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 60 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.

As part of DCAF’s next strategy development (2025-2029), we are looking for a highly qualified and motivated expert to be contracted as:

External expert (consultant) to support DCAF’s Strategy Development 2025-2029

• Location: Home-based with 2-5 trips to Geneva
• Starting date: September 2023
• Duration: 20 service days in the period of September 2023 – May 2024

Reporting: The expert will be assigned to the Director’s office

The role

The selected external expert will work closely with DCAF’s staff to facilitate the analysis of our current landscape, identify key opportunities and challenges, and support the development of a robust strategy that aligns with our vision and values.

Key deliverables:

1. The facilitation of internal workshops pertaining to the evaluation of the current strategy.
2. An external scan of the environment and its impact on the organisation.
3. Moderation of two online consultation workshops with external stakeholders, including donors and representatives of partner states.
4. Drafting of milestone documents, including the report on the results of the consultations as well as the various iterations of the draft strategy.

Your experience

• Proven expertise in strategy development, preferably in an area related to security sector governance and reform, within the wider context of peace, human rights and development interlinkages.
• Experience with methodologies to support organisational reflection in the context of strategy development.
• Knowledge and experience with security sector governance and reform, from the perspective of SSR programming, policy and research and support for multilateral organisations.

Your skills

• Excellent analytical, synthetical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think critically and strategically as well as the capacity to encourage agile and critical thinking.
• Outstanding facilitation skills as to foster communication, cooperation and creativity within and across teams.
• Strong communication and presentation abilities to effectively convey complex ideas to diverse audiences. Capacity to capture the essence of the discussions.
• Fluency in English, professional working proficiency of French is considered an asset.
• Preferably based in the greater Geneva region, or in Europe to facilitate in person work.
• Advanced degree in a relevant field, such as preferably political science, conflict studies, security studies, human rights or international relations.

We offer

• A rewarding, dynamic and challenging work experience.
• 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 this position advertised, please apply on www.flexperso.ch by 9^th August midnight enclosing:

• a maximum one-page motivational statement in English describing your relevant experience for the development of DCAF’ strategy and what you can bring to DCAF.
• a concise CV (maximum two pages)
• A proposal of maximum 300 words outlining the candidate’s approach to strategy development and the key challenges and areas that would need to be addressed during the process.

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