Director of Security Operations, Programs
Description
Who We Are
International Justice 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 .
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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% for very large populations of people in poverty. As we grow to expand our impact to protect 500 million people from violence, w e are seeking a Director of Security Operations to 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 role operates from a clear mission-enabling posture. IJM's work is hard, and at times dangerous. The organization maintains a 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
Director identifies emerging threats, anticipates future operational requirements, and develops security frameworks that support program growth, innovation, and operational effectiveness. By maintaining early 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 their objectives safely, responsibly, and without unnecessary operational delay. The Director of Security Operations serves as a trusted advisor, strategic partner, and problem solver who balances mission objectives with 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) if located in the Washington, DC area or remote for non-local candidates. It reports to the Vice President, Safety and Security and is only available for candidates with the right to work in the US.
Responsibilities
Leadership & Management
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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;
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Serve as a trusted advisor to senior program leaders and contribute to organizational strategy, risk management, and decision-making processes;
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Foster a culture of mission-enabling security, accountability, collaboration, spiritual health, and operational excellence;
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Lead, supervise, coach, and develop Program Security personnel as assigned;
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Provide security leadership during crises, critical incidents, and other high-risk operational situations affecting programs, staff, survivors, and partners;
Strategy, Knowledge Development & Implementation
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Partner with program leadership to integrate security considerations into new program models, strategic initiatives, office expansions, and operational planning;
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Provide early analysis of emerging programmatic risks and opportunities to support informed decision-making;
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Develop and implement program security frameworks, standards, and solutions that enable programs to operate effectively in challenging environments;
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Maintain visibility into future program direction and operational changes to proactively prepare security capabilities and infrastructure;
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Contribute subject matter expertise to organizational planning, policy development, and implementation of IJM's Theory of Change;
Networking & Partnership
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Develop and maintain strategic relationships with global and regional program leaders, survivor services leaders, legal teams, investigations teams, and operational stakeholders;
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Serve as the primary security point of contact for assigned programs and initiatives;
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Collaborate with Regional Security Directors to ensure alignment between program priorities and regional security support;
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Represent the Global Safety & Security Team in cross-functional planning forums, working groups, and organizational initiatives;
Policies & Procedures
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Develop, review, and maintain program security policies, standards, protocols, and operational guidance;
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Ensure security considerations are incorporated into program design processes, operational planning frameworks, and organizational procedures;
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Recommend improvements to security governance, risk management processes, and operational standards based on emerging threats and lessons learned;
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Support the implementation and continuous improvement of the Field Security Operations Manual and related guidance documents ;
Communication
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Communicate security risks, mitigation measures, and operational recommendations clearly to program and organizational leadership;
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Prepare security briefings, assessments, decision-support documents, and executive updates related to program operations;
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Facilitate rapid communication and decision-making during incidents, crises, and high-risk operational activities;
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Promote a shared understanding of risk tolerance and mission-enabling security throughout the organization;
Training & Development
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Develop and deliver training, workshops, and briefings to strengthen security awareness and risk management capabilities across program teams;
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Provide coaching and informal mentoring to program leaders on security planning and operational risk management;
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Support organizational capacity-building initiatives related to staff safety, survivor protection, and program security practices;
Research, Program Management & M&E
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Conduct security risk assessments and operational reviews for new initiatives, office expansions, investigations, survivor services activities, and other program operations;
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Monitor security trends, emerging threats, and operational risks that may impact program effectiveness;
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Evaluate the effectiveness of security measures and recommend adjustments to support program objectives ;
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Support after-action reviews, lessons learned processes, and continuous improvement initiatives following significant incidents or operational activities; and
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Participation in IJM’s community of spiritual formation .
Qualifications
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Bachelor's degree in Security Management , Criminal Justice, International Relations, Risk Management, Emergency Management, Law Enforcement, Military Studies, or a related field;
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Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in security, risk management, humanitarian operations, law enforcement, military service, international development, or a related field;
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Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience managing complex security operations or risk programs;
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Demonstrated experience conducting security risk assessments and developing mitigation strategies in high-risk environments;
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Experience supporting investigations, legal operations, survivor-centered programming, o