Director, Investigation & Law Enforcement Development

ABOUT IJM

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 25 years in 44 offices and 28 countries 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.

ABOUT THE ROLE

IJM is seeking a Director, Investigation and Law Enforcement Development (DILED) to provide cutting-edge leadership to IJM’s European Anti-Trafficking Program (EATP) in the area of investigation and law enforcement development (ILED).

In this role you will:-

• Equip multi-disciplinary teams in IJM Field Offices (FOs) and partner NGOs to support trafficking in human beings (THB) cases and develop law enforcement capacity to effectively respond to these cases.
• Build expertise at the regional level that advises stakeholders, builds innovative partnerships, and establishes best practices for EATP programming.
• Produce quality products, standards, and trainings for IJM and partners whilst also engaging in knowledge sharing with IJM’s global ILED professionals.
• Support in-country ILED programming, with an emphasis on FOs without full ILED teams.

This position reports to the HUB Director, European Anti-Trafficking Program, and is based in Bucharest, Romania with regular travel across the Europe.

KEY RESULT AREAS (KRA):

Regional ILED Strategy and Execution. Lead and engage IJM country teams to develop, build out, and execute short- and long-term strategies that are aligned with regional strategy and the global ILED framework, standards, and indicators. Work closely with field office ILED and program leaders to coordinate strategy, learnings, partnerships, and shared resources.

Drive intelligence-led decision-making in EATP management and planning of targeted responses, by fusing actionable information and delivering tailored and forward-looking knowledge products in a timely manner. The ILED will develop the information management strategy of the HUB based on gaps identified through casework or other activities (operational, meetings, trainings, etc).

Technical Assistance. Provide technical support to IJM country teams and partner NGOs to successfully implement casework and capacity building activities that result in sustainable criminal justice systems to effectively manage investigations and other related aspects of casework, as well as build capacity of local law enforcement to respond to human trafficking (sexual exploitation and labor exploitation).

External Engagement. Liaising with internal and external stakeholders (origin and destination countries), developing and maintaining business relationships with relevant entities.

ILED Resources and Products. Develop ILED tools, guidance documents, and learning resources to provide tangible value and guidance to IJM’s EATP teams and partners in the European region, including source, destination, and cross-border ILED models. Position IJM as a regional thought leader in investigation and law enforcement development related to human trafficking.

ILED Program Assessments and Expansion. Support the build out of regional expansion of EATP ILED programs and partnerships in the Europe region. Equip teams and partners to carry out ILED strategies in expansion countries, including onboarding of staff and start-up support for new offices. Support proposal development and program design as needed.

People Development. Strengthen expertise amongst EATP ILED staff and contribute to development of leadership pipelines, including identification of vetted consultants. Build and increase expertise at the regional level that will advise government and non-government stakeholders, build innovative partnerships, and establish best practices for ILED.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy, Knowledge Development, & Implementation:

• In collaboration with EATP leaders and ILED focal points, facilitate the process of developing and updating regional ILED strategy for European Anti-Trafficking Program.
• Ensure that the design, development, and implementation of ILED programs under the EATP are aligned with IJM’s 2030 vision and IJM’s Global and Hub strategies.
• Develop knowledge products and tools to support capacity building for law enforcement, NGO partners and other stakeholders.
• Develop strategies to help law enforcement, NGOs and industry better detect situations of human trafficking, leading to improved data-sharing and coordination among relevant stakeholders.
• Remain up to date on innovative trends and developments in ILED approaches globally and regionally through research, exposure/learning trips, and networking; propose enhancements or integration of best practices into existing IJM programs.
• Support expansion assessments and subsequent design and development of law enforcement development projects and programs in alignment with IJM’s EATP strategy.
• Liaise and build relationships with national law enforcement entities and European and International criminal justice system actors.
• Advise other NGOs, industry, and government officials in various contexts regarding EATP matters and IJM’s programming.

Policies & Procedures:

• Ensure compliance with Global ILED Policies. Develop and contextualize replicable policies, guidelines, best practices, and other processes related to EATP ILED.
• Ensure that the best practices and lessons learned are well documented.
• Support the development of EATP ILED policies and procedures related to expert consulting, strategic test cases, product development, etc.
• Support the development of EATP ILED best practice documents related to training, partner and law enforcement capacity assessment, justice system expansion assessments, etc.

