearly defined job descriptions and performance objectives, ensure their performance is monitored, and appropriate job performance feedback is regularly provided, and compensation levels are appropriate
• In consultation with the Director, West Africa, and Regional Security staff, ensure the security of all operations and IJM personnel, maintaining compliance with IJM’s security policies and reporting to IJM leadership on security matters as they develop
• In consultation with the Director, West Africa, ensure synergies with organizational priorities on Thought Leadership, Branding & Communications, and Fund Raising in keeping with regional and global strategies
• In consultation with Regional Director – Justice Data Solutions, ensure synergies with organizational priorities on Investigations, and Law Enforcement Development in keeping with regional and global strategies
• In consultation with the Regional Specialist – HR, ensure synergies with organizational priorities on Staff Engagement and Development in keeping with regional and global strategies
• Regularly monitor, manage, and report the progress of Lake and Cocoa projects using organization templates and timelines
• Supervise and ensure consistent, timely and accurate records are made on internal database systems (Justice Data Solutions – JDS)
• Ensure the design, development and the implementation of Anti-trafficking projects are supportive of IJM’s mission and in line with IJM’s core strategies, justice policy, and justice program framework
• Ensure the formulation of innovative program design that addresses major obstacles to justice for the poor
• Lead in collaborative casework and capacity building initiatives with government partners
• Work with Director programs to ensure proper monitoring of Anti-trafficking projects to ensure all activities lead to the accomplishment of all project goals
• Ensure development of project documentation, including concept notes, proposals, baseline terms of reference and budgets
• Support efforts to ensure adequate funding for West Africa programs from both private and institutional donors
• Establish cooperative relationships with local, national, and international public justice professionals, police and prosecution personnel, government leaders, and NGO leaders to advance the anti-trafficking projects’ objectives
• Coordinate closely with other senior leaders to maximize impact of IJM programs, strengthen key relationships and build consistency in policies and strategies across IJM offices in West Africa
• Represent IJM’s programs before local governments, non-governmental organizations, media outlets, and other stakeholders and audiences
• Work closely with the office leaders to host and manage visits and terms by IJM
• Identify professional training and development needs for staff and partners
• Develop a culture of learning and practicing IJM’s core values on a day-to-day basis
• Ensure a leadership development culture to create and sustain a strong second line leadership in the office
• Ensure frequent updates on anti-trafficking project activities to the Director, West Africa
• Complete required reporting templates within timeframes shared
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration across project teams (Aftercare, Justice Sector, Accra, Kumasi and Tamale)
• Ensure all anti-trafficking projects staff, interns, fellows, and volunteers have a clear understanding of IJM’s mission, core values, global vision, and FO program, objectives, and strategic goals
• Work closely with the Project Leads and program leaders to ensure accomplishment of the team’s project goals and other strategic objectives as agreed upon with the Director, West Africa
• Ensure that the team adheres to all organizational policies, procedures, and deadlines
• Work closely with the Finance team to ensure that the operations team operates within its budget with efficiency and proactivity
• Carry out additional assignments as required by the Director, West Africa.

 SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Law, Social Work, Public Policy, International Development, Criminology, or a related field. Consideration may be given to candidates with extensive leadership experience in lieu of an advanced degree
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive professional experience in justice, child protection, human rights, law enforcement, social work, or related fields
• At least 5 years of senior management experience, including direct supervision of managers and oversight of multidisciplinary teams across multiple offices or regions
• Demonstrated track record of strategic program leadership, including design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and partnership management
• Proven experience in managing office or departmental budgets, including financial planning, oversight, and reporting
• Established experience working in partnership with government institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners in complex environments
• Strong knowledge of child protection and safeguarding standards, with clear commitment to best practices in protecting vulnerable populations
• Expertise in program and project management, including planning, resourcing, monitoring, and adapting programs to achieve outcomes
• Demonstrated capacity in financial management, ensuring accountability, transparency, and efficient use of resources
• Solid understanding of justice system strengthening, anti-trafficking, and/or human rights frameworks
• Ability to deliver results in sensitive, politically nuanced, and multi-stakeholder contexts
• Fluency in English (oral and written), and local language will be an advantage
• Strategic leadership – proven ability to set vision, inspire teams, and guide multi-site, multi-disciplinary work
• Organizational management – skilled in developing people, coaching managers, managing performance, and fostering positive team culture
• Partnership and relationship-building – ability to establish and sustain effective collaboration with government actors, community leaders, and international partners
• Cross-cultural communication – excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and influencing skills, with sensitivity to diverse cultural contexts
• Integrity and resilience – demonstrated discretion, sound judgment, and perseverance in navigating complex challenges
• Problem-solving and adaptability – able to analyse situations, anticipate risks, and adapt strategies as needed

 Critical Qualities

• Mature Christian faith as defined by the Apostles’ Creed
• Strategic leadership – proven ability to set vision, inspire teams, and guide multi-site, multi-disciplinary work
• Organizational management – skilled in developing people, coaching managers, managing performance, and fostering positive team culture
• Partnership and relationship-building – ability to establish and sustain effective collaboration with government actors, community leaders, and international partners
• Cross-cultural communication – excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and influencing skills, with sensitivity to diverse cultural contexts
• Integrity and resilience – demonstrated discretion, sound judgment, and perseverance in navigating complex challenges
• Problem-solving and adaptability – able to analyse situations, anticipate risks, and adapt strategies as needed.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

Location: Accra, Ghana.  Applicants must have the pre-existing legal right to work in Ghana. IJM is not able to offer relocation (domestic and international) and immigration support for this position.

Salary and Benefits: Competitive within industry standard, as well as other benefits such as medical insurance and a staff care package

Contract length: Permanent

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 Ethics. Candidate selection is based on technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring criteria subject to assessing the candidate’s value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes.

IJM requires a background check, police clearance and thorough review of references with an employment offer and/or employment contract.

HOW TO APPLY

Closing date: 28^th October

To apply please click ‘Apply Now’ above

Candidates are kindly asked to submit the following documents in MS Word.

• A CV of no more than four (04) pages
• A Cover letter and Statement of Faith* in one document

All application documents (cover letter and CV) should be submitted in English.

*What is a statement of faith?

A statement of faith should describe your Christian faith and how you see it as relevant to your involvement with IJM. It should be incorporated into your cover letter and include, at a minimum, a description of your spiritual disciplines (prayer, study, etc.) and your current fellowship or place of worship.

Should you require access to information in a different format to facilitate your application please contact us via [email protected]

Please name your files as follows:

FirstName_Surname_CV_DIRATP

FirstName_Surname_CL_DIRATP

Red Sea takes our responsibility towards protecting your personal data very seriously. The data you provide is processed in line with relevant data protection legislation. For the purposes of this recruitment, and as defined under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Red Sea is defined as the Data Controller.

Red Sea is committed to meeting the standards set out in our Equality and Diversity statement, acting in line with the UK Equalities Act 2010 and building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce in encouraging equality and diversity.