Iowa Investigator

Hope for Justice exists to bring an end to modern slavery by preventing exploitation, rescuing victims, restoring lives and reforming society. Around the world, we are growing a movement of abolitionists who believe freedom is worth the fight. Our team works from more than 30 locations across five continents. If you’re looking to make a difference, this is the place for the you.

Hope for Justice is committed to the principles of diversity, equality and inclusion. If you feel that your skills and experience fit one of our roles then we would welcome your application regardless of your background.

Position:

Hope for Justice has an exciting opportunity for an investigator role in our Midwest region, based in Iowa. We are seeking a committed and talented individual with a background in investigation and training to join the staff of our Hub.

The role will involve coordinating closely with our Senior Investigator at the Hub to identify victims and witnesses and obtain their accounts and case histories (using appropriate integrity and compassion for vulnerable victims), as well as relevant documentation and evidence.

It also means training others who might coming into contact with victims of human trafficking – some without knowing it – including at law enforcement and civil society organizations, service providers and businesses. You will lead on this work, preparing and delivering appropriate training packages depending on the audience.

The role requires a confident person with a strong mix of expertise, including a minimum of three years’ carrying out investigations in a law enforcement or similar setting, and experience delivering training to others. You must be an autonomous self-starter, able to manage your own case load and handle competing priorities while always being victim-centered and trauma-informed in your own work. Technical knowledge of human trafficking and modern slavery would be desirable.

Requirements:

Training

• Network with civil society organizations, statutory service providers and businesses in vulnerable communities to raise awareness of modern slavery and human trafficking and to generate demand for training.
• Prepare appropriate generic or tailored training for relevant groups, to be delivered either electronically or face-to-face.
• Deliver training that builds awareness and understanding, and that can generate leads to potential victims of human trafficking and modern slavery within local communities.
• Network with the law enforcement community to develop and deliver P.O.S.T. certified training of modern slavery and human trafficking investigations.

Investigations and Rescues

• To conduct enquiries as directed by the Investigation Team Leader. Such enquiries will involve researching, gathering, and obtaining evidence and intelligence by various means including interviewing victims and witnesses and conducting surveillance operations.
• Collect all relevant documentation, information or data that is required in an investigation to form an overall picture of the circumstances of the case.
• Accurately gather and report information, working closely and communicating with HFJ colleagues, law enforcement agencies and non-government organizations, analyzing and interpreting data and bringing any new evidence or intelligence in the enquiry to the notice of the Investigation Team Leader/US Program Director.
• Identify victims and witnesses and obtain accounts using appropriate integrity and compassion for vulnerable victims.
• Secure the rescue of victims of human trafficking and modern slavery.
• Advocate on behalf of victims with other agencies, ensuring immediate post-rescue support is available.
• Complete intelligence reports for relevant law enforcement agencies to facilitate the prosecution of perpetrators of human trafficking and modern slavery.
• Complete HFJ case files including, where appropriate, evidential or disclosure material.
• Work flexible hours as needed for investigations or to provide for the needs of victims.

Engagement and Networking

• Networking with other stakeholders engaged in the business of anti-human trafficking, or where potential victims of trafficking may access services.
• Develop networks within the law enforcement community and engage with those stakeholders to identify potential victims of trafficking.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with multi-agency partners.
• Represent Hope for Justice at meetings and give presentations when required.
• Working with vulnerable people preferably victims of sexual exploitation, sex trafficking, bonded labor or domestic servitude; or experience of working with sex workers, street-based homelessness, refugees, those with mental health or substance abuse issues

Other responsibilities

• Respond to ad hoc assignments requested from time to time by managers.
• Ensure harmonious working with all Hope for Justice departments and staff.
• Work at all times in line with HFJ policies and procedures and the wider strategy, culture and ethos of Hope for Justice.

For all roles:

Understand and uphold the standards outlined in the Hope for Justice Safeguarding policies, acting with due care and attention to safeguard the wellbeing of anyone that comes into contact with our work and reporting concerns if they do arise.

Other information:

Benefits of working at Hope for Justice: Hope for Justice is committed to supporting our staff’s wellbeing and offers competitive salaries and a range of additional benefits to our staff. This includes:

Medical, dental and vison benefits with employer contributions

Supplemental life insurance

Hybrid and Flexible working environments

4 weeks paid vacation (prorated based on start date)

11 paid holidays

8 accrued sick days

Paid maternity and paternity leave

401(k) with employer match

Professional development opportunities

Employee Assistance Program for staff and their family.

Location: Iowa

Salary: Up to $59,000 depending on experience

Closing date: April 19, 2024

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which include criminal records checks, in line with our Global background checks policy. Hope for Justice participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme, as part of the referencing process we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.