Networking & Partnership:

• Establish and nurture cooperative relationships with regional professionals, organizations, and coalitions related to EATP ILED.
• Represent IJM’s EATP ILED program in coalition and stakeholder meetings, conferences, and workshops.
• Engage with new and existing government law enforcement partners to establish new programs and to share best practices across EATP country programs.

Communication:

• Act as a liaison between EATP ILED staff and the Global Programs team on global ILED projects, strategy, and resource development.
• Support development of briefs, fact sheets, and other communication resources as necessary that articulates IJM’s approach and strategy in supporting THB cases and developing law enforcement capacity to effectively respond to THB cases.
• Ensure knowledge sharing and lessons learned among IJM programs, promoting avenues for shared learnings and collaboration.
• Prepare/contribute to speeches, presentations, media talking points, etc. for delivery yourself or by other IJM leaders on EATP-related matters in various international meetings, conferences, etc.

Training and Development:

• In collaboration with EATP leaders, identify internal capacity building needs for IJM ILED teams; develop resources and training or mentoring plans to equip teams with necessary knowledge and skills.
• In collaboration with EATP teams, develop or adapt external capacity building training resources and curricula for external partners and service providers.
• Facilitate training and coaching/mentoring for both internal IJM staff and external partners in necessary skills and capacities needed to effectively support THB cases and build law enforcement capacity to respond to THB cases.

Research, Program Management, and M&E:

• In collaboration with Hub and FO programs, Program Manager, MERL and ILED staff, consult on the design of M&E plans and research studies, and support the data collection and analysis of global standardized indicators for EATP.

Field Support:

• Remotely support, through expert consulting, IJM country teams and national and foreign law enforcement partners in human trafficking cases.
• Review and give input on FO ILED reports and strategies, as needed.
• Assist in the coordination/coordinate and manage operational activities related to transnational cases referred through partners in advance offices, including support for team leaders in coordinating teams’ activities and tasks as required.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant discipline. Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience conducting criminal investigations with a public law enforcement agency.
• Minimum 5 years of experience investigating human trafficking, including demonstrable familiarity and experience with transnational crime.
• Demonstrated expertise in online investigative techniques preferred.
• Commendations for excellence in performance will be considered and weighted heavily.

Technical Competencies

• Familiarity with global law enforcement networks that combat THB.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to make complex technical concepts easy to understand and present to large audiences.
• Prior experience living and working in Europe required.
• Fluency in oral and written English.
• Leadership, team building, mentoring, coaching, consulting, and training
• Demonstrated interest in human rights and social justice.
• International/cross-cultural experience in development, relief, legal, law enforcement, or other fields.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Non-Technical Competencies

• Demonstrates servant leadership and the values of IJM
• Strong service ethic and passion to help people suffering injustice.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and disciplined with priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Patient, flexible, and persistent.
• Unfailing integrity and honesty.
• Effective team player and leader.
• Works well under stress and minimal supervision.
• Punctual, manages time and resources effectively.
• Professional, diplomatic, and mature in judgment and demeanor.
• Able to work effectively and appropriately in a cross-cultural setting.
• Able to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

APPOINTMENT DETAILS

Location: Bucharest, Romania and is available to be hybrid within Bucharest (onsite Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and remote Monday and Wednesday). The position requires the right to work in Romania. Ability to travel within Romania and Europe, up to 50% of the time.

Salary and Benefits: National salary benefits package including:

• Comprehensive Medical Service Plan
• Life Insurance
• 24 days paid leave
• Quarterly Retreats
• Robust staff care resources

**Contract length:**Initial two (02) year contract. Full time (40 hours/week).

How to apply

Closing date: 28th September 2025

Please click on the link here to be redirected to the Red Sea site. As part of the application process kindly submit your CV and a cover letter, preferably in MS Word. All application documents (cover letter and CV) should be submitted in English.

In addition, IJM kindly requests that you provide a statement of faith as part of their standard application process. Kindly include this as part of your cover letter.

This statement should outline your core Christian faith and how it informs your personal and professional life. We appreciate your thoughtful consideration in sharing this important aspect of your background with us and IJM.

Candidates are kindly asked to submit a CV of no more than four (04) pages and a cover letter, preferably in MS Word. All application documents (cover letter and CV) should be submitted in English.

Should you require access to information in a different format to facilitate your application please contact us via applications@redseasearch.com

Please name your files as follows:

FirstName_Surname_CV_DILED

FirstName_Surname_CL_DILED

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

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.