Lead, Survivor Networks

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 Lead, Survivor Networks who will lead the survivor networks team in empowering survivors to become leaders who speak into policy, programs and decisions at local, national and global levels and reduce survivors vulnerability to violence together with the community structures. The Lead, Survivor Networks will play a key role in the recruitment and successful engagement of the Local Survivor Networks in Uganda, including designing recruitment criteria, roles and responsibilities and maintainence of database of all survivor groups/network members. The Lead, Survivor Networks will coordinate, guide and track the implementation and team’s adherence to detailed implementation plans, budgets and report on progress and implementation challenges. The Lead Survivor Networks will also participate in developing an advocacy campaign, economic livelihood and case management model driven by survivors to combat violence against women and children. The Lead, Survivor Networks will lead a team to design the delivery of IJM Uganda’s programmatic and advocacy strategy for survivor networks, both at the field, the national and global levels. The position will also lead the programme to ensure survivor leadership and input in the design and execution of the national violence against women and children programme.

This position is based in Kampala with regular travel to the IJM field locations. The position reports to the Senior Manager, Advocacy and Community Engagement and is only available for candidates with the right to work in Uganda.

Responsibilities:

• Manage all Local Survivor Network initiatives ensuring strict adherence to the local program concept plan and strategic alignment to global program standards.
• Ensure high quality programme implementation while overseeing efficient deployment and assignment of tasks of the Coordinators, Community Engagement involved in implementing the survivor leadership interventions.
• Ensure strategic prioritization and allocation of resources to deliver successful support to the survivor networks in attainment of IJM Uganda’s advocacy goals and plans.
• Lead the creation of the local survivor network detailed implementation plans and regularly revise in accordance with program progress and decisions.
• Lead the Coordinators, Community Engagement in ensuring all measurement, evaluation, research and learning (MERL) data related to all survivor networks and groups is accurately captured within IJM Uganda data management systems.
• Lead the establishment, equipping and robust support to the local survivor network chapters ensuring consistent functionality and high impact advocacy wins.
• Demonstrate and model IJM values in all decisions.
• Foster a unified team mindset and culture across the field locations and inspire the team to be effective and efficient and to pursue excellence.
• Cultivate IJM’s brand and culture by celebrating and promoting organizational rhythms and core values.
• Engage and contribute to the IJM Uganda management team culture, modelled around a unified joyful commitment to spiritual formation, expert technical leadership and people management focused on building a unified healthy, national team that achieves high impact results.
• Support the Senior Manager Advocacy and Community Engagement in leading the co-design and implementation of the advocacy and engagement strategy for the Local Survivor Network and its attendant linkages with Global and Regional Networks.
• Oversee all advocacy campaigns and speaking engagements with survivor leaders ensuring their effective support to achieve set goals
• Support the survivor network in the development of strategies, messaging and tools for engaging communities in changing attitudes, norms and behaviors that violate women and children’s rights using their lived experiences and understanding of their community dynamics.
• Participate in the development of referral networks and linkages with stakeholders that will empower survivor networks and respond to cases.
• Identify and coordinate the participation of members of the survivor network in activities and fora with the aim of empowering survivors to become agents of change in their communities and advocates against violence against women and children.
• Assist in the development sustainable resource-based partnerships that assist in survivor service provision.
• Participate in linking survivors with relevant duty bearers to enable incorporation of survivor voice in policy and decision making.
• Ensure coordination and linkages between survivor networks and other local level actors such as the Local Council Courts, parasocial workers, community paralegals, traditional and cultural leaders, village health teams, Community Development Officers among others.
• Support the Senior Manager, Advocacy and Community Engagement to design and implement an economic empowerment and sustainable livelihood model for survivors.
• Lead the development of a case management model to equip survivor leaders as they support those experiencing violence to pursue justice.
• Establish mechanisms for gathering feedback from interactions with Survivors that is helpful for development of suitable policies and guidelines for the Survivor Leadership interventions.
• Identify and document best practices, stories of significant change on VAWC being implemented by survivor Networks.
• In collaboration with the Coordinator, Communications and Media, coordinate the production of effective communication, story-telling and advocacy materials for national and international audiences.
• In collaboration with the Coordinator, Communications and Media, coordinate media engagements for survivor activities across the different regions including accompanying survivors and extending and requested support in development of messaging.
