The Justice Studies Center of the Americas (CEJA) is an intergovernmental organization specialized in justice systems in the region, created by the Organization of American States (OAS) www.cejamericas.org.
Headquartered in Santiago, Chile, CEJA has 25 years of experience producing technical studies and generating comparative evidence on justice in Latin America and the Caribbean. It also offers specialized training and facilitates the exchange of information and best practices on justice throughout the Americas.
As the current Executive Director’s term comes to an end, CEJA is launching an international call for applications to select its next Executive Director for the 2026–2029 term.
The Executive Director is responsible for leading the executive-level areas and the Center’s staff, as well as managing its financial resources, in accordance with the institutional mandate, multi-year strategic objectives, action plans, and annual budgets approved by the Board of Directors, as well as the objectives of projects agreed upon with donor institutions.
Main responsabilities:
- Plan institutional activities.
- Manage relations with governments and justice sector institutions.
- Maintain relations with members of the Board of Directors.
- Seek funding and maintain relationships with donors.
- Hire, lead, and evaluate institutional staff.
- Supervise institutional administration.
- Legally represent the organization.
- Lead and participate in CEJA’s research, studies, projects, and training programs.
- Perform other functions as established in CEJA’s Statute and current institutional regulations.
The position is based at CEJA’s headquarters in Santiago, Chile. The selected candidate will assume duties on January 2, 2026, and must be available for an in-person transition period starting in November 2025 (exact dates to be confirmed).
CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Position Conditions:
Reports to: CEJA’s Board of Directors
Workload: Full-time
Employment relationship: Appointed via resolution by the Board of Directors
Status: International officer, based in Santiago, Chile; income exempt from taxation in Chile
Term: Four years, renewable once
Position Requirements:
Education: Law degree or equivalent required. Postgraduate studies in law, public administration, public policy, or international relations (desired).
Skills:
- Proficiency in written and spoken English and Spanish
- Experience in organizational management (HR, administration, finance, strategic planning)
- Leadership and negotiation skills
- Familiarity with information and communication technologies (ICT)
- Experience in fundraising and resource management (public, international, or multilateral sources)
- Ability to engage with diverse national and international stakeholders across sectors
- Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills for interaction with state officials, diplomatic personnel, and actors in the Inter-American or UN systems
- Experience in designing and implementing training and research programs
Desired experience:
- Management of public, private, or international organizations
- Teaching experience (undergraduate or graduate) in law, administration, public policy, strategic management, or international relations
- Research and/or publications on justice systems
- Work experience or participation in justice system reform in the Americas or internationally
- Collaboration with public/private or national/international organizations that promote and fund justice reform
- Prior connection to or demonstrable knowledge of CEJA’s work
Application and Selection Timeline
Application Process:
Applications must be submitted exclusively via the online application form.
Submissions via other means or after the deadline will not be accepted.
Deadline: July 21, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (Santiago, Chile time)
Note: All terms used are intended to apply to individuals of any gender.