International Justice Mission

Director of Security Operations, Programs

International Justice Mission  •  Virginia (Remote)  •  3 hours ago
Apply
AI can make mistakes so check important info. Chat history is never stored.

Job Description

Who We Are

InternationalJustice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world. Our team of over 1,300 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

The Need

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% forvery largepopulations of people in poverty. As we grow to expand our impact to protect 500 million people from violence,we are seeking a Director of Security Operationsto serve as the principal security partner to IJM's program leadership, ensuring security considerations are embedded into program design, operational planning, survivor engagement strategies, investigative operations, and geographic expansion initiatives from the outset.

This roleoperatesfrom a clear mission-enabling posture. IJM's work is hard, and at times dangerous. The organizationmaintainsa high tolerance for measured risk because the mission often requires operating in places and circumstances that other organizations may avoid. The Director of Security Operations is not a gatekeeper whose default posture is to stop or delay programs. Rather, this leader exists to help programs keep moving forward by shaping safe, practical, and risk-informed ways of operating in complex environments.

Working in close partnership with program leadership, the

Directoridentifiesemerging threats,anticipatesfuture operational requirements, and develops security frameworks that support program growth, innovation, and operational effectiveness. Bymaintainingearly visibility into evolving casework models, survivor engagement strategies, office expansions, and new operational initiatives, the Director ensures security considerations are integrated proactively rather than applied retroactively.

Success in this role is measured not by the avoidance of risk, but by the ability to help programs achieve theirobjectivessafely, responsibly, and without unnecessary operational delay. The Director of Security Operations serves as a trusted advisor, strategic partner, and problem solver who balances missionobjectiveswith the safety of staff, survivors, witnesses, partners, and the organization. All of this is done with a standard of excellence.

This position is hybrid (onsite Tuesdays & Thursdays) iflocatedin the Washington, DC area or remote for non-local candidates. It reports tothe Vice President, Safety and Securityand is only available for candidates with the right to work in the US.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Management

  • Provide strategic leadership for IJM's global Program Security function, ensuring security is fully integrated into program planning and operations and serves as a critical enabler of mission success in IJM complex program environments;

  • Serve as a trusted advisor to senior program leaders and contribute to organizational strategy, risk management, and decision-making processes;

  • Foster a culture of mission-enabling security, accountability, collaboration, spiritual health, and operational excellence;

  • Lead, supervise, coach, and develop Program Security personnel as assigned;

  • Provide security leadership during crises, critical incidents, and other high-risk operational situations affecting programs, staff, survivors, and partners;

Strategy, Knowledge Development & Implementation

  • Partner with program leadership to integrate security considerations into new program models, strategic initiatives, office expansions, and operational planning;

  • Provide early analysis of emerging programmatic risks and opportunities to support informed decision-making;

  • Develop and implement program security frameworks, standards, and solutions that enable programs tooperateeffectively in challenging environments;

  • Maintain visibility into future program direction and operational changes to proactively prepare security capabilities and infrastructure;

  • Contribute subject matterexpertiseto organizational planning, policy development, and implementation of IJM's Theory of Change;

Networking & Partnership

  • Develop andmaintainstrategic relationships with global and regional program leaders, survivor services leaders, legal teams, investigations teams, and operational stakeholders;

  • Serve as the primary security point of contact for assigned programs and initiatives;

  • Collaborate with Regional Security Directors to ensure alignment between program priorities and regional security support;

  • Represent the Global Safety & Security Team in cross-functional planning forums, working groups, and organizational initiatives;

Policies & Procedures

  • Develop, review, andmaintainprogram security policies, standards, protocols, and operational guidance;

  • Ensure security considerations are incorporated into program design processes, operational planning frameworks, and organizational procedures;

  • Recommend improvements to security governance, risk management processes, and operational standards based on emerging threats and lessons learned;

  • Support the implementation and continuous improvement of the Field Security Operations Manual and relatedguidance documents;

Communication

  • Communicate security risks, mitigation measures, and operational recommendations clearly to program and organizational leadership;

  • Prepare security briefings, assessments, decision-support documents, and executive updates related to program operations;

  • Facilitate rapid communication and decision-making during incidents, crises, and high-risk operational activities;

  • Promote a shared understanding of risk tolerance and mission-enabling security throughout the organization;

Training & Development

  • Develop and deliver training, workshops, and briefings to strengthen security awareness and risk management capabilities across program teams;

  • Provide coaching and informal mentoring to program leaders on security planning and operational risk management;

