At DCAF, we envision a world where democratic sector governance advances sustainable peace and development and human dignity for all.
Our mission is to advance the security of all people through nationally owned, inclusive, and participatory security sector reforms based on international norms and good practices.
DCAF contributes 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.
Workplace: Geneva
Contract type: Permanent contract
Activity rate: 80% - 100%
Entry date: 01/09/2026
Publication date: 14/04/2026
Location : Geneva, Switzerland, with frequent travel to the region as the situation allows
Starting date : 1st September 2026 or upon mutual agreement
Duration : permanent
The role
Reporting to the Head of Entity, the successful applicant will play a key role in ensuring DCAF’s strategic and impactful engagement in Sub‑Saharan Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean. S/he will provide expertise and leadership to the regions’ programmes, contributing to DCAF’s positioning in these regions, and provide oversight to the entity’s staff in HQ and Country offices. The position will also involve representational duties and travel.
Key areas of responsibility
Management
Assist the Head of Entity in horizon scanning and 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, including corporate and regional strategies and annual workplans and budgets
Support the overall management of the entity's human resources, including supporting recruitment processes, ensuring compliance with HR policies and procedures, and objective setting and monitoring through the performance appraisal and development tool (PAD). Provide coaching and mentoring to colleagues as needed in planning and carrying out their activities as per applicable regional strategies.
Assist and advise the Head of Entity on the improvement of departmental management practices and procedures, including promoting team coherence and team communication, and oversee the implementation of improvement measures where appropriate – and aligned with and in support of the wider DCAF organisational change process
Support the promotion of a collaborative and learning organisational culture, including working closely with other DCAF teams in the delivery of the organisation’s learning agenda, and an innovative and rigorous approach to MEAL
Participate in the fundraising and grant management efforts for the entity, including leading on concept note and proposal development
Oversee designated country programmes and provide 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 entity
Assume delegated authority regarding reporting, financial management and operational coherence, and substitute for the Head of Entity when and as needed
Technical expertise
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 of 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
Drive improvements in regional and country analysis and the application of conflict sensitivity principles across the portfolio
Build and nurture partnerships across regions / member and beneficiary states / international organisations / multilateral actors / civil society organisations
Your experience
At least ten years of working experience and a security, defence or parliamentary background, preferably acquired working on or in one or both of the regions
Advanced university degree in security, defence, political science/international relations or related field
Fluency in French, English and Spanish (written and spoken) is a strong asset.
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 meaningful work experience
The chance to be part of a diverse team of collaborative, respectful, hardworking and values‑driven people
The chance to contribute to advance the security of all people through nationally owned, inclusive, and participatory security sector reforms based on international norms and good practices.
DCAF is committed to equality of opportunity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of sex, age, disability, gender identity, religion, or ethnicity.
DCAF is bound by the legal requirements and regulations regarding the issuance of work permits of the jurisdictions in which we operate.
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