Operations Specialist, Risk

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 an Operations Specialist, Risk to help the Global Risk team work more collaboratively, efficiently, and effectively. This role supports the team’s strategic programs and related projects, as well as operational process, platform, and reporting design. It also assists with external vendor management, and day-to-day operations so team members can provide timely, high-quality risk management support across IJM.  

This person helps us organize and improve the deliverables, support, and information we provide to the organization. The role works with managers in Strategy, Operations, Legal, Security, and HR to make Risk work easier to manage and easier for internal clients to access and implement.  

The role also partners closely with Global Risk and Legal Operations on shared needs such as reporting, budgeting, planning and coordination support, and system improvements. Its purpose is to help Global Risk run smoothly, use resources well, and provide the strong operational support that IJM needs to protect people in poverty from violence.  

The role holder will need to be highly organized, discreet, and proactive, able to manage complex global schedules, coordinate travel-based trainings and workshops, handle logistical friction points, and manage multiple competing priorities. Because this function deals with sensitive safeguarding and high-risk matters, absolute confidentiality, emotional intelligence, and meticulous attention to detail are non-negotiable.   

This position is hybrid (onsite Tuesdays & Thursdays) if located in the Washington, DC area or remote for non-local candidates. It reports to the Program Manager, Risk and requires current authorization to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, now or in the future. 

Responsibilities: 

Leadership and Management:   

• Coordinate Global Risk program and project work (and related communications) across risk managers, operations managers, and internal clients by aligning priorities, clarifying requests, and developing project reporting tools and accountability mechanisms that keep work moving forward;  

• Help organize Global Risk priorities, track progress, identify operational bottlenecks, and support timely follow-through;  

• Support a clear, consistent, and service-oriented experience for internal clients by responding to incoming risk management requests in an organized, timely, and practical way; and  

• Partner closely with the GRL Operations function to coordinate operational initiatives, reporting, budget analyses, and continuous improvement efforts that affect Global Risk.  

Strategy Development & Implementation:   

• Help select, set up, maintain, and improve Global Risk tools, including systems for case intake, governing document review, risk assessments, reporting, and AI-supported work;  

• Stay informed about Risk operations practices, tools, and process improvements, and suggest practical ways Global Risk can use them;  

• Help improve how IJM employees submit and receive closure on complaints by making submission, triage and response mechanisms and processes clear and easy to use;  

• Help the team create, maintain, and share practical resources such as templates, checklists, guidance materials, lessons learned, and other tools that make risk management more consistent and efficient; and  

• Support the rollout of new risk management systems, tools, and processes by helping with internal communication, training, and user adoption.  

Team Enablement  

• Support Risk leadership and team members through scheduling meetings, drafting agendas, and assisting with workflow management and operational coordination;  

• Support relationship building and trust by facilitating thoughtful, fun, and culture-creating onboarding, training initiatives, retreats, and team-building events within the division; and  

• Act as the point of contact for all independent contractors and account subscriptions held by the Risk team, including matters relating to insurance, documentation and reporting, and continuing education.   

Collaboration & Partnership:   

• Develop strategic partnerships across the organization with relevant SMEs, program and country teams, external consultants, and peers within and outside the division to create open dialogue and relationships based on trust that will facilitate informed, valid, integrated, and relevant transformation of our risk culture;    

• Take a human-centered approach to gathering information and delivering results in every responsibility area, deeply listening to, engaging, empathizing, and collaborating with internal clients and other stakeholders to equip and understand their needs and the impact of your work on theirs; and   

• Participate in relevant communities of practice to facilitate coordination, support, and project work across pathways and divisions.   

General Tasks  

• Participate in IJM’s community of spiritual formation.  

Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or in a systems-focused Arts/Humanities field (e.g., Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology);  

• Minimum five years of broad experience in project, event, program or change management or a related field, preferably in international NGO, mission-driven, or complex operational environments;   

• Demonstrated success in supporting complex, multi-stakeholder projects, navigating ambiguity and cross-functional dependencies. Capacity to manage and execute several projects and tasks simultaneously;  

• A track record of working in or consulting for faith-based organizations or the International NGO sector, with a grasp of how this environment presents unique challenges and opportunities;   

• Excellent business writing skills;  

• Proven project management, events, planning, and process improvement skills;  

• Experience in Microsoft Office (OneNote, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook);  

• Excellent time management skills; and  

• Demonstrated success in problem-solving and finding creative, innovative solutions.  

 Critical Qualities: 

• Mature orthodox Christian faith as defined by the Apostles’ Creed;  

• Kind, patient and gracious when working across cultures;  

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally on an occasional and short-term basis;  

• Exceptional organizational skills, managing multiple initiatives, stakeholder; engagements, and governance requirements concurrently;   

• Maintains accurate records, tracks commitments and actions, and ensures timely follow-through on deliverables in a complex and evolving environment;  

• Strategic thinking strength balanced with drive to execution;   

• Deep commitment to communicating with empathy, with the ability to translate complexity into simplicity and clarity, synthesize for an executive audience, and educate and inform all stakeholders in a simple, coherent, memorable and persuasive style; and   

• Easily able to learn quickly, maintaining curiosity and openness as the landscape and environment become familiar. Awareness of own and others’ learning styles, and a focus on allowing the learning process to be a priority and integral to the journey.    

Application Process:  

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. 

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 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.