INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Position Type:  Part-Time,21 hours per week

Salary Range:  Hourly compensation of CAD $85 - $90 per hour.

Status: The employment agreement will be until June 2026, with the possibility of extension based on available funding.

Application Deadline: Rolling basis – Open until filled

Start date:  ASAP

 

If you are passionate about advancing justice on a global scale and ready to grow an international development organization focused on Justice For All, we want to hear from you!

 

THE POSITION

The Justice Education Society of British Columbia (JES) is looking for a dynamic and impact-driven International Program Director (IPD) to lead and expand our global justice initiatives. With a proven track record in business development, the ideal candidate will drive growth, foster strategic partnerships, and leverage JES’s strong reputation to implement impactful programs that enhance legal capacity and strengthen justice systems worldwide.

The International Program Director (IPD) provides strategic leadership for JES’s International Program, overseeing the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of global justice initiatives. This role is responsible for guiding and supporting a diverse, multicultural team based in Canada and abroad while building strong relationships with funders, partners, and key stakeholders. As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the IPD also contributes to the strategy, management and success of the organization.

The ideal candidate is a visionary and inclusive leader with demonstrable success in driving organizational growth. With exceptional critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills, the IPD fosters collaboration and innovation to expand JES’s impact. This role requires a seasoned professional with deep expertise in international development and a history of successfully leading complex programs, securing funding, and advancing justice initiatives on a global scale.

 

THE ORGANIZATION

The Justice Education Society of British Columbia (JES) is a non-profit organization with 35 years of experience with a vision to provide Justice for All. We seek to improve access to justice, to promote human rights, and to protect the fundamental freedoms of all people—including women, children, Indigenous peoples and marginalized populations. We are driven by the belief that building a person’s legal capability, and strengthening the justice systems that serve them, has the power to create a more equitable society. All our initiatives are grounded in our mission to empower people to access and deliver justice in Canada and globally.

 

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Strategic leadership

• Act as a champion of the JES International Program, promoting our expertise and impact to secure new business development opportunities and expand our global footprint.
• Provide guidance and advice on the organization’s growth and business diversification strategies.
• Lead discussions regarding future directions of JES international programming, and determine priorities for program work including making recommendations regarding JES’ program approach, innovative strategies, thematic focus, countries of operation, etc.
• Build, strengthen and maintain connections with funders and key stakeholders.
• As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, contribute to the overall strategy, management and success of the organization, including internal communications and financial strategies.
• Participate in national and international events and networking opportunities.

Program Development and Delivery

• Lead and contribute to the development of concept notes, project proposals and project implementation plans.
• Provide leadership and oversight of the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of JES’ International Program.
• Support the successful completion of all projects on time and on budget.
• Ensure that program activity is consistent with JES’ established program approach, principles, policies, and is aligned with its Strategic Plan.
• Maintain or improve efficiencies of established systems, processes and frameworks that enable JES to deliver quality programming.
• Identify and promote key project innovations and successes for dissemination through a variety of communication channels.

People Management

• Lead, build, and develop high performing multicultural teams based in Canada and abroad, create strong morale and foster a sense of belonging while communicating an inspired vision and purpose.
• Ensure that information is shared widely throughout the organization, and that all team members have the knowledge and information they need to be successful in their own roles.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and inclusion within and across the organization, as a champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ensure regular opportunities for two-way feedback, professional development, coaching and mentoring.

• Cultivate an environment for organizational learning by bringing others together to examine successes and to assist in defining specific issues and create solutions.
• Develop goal setting, provide ongoing feedback, and conduct performance reviews.
• Ensure that human resource policies and practices are followed and adhered to.

Financial and risk management

• In collaboration with the Finance Director, provide timely and accurate financial reporting, monitoring, budgeting and forecasting information for all international projects.
• Ensure effective liaison with funders regarding the administration of, and reporting on, grants.
• Identify and implement risk management strategies that respond to current and anticipated risks in program operations.
• Lead and contribute to the development of project budgets for all new proposals.
• Expand funding diversification and grow JES International Program revenues.

Reporting and compliance

• • Be accountable to the Chief Executive Officer regarding all aspects of the position.
  • Report on program activities to the Board as required, including the submission of written reports and attendance at Board meetings.
  • Engage with and provide support to the International Program Committee of the Board.
  • Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, fiscal, funder and other compliance requirements in all countries of operations.
  • Maintain and regularly review policies and procedures relevant to program operations to ensure compliance with funder requirements and other relevant guidelines.

Other responsibilities as required.

 

THE PERSON

Knowledge, skills and experience:

• • A minimum of 10 years of experience in international development managing multi-year projects, preferably in justice or related sectors.
  • A strong track record of acquiring and managing funding from Canadian & foreign government sources and foundations.
  • Superior leadership skills to motivate and inspire multicultural staff and volunteers to achieve the organization’s goals and objectives.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead by example, with transparency, empathy, integrity, and humility.
  • Experience leading programs and teams through periods of change and transformation.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and a proven ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with multiple stakeholders, including donor relations.
  • Knowledge of international development issues, trends, and practices and a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Ability to manage multiple competing priorities with demonstrated critical & strategic thinking, team-building and problem-solving skills.
  • Proven ability to write and communicate clear, structured, and persuasive project proposals, grant reports and other related communications.
  • Strong financial acumen with experience in short/long-term budgetary planning that supports strategic and operational plans.
  • Excellent verbal and written skills in English and the ability to communicate cross-culturally. Fluency in Spanish is highly desirable.
  • Ability to travel nationally and internationally on a regular basis.

Preferred

• • Experience overseeing projects in multiple countries, preferably in Latin America.
  • Experience implementing capacity building projects in the areas of justice and human rights.

Education

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

Other

• If Canada based, you must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have a valid work permit issued by the Government of Canada.
• For other countries where JES currently has an office (Guatemala, Honduras,  Guyana, Saint Lucia), you must be legally entitled to work in that country.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your cover letter and resume in English to jobs@justiceeducation.ca at your earliest convenience. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we aim to fill the position promptly.

Please do not hesitate to apply even if you do not meet every specific requirement listed above. Additionally, if your lived experience equips you with a foundation comparable to the work experience required, we encourage you to highlight this in your application.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

At JES, we are dedicated to creating an inclusive and accessible environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and supported. We recognize and honour the unique history and culture of Indigenous peoples and are deeply committed to the principles of reconciliation. We are steadfast in our belief in a diverse workforce that mirrors the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ages, religions, disabilities, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds, including Indigenous peoples, and individuals of all races and colours.