Program Design Specialist, Program Partnerships

International Justice Mission; Virginia (MN); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Monthly commuter benefits (DC area)

Retirement options

Paid leave & holidays

Job summary

International Justice Mission (IJM) seeks a Program Design Specialist, Program Partnerships to govern partnership data, policy, and admin systems across IJM’s global programs. Based in the Washington, DC area, the role anchors policy interpretation and data-driven reporting to donors and leadership.

The position emphasizes design thinking, governance, and capacity development, with hybrid onsite requirements and visa considerations. Collaboration across regions is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
• 3–5 years of professional experience in program management, partnership management, grants management, compliance, M&E, or related.
• Experience managing data systems and reporting across teams/regions.
• Experience supporting donor-funded programs and grant reporting requirements.
• Experience developing policies, procedures, and compliance frameworks.
• Experience with design thinking and human-centered design.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain global policies, standards, and procedures for program partnerships.
• Design and manage partner data collection systems across regions.
• Create monitoring, evaluation and reporting frameworks and outputs.
• Lead donor reporting data and outputs and ensure audit readiness.
• Administer partner capacity development activities and documentation.
• Maintain centralized repositories for policies and data governance.

Skills

Data governance

Policy interpretation

Data collection & reporting

Analytical skills

Workshop facilitation

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

Integrity & ethics

Design thinking

Donor reporting experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in International Development, Public Administration, Monitoring & Evaluation, Data Analytics, Social Sciences, Business Administration

Tools

Protection Collaborative

Data systems administration

Job description

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 Program Design Specialist, Program Partnerships to serve as the institutional steward for partnership data, policy, and administrative systems across IJM’s global programs.

Program Design Specialist, Program Partnerships

Across IJM’s program customers and partners, this role ensures that partnership activities are governed by clear policies, supported by rigorous data collection and analysis, and translated into credible reporting for programs, leadership, and donors. The role manages the systems, standards, and processes required to collect, analyze, and administer customer and partner data and capacity development activities, enabling IJM to demonstrate impact, meet donor and grant requirements, and support consistent capacity strengthening at scale. This role anchors innovation and experience in compliance, evidence, and operational reliability.

This position is based in the Washington, DC area and is available to be hybrid (onsite Tuesdays & Thursdays). It reports to the Director, Program Innovation and requires current authorization to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, now or in the future.

Responsibilities

• Strategy, Policy & Standards Development – Develop, refine, and maintain global policies, standards, and procedures related to program partnerships, including data use, onboarding requirements, and administrative processes using a human-centered design approach; ensure partner related policies align with IJM safeguarding principles, data privacy requirements, and donor expectations; serve as the organizational point of accountability for policy interpretation and application related to partnership data and reporting.
• Data Collection, Administration & Analysis – Design and manage partner and customer data collection systems, ensuring consistency, accuracy, communication, and usability across regions and platforms (including the Protection Collaborative); develop and oversee simple, user friendly data administration processes, including permissions, documentation, and quality control; conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis of partner data to support program decision making and organizational learning; maintain JDS features and documentation to ensure long term usability and integrity of partner data.
• Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting – Develop and maintain measurement frameworks and instruments related to partner performance, engagement, and capacity development; produce regular reports and analytical summaries for internal teams, leadership, and functional stakeholders; lead synthesis of partner related evidence to inform program reviews, strategy refinement, and learning agendas.
• Grant & Donor Reporting Support – Serve as the primary technical lead for partner related data and analysis used in grant and donor reporting; ensure customer facing data systems (Protection Collaborative) produce defensible, audit ready outputs aligned with donor indicators and reporting cycles; collaborate with grants, finance, and program teams to ensure reporting requirements are anticipated and met efficiently.
• Partner Capacity Development Administration – Administer systems and processes to track, coordinate, and document partner and customer capacity development activities, including training, technical assistance, and resourcing via Protection Collaborative; maintain centralized records of partner capacity development inputs and outputs to support reporting, learning, and improvement; support internal teams by providing guidance and tools to consistently document partner capacity efforts across regions.
• Documentation, Knowledge Management & Data Governance – Maintain centralized repositories for partner policies, datasets, methodologies, tools, and learning reports; ensure continuity of institutional knowledge related to partnerships and capacity development; uphold data governance practices that balance accessibility, security, and accountability; manage the Protection Collaborative website.
• General Tasks – Serve as the administrative focal point for Protection Collaborative user communication including new features, questions, etc.; coordinate cross functional discussions related to partner data, reporting, and administration; support planning and preparation for audits, evaluations, and external reviews involving partner data; perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor; and participation in IJM’s community of spiritual formation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in International Development, Public Administration, Monitoring & Evaluation, Data Analytics, Social Sciences, Business Administration, or a related field;
• 3-5 years of professional experience in program management, partnership management, grants management, compliance, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), or a related field;
• Demonstrated experience managing organizational data systems, reporting processes, and knowledge management initiatives across multiple teams, stakeholders, or regions;
• Experience supporting donor-funded programs, including grant reporting, compliance, audit preparation, and performance measurement requirements;
• Experience developing and implementing policies, procedures, standards, or operational frameworks that support organizational accountability and effectiveness;
• Expertise in, and enthusiasm for, design thinking, human-centered design, and prototyping methods;
• Expertise in partnership data management, including data collection, administration, quality assurance, governance, and reporting;
• Strong quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills, with the ability to translate findings into actionable insights and decision-making tools;
• Experience developing and maintaining policies, standards, operating procedures, and compliance frameworks;
• Knowledge of donor compliance requirements, safeguarding principles, data privacy regulations, and audit-ready documentation practices;
• Strong workshop facilitation and process design skills, including the ability to lead trainings, consultations, and cross-functional working sessions.

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.

Strategic Thinking

Ability to connect partnership and customer systems, policies, data, and reporting to broader organizational goals and impact.

Collaboration

Skilled at building trust and working effectively across regions, cultures, and functions to achieve shared outcomes.

Communication

Ability to communicate complex information clearly and translate technical concepts for diverse audiences.

Attention to Detail

Demonstrates accuracy, rigor, and consistency in managing data, documentation, compliance, and reporting requirements.

Integrity & Stewardship

Demonstrates accountability, sound judgment, and ethical management of organizational information, resources, and relationships.

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.

In compliance with International Safeguarding Standards (UNICEF, IASC 6 core principles on PSEA, IASC Minimum operating standards on PSEA and CHS) we commit to a zero-tolerance policy and to take measures to prevent harm against anyone who comes into contact with IJM and its work.

By choosing to move forward in the assessment and hiring process you are affirming you will abide by IJM’s Safeguarding Policy, Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy, Code of Ethics and related procedures.