  • Support organizational capacity-building initiatives related to staff safety, survivor protection, and program security practices;

Research, Program Management & M&E

  • Conduct security risk assessments and operational reviews for new initiatives, office expansions, investigations, survivor services activities, and other program operations;

  • Monitor security trends, emerging threats, and operational risks that mayimpactprogram effectiveness;

  • Evaluate the effectiveness of security measures and recommend adjustments to support programobjectives;

  • Support after-action reviews, lessons learned processes, and continuous improvement initiatives following significant incidents or operational activities;and

  • Participation in IJM’s community of spiritual formation

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Security Management, Criminal Justice, International Relations, Risk Management, Emergency Management, Law Enforcement, Military Studies, or a related field;

  • Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in security, risk management, humanitarian operations, law enforcement, military service, international development, or a related field;

  • Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience managing complex security operations or risk programs;

  • Demonstrated experience conducting security risk assessments and developing mitigation strategies in high-risk environments;

  • Experience supporting investigations, legal operations, survivor-centered programming, or other sensitive operational activities;

  • Experience working in international or cross-cultural settings;

  • Demonstratedexpertisein program security risk management, security risk assessment, and mitigation planning;

  • Experience supporting program operations, survivor protection, field security, and duty of care initiatives;

  • Experience providing strategic security advice and executive-level risk communication;

  • Experience designing and delivering security training and capacity-building programs;

  • Experience developing security policies, governance structures, and operational frameworks;

  • Demonstrated capability in crisis management, incident response, and business continuity planning;

  • Experience conducting intelligence analysis and threat assessments to support operational decision-making;

  • Ability to lead across functions and coordinate effectively within complex, matrixed stakeholder environments;

  • Experienceleveragingsecurity technology and travel risk management systems to support organizationalobjectives;

  • Advanced degree in a related field;

  • Professional certifications such as CPP, PSP, PCI, CSMP, ISO 31000 Risk Management, or equivalent;

  • Experience supporting anti-trafficking, human rights, rule of law, child protection, or humanitarian organizations;

  • Experience working across multiple geographic regions and complex stakeholder environments; and

  • Mature orthodox Christian faith as defined by the Apostles' Creed.

Critical Qualities:

  • Eager commitment to IJM's Core Values: Christian, Professional and Bridge-Building;

  • Strategic thinking and foresight;

  • Ability to influence without formal authority;

  • Mission-enabling mindset;

  • Sound judgment and decision-making;

  • Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills;

  • Executive presence and credibility;

  • Excellent communication and facilitation skills;

  • Adaptability and organizational agility;

  • Emotional intelligence and situational awareness;

  • Integrity and stewardship;

  • Self-starter with strong initiative;

  • Ability to navigate ambiguity and complexity with confidence; and

  • Commitment to excellence in service of IJM's mission.

Application Process:

Upload Resume, CoverLetter& Statement of Faith* in one PDF document

*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. The statement can either be incorporated into the cover letter orsubmittedas a separate document and should include, at a minimum, a description of your spiritual disciplines (prayer, study, etc.) and your current fellowship or place of worship.

What does IJM have to offer?

  • Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision benefits

  • Monthly commuter and parking benefits in the DC metro area

  • Retirement benefit options

  • Paid leave starting at23 days

  • 12 holidays (plusearly releasethe day prior)

  • 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 Ethics. Candidateselectionis based on technical competence, recruitment,selectionand hiringcriteria subject toassessingthecandidatesvalue congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes.

At IJM,we’recommitted to building a diverse workforce through fair andequitableemployment practices. IJM encourages people of any race, color, age, sex, maritalstatusor political ideology to apply for employment. While we welcome everyone into this work, wetruly believethat the work we are doing is God’s work, not our own, and practice spiritual disciplines together daily.That’swhy we legally require under SEC. 2000e-1 [Section702] of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that all employees practice a mature orthodox Christian faith, as defined by the Apostles’ Creed.

IJMrequiresa background check, policeclearanceand thorough review of references with an employment offer and/or employment contract.

International Justice Mission

About International Justice Mission

International Justice Mission(IJM) is a global organization that protects people in poverty from violence. We have an expansive network of partners and work with local authorities in 18 countries to combat slavery, violence against women and children, and police abuse of power. IJM works to rescue and restore victims, hold perpetrators accountable, strengthen public justice systems and scale the demand for sustainable protection.

Industry
Nonprofit & NGOs
Company Size
1,001-5,000 employees
Headquarters
Arlington, VA
Year Founded
1997
Website
ijm.org
Social Media