Who We Are
International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world. Our team of over 1,200 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.
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, we are seeking a Director, Program Design & Management to provide visionary leadership and strategic direction to advance IJM’s mission of protecting vulnerable populations from violence through justice system strengthening, partnership development, and organizational excellence. This role originates and drives project strategy, cultivates high-impact relationships, and ensures operational, financial, and cultural alignment with IJM’s global goals, while fostering a resilient and high-performing team.
This position will also receive support from a wider international team of regional and global staff, particularly in areas of program quality, governance and legal compliance, new business development, grant acquisition and compliance, safety and security management, finance, and advocacy and communications.
Occasional travel within Ghana and the Africa region is required for this role.
This position is based in Kumasi, Ghana and reports to the Director, West Africa Program.
Responsibilities:
Leadership and Management:
Provide overall leadership, direction, and accountability for the Cocoa Project, ensuring alignment with IJM's mission, regional priorities, and strategic objectives;
Lead, supervise, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary team, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, collaboration, spiritual formation, and resilience;
Establish clear performance expectations and accountability mechanisms to ensure achievement of project goals and staff development objectives;
Champion staff wellbeing, safety, security, and professional growth, creating an environment that supports high engagement and sustainable performance; and
Serve as a member of the country leadership team, contributing to organizational planning, risk management, and strategic decision-making.
Strategy & Knowledge Development & Implementation:
Develop, implement, and continuously refine project strategies that strengthen justice system responses to child trafficking, forced labor, and exploitation within cocoa-growing communities;
Translate IJM's Theory of Change into practical, evidence-based interventions that contribute to sustainable systems reform and measurable impact;
Lead strategic planning processes and ensure project activities are aligned with national priorities, donor expectations, and regional objectives;
Utilize data, research findings, stakeholder feedback, and lessons learned to improve program effectiveness and identify opportunities for innovation and scale; and
Support the design and adaptation of justice system strengthening models that can be replicated and expanded across multiple contexts.
Networking & Partnership:
Build, strengthen, and maintain strategic relationships with government ministries, law enforcement agencies, child protection actors, civil society organizations, donors, private sector stakeholders, and community leaders;
Serve as the primary representative of the Cocoa Project with key external stakeholders, advancing collaboration and long-term systems change objectives;
Identify and cultivate opportunities for strategic partnerships that…