Specialist, Human Trafficking in Europe

Who We Are

International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world.

IJM has implemented a collaborative approach to combating violence against those vulnerable for more than 25 years. We are a global team of lawyers, social workers, community activists and other professionals in 44 offices across 28 countries around the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, collecting international best practices in tackling human trafficking. The capacity building model of criminal justice system strengthening implemented by IJM includes individual support for survivors, support for government initiatives and jointly proposing policy changes to strengthen Criminal Justice Systems (CJS) to respond effectively to human trafficking and other forms of violence.

Position Overview:

IJM is currently implementing a 10-year program looking to protect vulnerable people across Europe from human trafficking by building a cohesive and strengthened criminal justice system response to these crimes. The European Anti-Trafficking Program (EATP) aims to strengthen the criminal justice system (CJS), empower survivors, and improve cross-border collaboration in order to reduce the prevalence of cross-border trafficking from Eastern to Western Europe. To support its mission, IJM is seeking a Liaison Officer.

The Liaison Officer position will be responsible for supporting International Justice Mission’s (IJM) activities in the Netherlands with various law enforcement agencies, social service providers and other agencies connected to combatting human trafficking. A significant area of responsibility will include networking with other NGOs and police/prosecutor units to identify and help victims secure their rights and obtain protection and safeguarding in the Netherlands, before, during and after repatriation to their home country (if they wish to do so). The position will work closely with our European Anti-Trafficking Program offices (Netherlands, Germany, UK, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, etc) and with their civil society counterparts in order to ensure a continuity of services and protection for victims of trafficking. This is the foundation for a reliable network with relevant civil society and justice systems actors that serve the needs of our clients.

This position is based in The Netherlands and reports to Investigation and Law Enforcement Development Director (DILED) and to the Director of Partnerships & Advocacy of IJM the Netherlands.

This position is based in The Hague, Netherlands and is available to be hybrid, with presence in the office two times per week.

Key Result Areas (KRA):

The success of this role is measured by the following KRA’s:

1. Improved collaboration between criminal justice systems in the Netherlands and Eastern Europe (Romania, Bulgaria, Poland). Identify gaps and support and liaise with law enforcement, NGOs and other statutory bodies to increase anti-human trafficking outcomes and developments.
2. Increases in proactive human trafficking investigations and operations by the Netherlands in cross-border cases of trafficking in key source countries including Romania, Poland and Bulgaria.
3. More trafficking victims and witnesses remain engaged with police and prosecutors throughout the criminal adjudicative process and are connected with a continuum of care for services back to their country of origin where consent is given.

Develop and maintain relationships with law enforcement, prosecution service, NGOs, service providers and other European stakeholders to ensure strong cross-border collaboration and a continuum of care for trafficking victims. Leverage relationships and opportunities to advocate for stronger anti-trafficking initiatives.

Roles and Responsibilities:

This role will entail supporting EATP casework to identify gaps, engaging in networking and developing anti-trafficking stakeholder capacity through training and advocacy, as well as administrative tasks (i.e. reporting).

Networking and Partnerships

• Development of networks and liaison with external partners, such as various law enforcement and prosecutors units (i.e., The Police of the Netherlands, Border Police, Ministry of Justice and Security, Labor Authority, the Romanian Consulate, Bulgarian Consulate, local authorities, NGOs, health services and other relevant entities).
• Development of networks and liaison with strategic external partners such as Europol, Eurojust, etc.
• Collaborate with the Advocacy Officers in the Netherlands and EATP Hub in advancing laws and policies aligned with learnings gathered from casework and EATP goals.
• Developing thorough knowledge on the legal regulations in the Netherlands, related to human trafficking, and its developments.
• Develop and deliver curriculum for first responders including law enforcement on a victim centered trauma informed approach.

Provision of training to law enforcement and NGO providers on best practices on trauma informed approach cross cultural understanding, and the effects of trauma on victims of trafficking.

