Switzerland: PROJECT ASSISTANT (PA - 50%)

PROJECT ASSISTANT (PA - 50%)

07-10-2019

The Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) is dedicated to improving the security of states and their people within a framework of democratic governance, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. 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.

DCAF's Foundation Council comprises 63 member states, the Canton of Geneva and six permanent observers. 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 please visit www.dcaf.ch

DCAF’s Asia-Pacific Unit provides support to nationally-led SSR processes and regional security sector experience-sharing initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region. We are looking for a dynamic and committed individual to be our next:

Project Assistant (PA - 50%)

Title: Project Assistant

Unit: Asia-Pacific Unit, Operations Department

Location: Geneva, Switzerland with occasional travel

Duration: The position is for a period of two years in the first instance

Starting date: 1 November 2019

Reporting: The Project Assistant will be assigned to the DCAF Asia-Pacific Unit

Tasks and responsibilities:

The Project Assistant will be responsible for supporting the implementation of security sector governance capacity building projects. Under the supervision of the Unit Head and in close cooperation with other project team members in Geneva, and Nay Pyi Taw, the Project Assistant performs logistical and administrative tasks and carries out research on request.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Carries out targeted research, prepares briefing notes and reviews and updates country- and region-wide mappings on security sector requirements and initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region;
• Drafts a variety of project related documents (project proposals, donor reports, fact sheets, etc.);
• Assists with the procurement of services and financial management of projects;
• Assists in the review, editing and layout of internal reports and publications;
• Carries out logistical and administrative tasks;
• Performs other tasks as required.

Key qualifications:

• Graduate student in a relevant field, such as law, international relations, conflict resolution, history, development, security, peace studies, or political science;
• Excellent proficiency in English, both written and spoken;
• Prior experience in assisting project management, including financial aspects and the organization of conferences, workshops and training activities with international participants;
• Previous experience in projects supporting SSG/SSR in countries in the Asia-Pacific region desirable;
• Outstanding research, writing and analytical skills, including the ability to process and analyse data;
• Demonstrated ability to review, edit and layout texts suitable for publication;
• Demonstrated understanding of security sector governance and reform;
• Excellent IT skills; other relevant skills, including strong organizational abilities, communication skills, ability to work under time pressure and with strict deadlines, ability to work independently and with others in an international environment;
• Swiss or EU citizenship or a valid work permit for Switzerland 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

If you think you are a good match for DCAF and the position advertised, please send your application to APURecruitment@dcaf.ch by 21 October 2019 with the subject heading Project Assistant APU – 50%, 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)

Only candidates invited for an interview will be contacted.

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