• In collaboration with the Senior Manager Advocacy and Community Engagement support the design and implementation of a learning agenda for the local survivor network.
• Design and disseminate user friendly versions of materials for survivor use in conducting community awareness and outreaches.
• Design a mentorship approach and plan for the survivor network chapters and ensure its implementation across the different field locations.
• Develop resources and materials for outreach to and mentoring of survivors across IJM programme in Uganda on VAWC.
• Lead the design and planning of all trainings for the survivor networks across IJM Uganda locations.
• Participate in research related to survivor leadership and advocacy with survivor networks.
• Participate in funds proposal development for the survivor network program in IJM Uganda.
• In collaboration with the MERL team, support in designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks for the survivor network component to ensure achievement of results.
• Perform budget management for the survivor leadership interventions.
• Coordinate exchange visits and other programmes for survivor networks to enable sharing of experiences, best practices and learnings.
• Map out and establish a referral network and linkage of actors supporting survivors of Gender Based Violence across IJM Uganda locations including the Sauti Helpline and other Justice Law and Order Sector actors for ease of reporting.
• Equip trained survivor networks with tools for recording and referral of cases of VAWC.
• Maintain up to date statistics on cases received and referred by the survivor networks.
• Participate in casework monitoring and evaluation by periodical review of targets, case management best practices and departmental procedures.
• Participate in case determination panels for cases referred by survivors.
• Maintain up-to-date statistics and information on the Local Survivor Network members.
• Ensure proper documentation of survivor network related activities and services on IJM data management system.
• Ensure effective reporting according to internal and external requirements and timelines.
• Participate in the planning and coordination of survivor network events and other advocacy and community engagement activities.
• Develop concept notes, work plans and budgets for and conduct necessary procurements for survivor network related activities or events.
• Liaise with local, regional and global colleagues on survivor network activities as assigned.
• Champion and lead internal learning and knowledge awareness across IJM Uganda on working with survivor networks to end violence against women and children.
• Participate in IJM programs of professionalism and Christian spiritual formation.
• Ensure to use staff-care resources and tools provided by the office to take good care of physical, emotional and psychological health.
• Ensure compliance with IJM core commitments and values
• Ensure compliance of budget implementation as per donor requirements.
• Ensure strict adherence to IJM and grant operational, finance, program and human resources policies.
• Ensure strict compliance with all security guidance and tactical plans in all casework and field work operations
• Ensure commitment to Safeguarding, Zero tolerance to Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment, Child abuse and whistleblowing information.
• Adhere to IJM safeguarding code of conduct towards a safe work environment for all.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in social work, community development, law and other humanities will be considered. Additional qualifications in project management is an added advantage.
• A minimum of five (5) years professional experience in advocacy and behavioral change work and particularly working with vulnerable groups, networks of women and children to demand action.
• Demonstratable experience handling trauma and application of trauma-informed approaches.
• Demonstrable experience in successful networking, building and maintaining partnerships.
• Experience leading and managing teams in a multidisciplinary setting to deliver impact and results.
• Experience in coaching and training
• Possesses a valid driver’s license with no incidents.
• Fluency in the English language both written and spoken is mandatory. Working knowledge of local languages preferred.
• Excellent Computer literacy with proficiency in MS Word, Outlook, Power Point and Excel. Should possess ability to quickly learn and consistently use other software systems for purposes of case management, M&E and documentation.
• Excellent writing, documentation and reporting skills, including the ability to maintain digital records and generate high-quality reports on all interventions and stakeholder interactions, etc.

Critical Qualities:

• 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.

Application Process:

Please submit Resume/CV, Cover Letter, and Statement of Faith* in one PDF document to ugandarecruiting@ijm.org by close of business on Friday 6th September 2024 with the subject line APPLICATION LEAD, SURVIVOR NETWORKS. Applicants must have the legal right to work in Uganda. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

*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 GPA/GL and Medical benefits
• Competitive compensation package
• Retirement benefit options
• Paid leave starting at 21 days.
• Professional development opportunities
• 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 candidates value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes.

IJM requires a background check, police clearance and thorough review of references with an employment offer and/or employment contract.