Director of Operations

Director of Operations

IJM – International Justice Mission

Sofia, Bulgaria

The Director of Operations will work closely with the Director of the European Anti-Trafficking Program to ensure the field office Bulgaria achieve their goals to collaborate with government, civil society and other partners to implement IJM’s justice system strengthening model. This will include building capacity in the criminal justice system to sustainably and effectively enforce the law through supporting victims of human trafficking, building survivor services capacity and a network of care to ensure their empowerment, securing perpetrator accountability under the law, thereby protecting those vulnerable against human trafficking. The Director of Operations will ensure employee engagement, safety, security, as well as professional development of all staff. This position also monitors and controls the budget, expenditure, and program activities to ensure program goals are achieved. The Director of Operations engages directly with regional operations, advancement and activiation activities, and drives staff performance.

Key Result Areas

Leadership

• Hold overall responsibility for the development and implementation of all aspects of the EATP program for Bulgaria office.
• Provide strategic guidance, strong leadership and ensure technically sound decision-making processes.

Strategy & Project Management

• Work collaboratively with EATP Director to engage in strategic planning for developing detailed interventions plans, budgets, targets etc.
• Oversee the execution of the EATP program in Bulgaria, ensuring that project managers manage scope, timeline, and budget and that projects achieve their intended objectives.

Partnerships

• Develop strong partnerships with government partners, Bulgarian civil society communities, local NGO and churches to create sustained will for the transformation of the criminal justice system so that it better protects victims of trafficking.

Roles and Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Ensure that IJM Bulgaria program’s objectives are met resulting in successful justice system strengthening and protection of those vulnerable across Europe.
• Mentor the Bulgaria team staff as required in all aspects of their work, including leadership, strategy development, project/program development and management, budget management, and staff care, and training.
• Ensure all Bulgarian staff, interns, fellows and volunteers have a clear understanding of IJM’s mission, operational values, global vision, and Bulgaria program, objectives and strategic goals.
• Lead, manage and motivate Bulgaria team, ensuring they have clear objectives and receive meaningful feedback on their performance regularly, in collaboration with the human resources department.
• Monitor program and staff performance, ensure that feedback is regularly provided, and ensure fair staff care.
• Foster a team mindset and culture in the office and inspire the team to be effective and efficient and to pursue excellence.
• Cultivating IJM’s brand and culture by celebrating and promoting organizational rhythms and core values.

Strategy & Knowledge Development & Implementation

• Ensure the design, development and implementation of Bulgaria Justice System Strengthening Projects in alignment with IJM’s 2030 vision, theory of change, and IJM’s global strategy.
• Ensure the formulation of innovative program design that addresses major obstacles to justice for those vulnerable.
• Ensure proper monitoring of Bulgarian projects such that program activities lead to the accomplishment of all project goals.
• Work closely with the EATP’s program leaders to ensure accomplishment of the Bulgaria’s project goals and other strategic objectives as agreed upon with the EATP Director.

Networking & Partnership

• Develop strong partnerships with government partners, European civil society communities, local NGO and churches to advance the EATP’s objectives.
• Actively participate in regional program expansion, activation, and advancement activities.
• Represent IJM’s programs before government organisations, non-governmental organisations, media outlets, and other stakeholders and audiences.
• Support efforts to ensure adequate funding for Bulgaria program from both private and institutional donors as required (through supporting donor visits and the development of project proposals for different private and government donors, in collaboration with the Program Director and EATP Director.

Communication

• Promote IJM’s theory of change to internal and external stakeholders and monitor the communication strategy of the staff to the internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure consistent and clear flow of communication to all Bulgarian staff.
• Work closely with advocacy and communications team to ensure that the organization’s work is well messaged ensuring quality and global guidelines are followed.

Project Management

• Ensure projects are successfully designed, implemented and executed with high levels of accountability standards.
• Oversee Grants and overall budgetary allocation to ensure judicious expenditures and alignment to projected expenses.

Training and Development

• Oversee the design, development, and implementation of training programs for the external stakeholders and field office staff.

Research, Program Management and M&E

• Work closely with the Project Managers and MERL staff to ensure the design, development and implementation of justice strengthening projects are supportive of IJM’s mission and in line with IJM’s core strategies, justice policy, and justice program framework.
• Work with the MERL team to ensure proper monitoring of Bulgarian projects such that program activities lead to the accomplishment of all project goals.
• Ensure development of Bulgarian project documentation, including concept notes, proposals, baseline terms of reference and budgets.

Documentation, Reporting & Data Management

• Ensure monthly, quarterly reports are sent to the EATP Director and the Program Director through JDS reporting.
• Ensure that Global/Regional programmatic requirements are met (e.g. phase gate, program building blocks, protection model, intervention development).

Events and Logistics

• Oversee and approve the conceptualization of Bulgarian events for external stakeholders (e.g. cross-border conferences).
• Ensure excellence in execution of events aligned to the program needs and 2030 vision by the Bulgarian staff.

General Accounting & Statutory Compliance

• Support the cash flow of the office, spending trends and monitor the budget allocation.
• Support Bulgaria office compliance with all statutory requirement for policies and procedures
• Support the government registration of all the interns and fellows in the office.

Other General tasks

• In collaboration with the EATP Director and regional security staff, ensure the security of all operations and IJM Bulgaria personnel, maintaining compliance with IJM’s security policies and reporting to IJM leadership on security matters as they develop.
• Ensure all staff on field follow security protocols and ensure crisis management.

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree in business and administration, international development, human rights, public policy, or related field preferred (or additional experience).
• At least 10 years’ experience in international development programs.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in successfully leading and managing teams of professionals; experience managing international teams and/or cross-cultural teams; and, a proven ability to supervise the work of lawyers, social workers, and other professionals and managers strongly preferred.
• Previous experience working with international organizations.
• Knowledge of standards relating to program design, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Demonstrated success in working on projects and budgets.
• Experience managing government partnerships.
• Demonstrated 5 years+ experience designing, managing and implementing successful institutional donor grants with preference for EU and USG funding, strong preference for both.
• Familiarity with Bulgarian anti-trafficking legislation, and NGO operational frameworks is preferred.

Technical Competencies

• Strategic, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Planning, organizing and multi-tasking skills.
• Proven ability to quickly learn and understand complex subject matter.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Superb written and verbal communication skills in English and, with a keen eye for detail. Fluency in Bulgarian is an advantage.
• Ability to use tools for monitoring and evaluation and data analysis.
• Organized and able to work in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work under pressure and strict deadlines.

Critical Qualities

• Passionate commitment to IJM’s mission and values including bridge building and professional.
• Servant leader, kind and humble.
• Courageous, ability to think creatively and innovatively.
• Attention to detail, organized and disciplined with priorities.
• Professional in demeanour, appearance, writing and oral communication.
• Works well under stress with a sustained positive attitude.
• Exceptionally high level of honesty and integrity.
• Intelligent, creative and proactive problem solver.
• Diplomatic and flexible with strong service ethics.
• Ability to contribute outside of the designated areas of responsibility, team player.

Requirements

• Full-time.
• Ability to travel within Europe as required, approximately 1/3 of the time.

Preference

• Driver’s license for Bulgaria and/or international (preferred).

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