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 sectors 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 brings together representatives of over 40 countries. Active all over the world, DCAF is internationally recognized as one of the world’s leading centres of excellence for security sector governance (SSG) and security sector reform (SSR). For more information, visit www.dcaf.ch and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) @DCAF_Geneva.

DCAF’s Sub-Saharan Africa Division is seeking a professional and qualified person for the following position:

SENIOR SSR ADVISOR – Sub-Saharan Africa Division 80-100%

Location: Geneva

Starting date: January 2025

Duration: 6 months (maternity cover)

The role

Under the supervision of the Head of Division, the Senior SSR Advisor will support the organization’s programming in Sub-Saharan Africa, working closely with teams based in Geneva and in DCAF country offices in the region. In particular, the Senior SSR Advisor will coordinate and offer support for a range of initiatives across SSAD’s programmes, including the development and delivery of our portfolio in the Horn of Africa and the West Africa.

Key areas of responsibility:

• Lead on processes to identify opportunities for engagement at country/regional levels, including conducting context analysis, developing networks, and identifying partnership opportunities to inform the design of programme;
• Develop project and programme proposals to relevant donors;
• Ensure quality control and relevance of programmes, including ensuring programmes have sufficiently developed key programme management tools such as clear problem statements, theories of change, risk/mitigation matrices, and well-articulated outcome statements and results frameworks;
• Lead on processes to define programme work plans and engagement strategies, working with and facilitating the engagement and input of wider colleagues/country offices etc, and also ensuring that programmes are implemented in accordance with the planned schedules and scope of such workplans, including timely and high-quality reporting;
• Take the lead on internal coordination for projects under his/her responsibility, contributing to the management, coaching, guiding and professional development of junior staff as appropriate;
• Supervise consultants assigned to the region-specific programmes under the responsibility of the Senior SSR Advisor;
• Represent DCAF externally as requested and provide policy advice and expert inputs in the context of outreach activities of DCAF senior management.

Your skills and experience:

• At least 10 years’ experience working with a broad range of stakeholders in fragile contexts, with proven technical expertise in the area of security and justice sector governance and reform in Sub-Saharan Africa, and in particular in the Sahel.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct political analysis, and experience in working at the political level.
• Proven experience in managing complex programmes, teams and staff in complex environments.
• Be able to represent DCAF internationally and take the lead on internal coordination.
• Be able to lead the development of knowledge production, review SSR/SSG research products from other DCAF programmes and/or external partners and provide expert input into policy and international policy discussions.
• Experience in mainstreaming gender in all aspects of SSG work and project management.
• Advanced university degree in political science, international relations or related subject.
• Excellent written and spoken French and English.
• A valid work permit for Switzerland (or Swiss/EU citizenship) 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.