EATP Casework

• Develop network of providers who offer services and counsel victims of trafficking coming from Eastern European (e.g. Romania, Bulgaria, Poland).
• In collaboration with EATP casework teams in Eastern Europe, provision of direct support and guidance to victims of trafficking. Liaising with law enforcement on specific cases to ensure strong outcomes for victims and accountability for perpetrators.
• Empower survivors by providing a clear overview of their rights and entitlements, providing options, and connecting them to shelters and other service providers in the NL and back in their country of origin.
• Delivery of one-to-one tailored information on the criminal justice process and support systems relating to survivors of trafficking. Connecting with partners for needs assessments for survivors (legal and support needs, including an individual risk assessment and safety planning) together with the IJM Romania, Bulgaria, Poland survivor services and investigations team.
• Ensure protective and trauma-informed referrals to relevant legal and support agencies. Where necessary, support attendance at appointments, empowering and advocating for the survivor’s needs and wishes to be heard.
• Facilitate and ensure a culturally informed, victim-centered navigation of the Dutch system for survivors of trafficking.

Administrative Tasks

• Input casework data into internal IJM reporting systems. Collaborate with DILED, Casework Manager and M&E personnel to ensure timely and accurate data collection and reporting.
• Draft quarterly reports in collaboration with Project Managers and Communications Staff. Ensure information on progress of activities is captured and reported for timely submission of quarterly reports.
• Capture learnings and key gaps identified during casework and in engaging stakeholders for reporting back to advocacy leads.
• Ensure all expenses are kept within the dedicated budget and are reported according to IJM finance policies and procedures.

Requirements:

• University degree or comparable education in criminal justice, law or social work or professional experience in a related field. In addition, knowledge of criminal law, the Dutch Civil Code (BW) and relevant EU regulations.
• Qualification in the field of trauma therapy or professional experience in this area is preferred. Extensive professional experience working in the anti-human trafficking effort in an operational capacity and history of building intra-organizational networks and alliances.
• Spoken fluency in Romanian, English, and Dutch, with written proficiency in English preferred.
• Strong understanding of trauma and proven ability to interact with survivors of human trafficking in a trauma informed manner.
• Experience working directly with law enforcement, social services, and victim protection officers preferred. More importantly, ability to operate at these levels without hesitation.
• Excellent writing, documentation, and reporting skills as well as strong oral communication.
• Strong initiative and ability to set goals and accomplish them.
• Resilience and ability to work on emotionally challenging issues and with traumatized individuals. Ability to work under stress and deadline pressure while maintaining a sustained positive attitude.
• Willingness to travel regularly in the Netherlands as well as to Romania and Eastern Europe.
• Strong identification with the mission, work and values of IJM.

Non-Technical Competencies:

1. Team player and team oriented across multi-disciplinary teams
2. Demonstrates servant leadership and the values of IJM
3. High levels of self-motivation and personal initiative
4. History of building effective intra-organizational alliances
5. Interest in project development, and ability to thrive as part of a small, flexible team
6. Creative and energetic problem solver
7. Extremely high levels of honesty and integrity
8. Attention to detail; organized and disciplined with priorities
9. Passionate to combat human trafficking, rescue victims and hold offenders accountable

Requirements:

1. Full-time.
2. Ability to travel within the Netherlands up to 40% of the time.

Application Process:

Please submit Resume/CV, Cover Letter, in one document to romania@ijm.org

What does IJM have to offer?

• Competitive salary and benefits
• 24 days paid annual leave
• Daily, quarterly, and annual community spiritual formation
• Robust staff care resources

Other Duties:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities for the position. All positions are required to perform any additional tasks within reason assigned by their supervisor. Please submit a cover letter indicating why you are interested in the position along with a current CV to romania@ijm.org. Renumeration will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Applications will be received on a rolling basis until the position is filled. It is anticipated that initial short lists will be developed within two weeks of publishing this notice. The advertisement will remain open until the position is filled.

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 Conduct. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection, and hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing the candidates value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes.