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.

Its Operations Department is seeking a professional and qualified person for the following position:

Deputy Head of Division - Sub-Saharan Africa Division (100 %)

Location: Geneva, Switzerland, with frequent travel to the region as the situation allows.
Starting date: 1^st September 2023 or upon mutual agreement
Duration: unlimited

The role

Reporting to the Head of Division, the successful applicant will play a key role in providing expertise and leadership to the DCAF’s programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa, contributing to DCAF’s strategy in the region, and by providing oversight to the division’s staff. The position will also involve representational duties.

 Key areas of responsibility:           

• Assist the Head of Division in identifying and exploring opportunities for DCAF's activities and growth, as well as mitigating risks within her/his region(s) of responsibility
• Participate in the articulation of DCAF’s strategic planning, and translate the corporate and regional strategies into Division's annual workplans
• Provide substantive leadership on SSG/R through advisory support or training in some of the following areas (police reform, human rights, justice, strengthening oversight institutions, civil society, gender, or other relevant themes)
• Regularly contribute learning and case studies to internal and external platforms, including at conferences, meetings and other fora
• Provide peer review Sub-Saharan Africa Programme publications, SSR/SSG research products and proposals as requested from other DCAF programmes and/or external entities and contribute to the drafting of background papers on SSG
• Support the overall management of the Division's human resources, provide coaching and mentoring to Division colleagues as needed in planning and carrying out their activities as per applicable regional strategies
• Contribute to processes to ensure team coherence, team communication, and compliance with HR procedures
• Contribute to recruitment processes for the Division as required
• Assist and advise the Head of Division on the improvement of departmental management practices and procedures, and oversee the implementation of improvement measures where appropriate
• Build and nurture partnerships across regions / member and beneficiary states / international organizations / multilateral actors / civil society organizations
• Support the Head of Division in building organizational cohesiveness and resilience, through the promotion of a collaborative and learning organizational culture
• Participate in the fundraising and grant management efforts for area of responsibility
• Oversee programmes for countries permanently delegated by the Head of Division
• Provide and/or organize support for field offices, supervise the work of field offices and monitor their performance
• Promote the incorporation of gender perspectives and the equal participation of women and men in all aspects of the work of the Division
• Assume delegated authority regarding reporting, financial management and operational coherence, and substitute for the Head of Division when and as needed                                                                      

YOUR EXPERIENCE

• At least ten years of working experience and a security, defence or parliamentary background, preferably acquired working on or in the region
• Advanced university degree in security, defence, political science/international relations or related field
• Fluency in French and English, both written and spoken, is a must.
• Practical experience in designing, planning, management and implementation of programmes, and more specifically in grant management
• Good communication (verbal and written), writing capacity, editing skills and attention to details
• Excellent understanding of security sector reforms and governance
• Strong people and team management skills
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a multi-cultural team
• Networking capacity with a wide range of potential stakeholders at all levels both within governments and non-governmental and multinational organisations

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

If you think you are a good match for DCAF and the position advertised, please apply online at https://dcaf-flexperso.ch by 15 July 2023 midnight enclosing:

• a one-page motivational statement in English describing your relevant experience and what you can bring to DCAF
• a concise CV (maximum two pages)

DCAF is committed to equality of opportunity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of sex, age, disability, gender identity, religion, or ethnicity.

Individuals who seek to serve with DCAF in any individual capacity will be required, if short-listed, to complete a self-attestation stating that they have not committed or been convicted of any criminal offence and have not been involved, by act or omission, in the commission of any violation of international human rights law or international humanitarian law.