PROJECT OFFICER – SDG16 PROJECT (100%)

DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance is dedicated to improving the security of states and their people within a framework of democratic governance, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and gender equality. Since its founding in 2000, DCAF has contributed to making peace and development more sustainable by assisting partner states, and international actors supporting these states, to improve the governance of their security sector through inclusive and participatory reforms. It creates innovative knowledge products, promotes norms and good practices, provides legal and policy advice, and supports capacity‐building of both state and non‐state security sector stakeholders.

DCAF’s Foundation Council members represent over 50 countries and the Canton of Geneva. Active in over 70 countries, DCAF is internationally recognized as one of the world’s leading centres of excellence for security sector governance (SSG) and security sector reform (SSR). DCAF is guided by the principles of neutrality, impartiality, local ownership, inclusive participation, and gender equality. For more information visit www.dcaf.ch and follow us on Twitter @DCAF_Geneva.

The Policy & Research Division (PRDiv) produces empirically-grounded and policy-oriented comparative research on global thematic topics relating to security sector governance. PRDiv is also responsible for working with multilateral organisations, such as the UN and OSCE, to improve and harmonize their security sector governance programming, particularly in the context of the UN’s Sustaining Peace Agenda and Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. Finally, PRDiv conducts research on global approaches to monitoring and evaluating projects related to security sector governance. For our division, we are looking for a dynamic and highly qualified individual to be our next:

• Project Officer – SDG16 Project (100%)
• Location: Geneva
• Starting date: as soon as possible
• Duration: until December 2023, with possibility of extension

The role

The 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development (SDGs) is a global action plan for sustainable development and a key priority for the United Nations and its member States. Currently, little work has been done to link Security Sector Governance/Reform (SSG/R) with the SDGs, despite there being considerable overlap between the two realms. Against this background, DCAF is implementing a four-year project linking SSG/R with the SDGs. The project focuses specifically on governance and oversight, and engages with three important actors of governance of the security sector: parliaments, civil society and independent oversight institutions. The project entails the development of knowledge products, the organisation of high-level policy events, and the conduct of national workshops focused on implementation. This project is managed by a Programme Manager under the overall supervision of the Head and/or Deputy Head of Division. The Project Officer will support the Programme Manager in the implementation of this project, focusing primarily on the organisation and facilitation of national/regional implementation workshops. In addition to close collaboration with colleagues within PRDiv, this position will necessitate close coordination with relevant regional divisions of DCAF’s Operations Department.

Key areas of operation:

• Leading the organization and facilitation of national and regional implementation workshops with the purpose to validate and implement the research and policy findings for security sector governance actors;
• Assisting in the preparation and organisation of the high-level policy events related to this project at the World Bank, UN, and other fora as appropriate;
• Reporting to the Programme Manager, supporting activities during all phases of the project cycle including design, implementation, evaluation as well as reporting to the donor;
• Supporting the design, oversight and review of the (commissioned) research related to this project;
• Undertaking finance administration-related tasks, including processing payments, drafting contracts with external partners, and monitoring budgets.

Your experience

• 3-5 years professional experience on organising high level events and capacity building activities in the area of democratization and good governance of the security sector, with a focus on oversight and accountability;
• Master’s degree in political science, international relations/security, development, law or a related field;
• Thorough knowledge of and track-record experience with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially SDG16;
• Experience in results-oriented project management and the development and implementation of policy and research programmes;
• Fluency in English, knowledge of French, and/or Russian and/or Arabic will be considered an advantage;
• Swiss or EU citizenship or a valid work permit for Switzerland at the time of application is a pre-requisite.

We offer

• a rewarding, dynamic and challenging work experience;
• the chance to be part of a multicultural team of supportive, hardworking and values-driven people;
• the chance to contribute to improving security of states and their people within a framework of democratic governance, the rule of law, and respect for human rights