Regional Project Lead Counterpart International seeks a Project Director for an anticipated U.S. Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office) project in the Northern Triangle. The proposed project would strengthen efforts to prevent human trafficking, protect victims, and support the prosecution of traffickers through collaboration among government, civil society, and private-sector partners, including the responsible use of technology. The Project Director will provide strategic, technical, and operational leadership, ensuring measurable anti-trafficking results, effective regional partnerships, and responsible management of project resources. The role requires substantial Northern Triangle experience, demonstrated counter-trafficking expertise, and professional fluency in Spanish. The position is contingent upon award, with a proposed project start date of April 2027.. The final start date, duration, duty station, and scope will depend on the approved award.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead project strategy, implementation, annual work planning, and adaptation across participating countries, aligning activities with the approved award and relevant country-specific Trafficking in Persons Report recommendations.

Serve as the principal project representative to the TIP Office, U.S. embassies, government counterparts, civil society, private-sector partners, and other relevant stakeholders.

Build productive partnerships with anti-trafficking institutions, justice actors, victim service providers, and technology partners; support practical coordination across national and regional systems.

Direct the project team, subawardees, and short-term specialists, setting clear responsibilities and maintaining the quality and timeliness of technical deliverables.

Oversee technology-supported interventions so that tools meet partner needs, fit existing workflows, and contribute to prevention, protection, or prosecution outcomes.

Oversee budgets, procurement, subaward performance, and financial reporting with finance and operations staff; ensure compliance with donor requirements and Counterpart policies.

Lead monitoring, evaluation, and learning, using evidence to track results, address implementation barriers, and produce clear donor reports.

Ensure victim-centered and trauma-informed implementation, safeguarding, confidentiality, and appropriate handling of sensitive information across project activities and technology applications.

Manage implementation and security risks with country teams, and establish realistic plans for local ownership, continued financing, and maintenance of supported systems after project closure.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in international development, law, public policy, social sciences, or a related field; equivalent relevant professional experience may be considered.

At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in counter-trafficking, justice, protection, or closely related programming, including at least five years in senior project leadership.

Demonstrated experience designing or managing counter-trafficking interventions, with practical understanding of prevention, victim protection and referral, and criminal justice responses.

Substantial professional experience in one or more Northern Triangle countries and strong understanding of the region's institutions, trafficking dynamics, and operating environment.

Professional fluency in spoken and written Spanish is required. Strong English communication and report-writing skills are also required.

Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams, project budgets, partners, and donor deliverables, including experience with U.S. government or comparable donor-funded programming.

Experience working with government and civil society counterparts and translating technical approaches into feasible implementation plans; ability to supervise technology specialists.

Ability and willingness to travel within the region as required.

Preference for managing or at least 5 years of experience leading UDOS or USG funded projectsApplicants from Guatemala, Honduras or El Salvador preferred.