Security sector reform (SSR) is a nationally-owned process aimed at ensuring that security and justice providers are accountable to the state and its people; deliver effective, efficient and affordable security and justice services that meet the people’s needs; operate within a framework of good governance, rule of law, and respect for human rights; and are legitimate. SSR addresses a number of problems such as the ineffective provision of security and justice services; the inability of security and justice institutions to deliver their services equally in response to the needs of all groups of society; the lack or absence of independent and well-functioning accountability and oversight mechanisms.

Objective

The goal of the course is to offer an overview of the concept of SSR, highlight the key SSR actors and their roles and outline the implementation of SSR programmes.

Content and Structure

The course is structured in four lessons that will be covered for over three hours:

• Lesson 1: Introduction to the concept of SSR
• Lesson 2: Understanding the SSR context
• Lesson 3: Key actors and coordination of SSR processes
• Lesson 4: International support to an SSR process

Target Audience

Participants are not expected to have prior experience in or knowledge of the protection of civilians. However, as this is an advanced course, participants must:

• Have a sound understanding of the structure and functioning of a peace operation;
• Have a university degree in a relevant area with a proven interest in security sector reform (BA or equivalent) or the equivalent working experience in a relevant field (2 to 4 years);
• Have a good command of the English language (reading and writing);
• Be computer literate.