Executive Director, Child Sex Trafficking Programs

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children•Alexandria, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for the vision, oversight, and daily operation of the Child Sex Trafficking (CST) Recovery Services Team (RST) and the Child Sex Trafficking Team (CSTT) of analysts, which also includes the work products of the Child Sex Trafficking Program Specialist. The Executive Director, Child Sex Trafficking Programs must develop new and innovative ways to enhance the growth and effectiveness of NCMEC’s existing efforts to combat child sex trafficking through the promotion of model policies/promising practices, and strategic partnerships. This position will liaise with survivors, nonprofit organizations, law enforcement groups, victim service providers, and other local and national stakeholders in the anti-trafficking field to develop and cultivate partnerships to further NCMEC’s efforts to combat child sex trafficking. This position will interact with various divisions within NCMEC to maximize the information flow, sharing of statistical analysis/resources, and streamlined projects of work. The position works closely with ASD, Family Advocacy Division (FAD), and Missing Children Division (MCD) management to be able to meet the changing needs of these divisions that include assessing ways to improve the provision of NCMEC resources in cases involving child sex trafficking, or those at-risk for child sex trafficking victimization. This includes the development and implementation of a CST Recovery Services Team in close coordination with NCMEC’s MCD and FAD. Child sex trafficking victims have experienced significant trauma and advance recovery planning and specialized victim assistance coordination can mitigate challenges, streamline resources, and allow for a coordinated, trauma-informed victim response. The position also works directly with the leadership in the NCMEC Call Center on training materials/manuals for new Call Center Specialists and improving workflows related to the intake of cases/reports involving possible child sex trafficking. As the leadership position over the Child Sex Trafficking Team, this position also requires close coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigations regarding the dissemination of child sex trafficking analytical work products and coordination of efforts with FBI task forces nationwide. The content of reports may involve written materials and images that reference or detail crimes against children or adults to include child abduction, child sexual exploitation, violence, child homicide and unidentified human remains believed to be children. Reports and information received as part of cases involving child sex trafficking victimization may also contain sexual abuse material and sexually exploitative content or links to sexually abusive or exploitative content online. This content may depict minors and/and or adults. Such assistance requires an employee that can manage exposure to sensitive content. In addition to being self-aware of personal limits, this position must understand impact of vicarious trauma and how to promote individual and organizational self-care. The Executive Director, Child Sex Trafficking Programs must be creative, innovative, and able to balance the many needs of law enforcement, parents/guardians, child welfare, and external partners/companies with the capabilities and resources of NCMEC. This position will maintain ongoing dialogue with NCMEC Leadership to ensure operational success. In addition, this position requires an ability to explore and discuss new partnerships and working relationships with child welfare, federal and local law enforcement entities, community-based providers/victim services entities, and various technology companies to ensure the efforts of the CST teams related to analytical support and recovery planning are most useful. This position requires an enthusiastic and a self-motivated candidate who possesses abstract thinking; knowledge of missing children, children missing from care; has a background in navigating complex systems of care providing CST victim services; and a tenacious perspective to further NCMEC’s efforts related to combating child sex trafficking in the United States. A qualified candidate will also possess the ability to enhance and deliver on assigned projects of work. The position requires flexibility in scheduling, possible after-hour and weekend response and collaboration with fellow staff members. Occasional travel and public speaking engagements required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, forensic science, social work, or related discipline. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Ten (10) years of professional experience in child sex trafficking field combined with a practical and academic knowledge of the anti-child sex trafficking movement in the United States.
Extensive experience utilizing computers and computer databases in the analysis of data/information.
Experience working with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and/or law enforcement and fostering collaboration among diverse groups.
Ability to successfully pass the background screening, to include fingerprinting, criminal history check, and professional references.
Strong knowledge and familiarity with topics related to child sex trafficking in the United States such as child victim vulnerabilities, tactics used by traffickers to exploit children, available victim services, survivor informed efforts, and existing and proposed policy and legislation.
Demonstrated success managing and forging relationships with local and national stakeholders in the anti-trafficking field.
Demonstrated ability to communicate and resolve workplace concerns and issues.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, to include giving presentations and responding to interview requests from print, television, and radio media outlets.
Flexible and adaptive style which includes leadership skills that positively impact strategic and tactical partnerships.
Ability to work independently without constant supervision while also being a team player who will engage with others at varying levels of seniority throughout NCMEC.
Strong organizational skills including the ability to balance projects, meet deadlines, and ensure staff project deadlines are met.
Ability to solve problems and work using creativity and innovation.
Ability to handle and maintain the integrity and confidentiality of highly sensitive material and information.
Passion for combating NCMEC’s mission related to missing and sexually exploited children.
Strong computer skills to including the use of MS Office Suite including PowerPoint and Excel.
Achieve and maintain an employee performance evaluation standard that meet and exceeds the minimum of a “meets expectations”.
Maintain an acceptable time and attendance record.
Must be eligible to apply for VCIN certification which requires either U.S. citizenship or having been a lawful resident of the U.S. for the past 10 consecutive years.
Must obtain VCIN certification within three (3) months of hire and maintain certification including completion of all required training.
VCIN certification requires background screening, to include fingerprinting, criminal history check, and professional references.

Nice To Haves

Prior Management and Program Development experience, preferred.

