Project Director

**Position Title:**Project Director

Contract Type: Part-Time position (60% FTE)

Location: Vancouver (Canada) or Guatemala City (Guatemala) or Panama City (Panama)

Project Duration: July 11, 2022, to February 28, 2024 (TBC)

ABOUT THE JUSTICE EDUCATION SOCIETY

Justice Education Society of British Columbia (JES) is a Canadian non-profit organization with over 30 years of experience in advancing the rule of law by empowering people to access and deliver justice through increasing legal capability, strengthening justice systems and developing digital solutions. JES has programs and offices in Canada, Guyana, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama, and also works in Costa Rica, Colombia and El Salvador. JES has diverse sources of funding including donors and provincial, federal and overseas governments. More information on JES is available at: www.JusticeEducation.ca.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

JES has been working in Panama for over 5 years, and in April 2021 started its latest project with the support of Global Affairs Canada. This justice sector capacity building project focuses on providing technical assistance and equipment for agencies combatting human trafficking. The objective of the project is to improve the capacity of the justice sector to combat human trafficking, reduce impunity for transnational criminal networks, and provide greater protection of the human rights of victims, particularly for women and girls. The local partners are the national police, public prosecutors and judiciary, as well as select civil society organizations, not only in Panama but also from Costa Rica and Colombia.

JES is working with Canadian and regional subject matter experts to deliver an intensive capacity building program that achieves the following outcomes:

1. Improves technical capacity and gender-responsive practices in the investigation of human trafficking cases in Panama.
2. Improves capacity to prosecute and convict perpetrators of human trafficking in a gender-responsive manner in Panama.
3. Strengthens gender-responsive mechanisms and transnational cooperation to combat human trafficking, as it affects women and girls, in Panama, Colombia, and Costa Rica.

THE POSITION

Reporting to the International Program Director (IPD), the Project Director will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the project to ensure that strategic objectives are achieved, that activities are delivered on time and on budget, and that reports for donors and JES management are high-quality. This person will serve as the primary liaison and point of contact with international partners and consultants. Part of this work involves the ongoing review of contracts and invoices, and the drafting of all external communications for stakeholders.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Program Development and Delivery

• Meet with partners to determine best strategies for achieving the project outcomes.
• Produce an annual project plan in consultation with the In-Country Project Manager and the International Program Director.
• Ensure that activities are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest standard.
• Oversee the implementation of project activities.
• Negotiate and supervise work of international experts and monitor for results.

Reporting and Compliance

• In consultation with the In-Country Project Manager, produce all narrative and financial reports in accordance with funder requirements.
• Assist in producing financial reports in accordance with funder requirements and in consultation with the International Program Director and JES Finance Director.
• Produce ad hoc reports for the International Program Director, donors or partners as required.
• Ensure compliance of all JES policies, including Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Gender and Diversity, and Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Policies.

Financial Management

• Provide oversight of all project funds according to JES accounting and financial policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with JES and donor procurement requirements.
• Approve all project expenses and produce financial reporting of project expenses as needed.
• Provide regular budget projections to JES management and advise of any variance from the Project Plan.
• Produce financial reports in accordance with funder requirements in collaboration with the Director of Finance and Procurement.

People Management

• Provide oversight of all project staff performance, development and growth.
• Develop and/or review project staff job descriptions as required, in collaboration with the In-Country Project Manager and HR Manager, and in accordance with JES HR policies.
• Supervise and evaluate the performance of the In-Country Project Manager in accordance with JES HR policies.
• Develop Terms of References for all project consultants in consultation with the In-Country Project Manager.
• Provide guidance and approve all deliverables produced by consultants and contractors.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Contribute to and regularly update a Performance Management Framework in accordance with donor requirements, with a particular focus on the project outcomes with a GBA+ perspective.
• Coordinate with the In-Country Project Manager to implement project evaluation and monitoring systems and assessment of project impact.
• Ensure that all donor contract responsibilities with respect to monitoring, reporting and evaluation activities are met.

Risk Management

• Proactively monitor risks, advise the International Program Director and JES CEO of changes in risk profiles and recommend risk mitigation strategies.

Other work-related duties as assigned.

THE PERSON

Education

• Post-graduate education in a relevant discipline such as business administration, project management, international development, human rights, law or equivalent.

Knowledge, skills and experience

• 5-10 years’ experience in leading and managing international development projects, preferably in Latin America.
• Knowledge of international development issues, trends and practices.
• Experience working in multicultural teams in an international context.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and a proven ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Budgeting experience and financial management skills.
• Proven experience reporting to donors on international projects.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office package and G-Suite.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
• Highly organized.

Required

• Domestic and international travel is required.
• Excellent verbal and written skills in both English and Spanish.
• Understanding of Gender Based Analysis (GBA+) and programming.
• Must be eligible to work in Canada or Guatemala or Panama.

Preferred

• Knowledge of law enforcement practices against human trafficking.
• Experience developing or delivering professional education programs.
• Experience working in Colombia, Panama and/or Costa Rica.