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.
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 Specialist, Product Governance.
The Specialist, Product Governance is a member of the Operations and Portfolio Management (OPM) team within the Global Programs division. Global Programs exists to assist IJM field teams around the world by providing a unified source for strategy, standards and policies, and products and services. This position will also work closely with our Global Technology and Program teams.
The Specialist represents programmatic business needs in the continued build, maintenance and strategic direction of the Justice Data Solution (JDS) and Partner Portal (PP), Salesforce systems built to manage IJM’s programmatic data. They are responsible for ensuring these products are aligned with IJM’s overall strategy by maintaining a clear vision, goals and overall product roadmap.
The Specialist, Product Governance will also facilitate the JDS and PP Governance Committee, comprised of key staff throughout the organization. This committee will assess and prioritize product enhancements, monitor adoption, and escalate major system issues. Along with the governance committee, this position is responsible for working with global and local Subject Matter Experts to review, update and maintain relevant business processes in the systems. They are also responsible for developing an updated training strategy for end users and new staff.
This role will require international travel up to one week per quarter.
This position is hybrid (onsite Tuesdays & Thursdays) if located in the Washington, DC area or remote for non-local candidates. It reports to the Director, Operations and Portfolio Management and is only available for candidates with the right to work in the US.
The success of this role is measured by the following KRAs:
Business Process Monitoring and Updating: Ensure JDS and Partner Portal are up to date with accurate programmatic business processes and requirements. Work with global and local SMEs to ensure product alignment on all relevant program requirements.
Risk management: Identify and mitigate risks related to product performance, security, compliance.
Product Training and Adoption: Build a training and adoption strategy for rolling out new features, onboarding new staff, and ensuring long term product adoption.
Lead Governance Committee: Continue to build and lead the JDS and PP Governance Committee. Ensure strong framework for roles, responsibilities and decision-making processes involved in product management.
Roadmap planning: Create and maintain product roadmaps. Define clear objectives and key results for the products and ensure alignment with the IJM’s overall strategy.
Release Management and Product Communication: Ensure a structured approach to planning, coordinating and executing product releases, including version control, quality assurance and deployment. Develop communication strategy for product updates and key learnings.
Feedback and Iteration: Ensure the product is continuously evaluated and improved using principles in Human Centered Design and/or Design Thinking. Work alongside IJM’s Global Innovation and Design Center to ensure updates align with customer needs. Ensure the product reflects the changing program realities, end user needs and strategic priorities.
Ensure Collaboration Across Key Stakeholders and Leaders: Foster collaboration among cross-functional teams, ensuring effective communication and alignment throughout the product development process.
Networking & Partnership
Work closely with the Global Technology (GTS) team to ensure alignment on product needs and priorities.
Build a framework for collaboration between GTS, Global Programs and Regional teams to ensure alignment on program needs, changes and updates.
Collaborate with the Global Programs and Enterprise Portfolio Management teams to share key product updates and risks as needed.
Lead a cross-divisional Governance Committee. Ensure clear roles and responsibilities for all staff involved to increase effectiveness.
Documentation, Reporting & Data Management
Develop a process for reporting on system adoption metrics and escalating issues when needed.
Work alongside the Global Programs and Regional Program teams to ensure product is solving key data management needs.
Strategy, Knowledge Development & Implementation
Develop a high level understanding of program business processes to allow for effective collaboration and ensure product aligns with overall program strategy.
Work with the Global Innovation and Design Center to use Human Centered Design to better understand strategic program needs and issues related to the product. Work with GIDC to build, design and test prototypes.
Develop and lead strategy to promote product and generate buy-in across all levels of the organization.
Policies and Procedures
Develop and roll out necessary policies and procedures around product usage and adoption.
Work closely with the Risk Management team to ensure product meets all necessary regulations and requirements.
Communication
Communicate product changes to key stakeholders.
Regularly communicate with the Global Programs Leadership team about key updates, issues, and changes.
Develop strategy to communicate wins and lessons learned by global users.
Training and Development
Develop strategy to provide update trainings on products as changes are made.
Develop strategy for onboarding new staff and updating leaders on key changes they need to be aware of.
General Tasks
Participate in IJM’s community of spiritual formation.
Education & Experience
Minimum of six (6) years’ experience in product governance, program or project management, product ownership or business analytics.
Bachelor’s Degree in tech or business related field.
Extensive experience working in a cross-cultural environment and across varied teams (technology, business, user experience).
Proven ability to work with a diverse team of experts and specialists.
Technical Competencies
Familiarity with Salesforce or similar platforms, or ability to learn.
Agile Project Management or Basic Knowledge.
Basic understanding of HCD or Design Thinking Principles.
Non-Technical Competencies
Ability to build unity and alignment across teams and projects.
Strong relationship and interpersonal skills with demonstrated success in developing excellent working relationships with various people.
Exceptional collaborator with diverse teams.
High credibility with staff and partners.
Eager commitment to IJM's Core Values: Christian, Professional and Bridge-Building;
Self-starter with strong initiative;
Disciplined with priorities;
Strong interpersonal skills and self-awareness;
Exceptional verbal and written communication;
Flexible, collaborative and eager to support others;
Effective team player who fosters collaborative environment; and
Adept at creative problem solving.
Upload Resume, Cover Letter & 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 or submitted as 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.
Monthly commuter and parking benefits in the DC metro area
Retirement benefit options
Paid leave starting at 23 days
12 holidays (plus early release the 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. Candidate selection is based on technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring criteria subject to assessing the candidate’s value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes.
At IJM, we’re committed to building a diverse workforce through fair and equitable employment practices. IJM encourages people of any race, color, age, sex, marital status or political ideology to apply for employment. While we welcome everyone into this work, we truly believe that the work we are doing is God’s work, not our own, and practice spiritual disciplines together daily. That’s why 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.
IJM requires a background check, police clearance and thorough review of references with an employment offer and/or employment contract.
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