Responsibilities

Position is responsible for direct oversight of the Child Sex Trafficking and CST Recovery Services leadership teams, as well as, the overall functions and efficiency of those programs of work
Provide oversight and strategic direction regarding the analytical assistance provided to law-enforcement agencies and NCMEC staff for cases involving child sex trafficking and missing children believed to be trafficking victims or at-risk for trafficking victimization
Responsible for the assessment of workflows and implementation of any necessary improvements related to the compiling of information, establishing timelines, analyzing findings, making interpretations, synthesizing information, and writing comprehensive reports to be delivered to NCMEC case managers and law enforcement involving child sex trafficking
Direct the creation, implementation, and future expansion and improvement of NCMEC resources assisting with ensuring that survivors of CST receive the highest level of informed response and care thus reducing the potential for re-victimization
Provide strategic direction and continue to expand NCMEC’s ability to provide recovery planning, victim service referrals and resources through a team capable of providing this important resource for law enforcement, child welfare agencies, social services providers, and child advocacy centers to the benefit of CST survivors and their families
Maintain ongoing dialogue with internal NCMEC entities (Missing Children’s Division, Family Advocacy, Federal Liaisons, etc.) to ensure the efforts of the CST Recovery Services and Child Sex Trafficking teams are most useful to NCMEC’s ongoing efforts to identify and recover likely victims of CST
Facilitate the building and maintenance of an informed, robust, and comprehensive database of the resources, services, shelter, and policy information that impacts child sex trafficking identification and response in each state
Design and implement a comprehensive plan for identifying and cultivating key external alliances, which includes the expansion and diversification of existing partnerships
Conduct strategic outreach and cultivate relationships with potential victim service providers to identify strategic local, state, and/or regional partnerships for the network of resource referrals available to provide a trauma-informed response for a victim of child sex trafficking
Provide strategic direction and oversee the implementation of the future growth of CST programs including assisting with policy development, implementation of new initiatives, and future long-term research projects
Coordinate with appropriate NCMEC management on CSTT program operations, project development, and implementation
Provide strategic direction on technological improvements within systems used in ASD (ex. CyberTipline, CIERA, RFI, Salesforce, etc.) directly related to the ability to support child sex trafficking reports and cases to include coordination of and involvement in the development of requirements documents, testing new or updated features, providing feedback, and engaging across teams and with the product owner
Coordinate with NCMEC Communications/Media Teams to craft a long-term media strategy and reactive engagement with media outlets regarding NCMEC efforts to combat child sex trafficking, and support law enforcement efforts to identify victims and prosecute offenders
Work with the Office of Legal Counsel/Legislative Affairs to craft NCMEC’s position on existing and proposed policy and legislation related to child sex trafficking in the United States
Coordinate with NCMEC Leadership on program operations and project development/implementation
Assist with crafting talking points, unified messaging and strategic direction related to child sex trafficking
Help forge new relationships with external groups to increase the visibility and impact of NCMEC’s efforts and resources to combat child sex trafficking in the United States. These external groups may include survivor consultants, other nonprofit organizations, law enforcement groups, victim service providers, and other local and national stakeholders in the anti-trafficking field.
Coordinate and align child sex trafficking survivor service efforts with additional survivor efforts at NCMEC, working closely with other divisions such as Family Advocacy, Exploited Children Division, Missing Children Division, etc.
Assess internal and external sources of information and technology tools available to assist law enforcement and identify gaps and needs for expansion
Through the management of the Project Specialist facilitate the engagement with CST survivor leaders as part of the NCMEC Lived Experience Consultant Group to inform and improve NCMEC’s programs of work
Coordinate with NCMEC’s Content & Community Engagement Team on the development of NCMEC resources and materials related to child sex trafficking
Develop annual budgets for the programs of work the position oversees
Participate in NCMEC evaluation reviews of new technology
Establish and maintain close collaboration with several internal NCMEC divisions such as Missing Children’s Division, Exploited Children’s Division, Family Advocacy Division, Communications & Brand, Content & Community Engagement, Legislative Affairs, and Regional Offices regarding internal efforts related child sex trafficking analytical and recovery planning resources
Help forge new relationships with external groups to increase the visibility and impact of NCMEC’s efforts and resources to address child sex trafficking nation-wide. These external groups may include other nonprofit organizations, law enforcement groups, and other local and national stakeholders in the field.
Participate on working groups, task forces, and advisory committees
Represent NCMEC in meetings with visiting dignitaries, potential donors, law enforcement groups, nonprofit organizations, etc.
Protect the privacy rights of anyone who is the subject of an analytical report by ensuring the security, confidentiality, storage, and/or destruction of any criminal history or other documentation pertaining analytical work products
Attend conferences and public speaking engagements and provide tours, training, and department representation when directed
Conduct presentations for law enforcement, child welfare, state/regional task forces, service providers and other community groups. The purpose of these presentations is to educate the audience of the many child sex trafficking resources of NCMEC and the ASD
Work closely with relevant NCMEC staff on specific projects involving child sex trafficking
When necessary, represent ASD by attending meetings, making presentations, and responding to inquiries
Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned
Promote and exhibit loyalty to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the cause of protecting children worldwide
Conform with and abide by all regulations, policies, work procedures, and instructions
Promote a professional image
Communicate with co-workers, NCMEC management, the public, law enforcement officials, child welfare, victim services, families, survivors, and other agencies in a courteous and professional manner
Respond promptly when returning telephone calls and replying to correspondence
Active weekend and after-hours on-call availability possible