Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 31 Jan 2017
Background: DCAF is a centre for security, development and the rule of law, and is one of the world’s leading organisations in the area of justice and security sector reform (SSR) and justice and security sector governance (SSG). The Centre was founded in October 2000 on the initiative of the Swiss government. Its core services includes i) : strategic policy advice to governments and international organisations based on policy relevant and empirical research; ii) technical assistance and advice to national governments undertaking security and justice reforms; iii) practical field support to the international community in the assessment, design, monitoring, and evaluation of security and justice sector programmes/projects and processes; iv) development of knowledge products and tools for security and justice sector reform practitioners.
The International Security Sector Advisory Team (ISSAT) is a department within DCAF that was established in 2008 to provide practical support to the international community in its efforts to improve security and justice, primarily in conflict-affected and fragile states. It does this by working with a group of member states and institutions (its Governing Board Members) to develop and promote good security and justice reform practices and principles, and by helping its Members to build their capacity to support national and regional security and justice reform processes.
ISSAT provides support to its members across four service lines:
- Advisory Field Support
- Training and Capacity Building
- Knowledge Services
- Advocacy and Outreach
ISSAT works on a modular approach, whereby advisors and project officers work on activities or mandates across all service lines. In addition to being the lead for ISSAT’s advisory field support work, the post holder will also be expected to contribute to all other areas of ISSAT’s activities.
This is a demanding and high profile implementation and representational role, requiring overseas travel and wide-ranging high-level departmental contacts within international organisations, governments, development agencies and their staff overseas. ISSAT may operate in post-conflict contexts, so the post-holder will have to demonstrate an ability to work in challenging conditions.
Tasks & Responsibilities:
The post holder will be a member of the senior management team and will be expected to:
- Lead the overall management of ISSAT’s Advisory Field Support missions (ensuring that all AFS missions are completed to standard, remain within ISSAT’s Mandate, and in accordance with allocated resources
- Lead or contribute to individual Justice and Security Sector Reform support missions related to assessments, programme design, and M&E;
- Identify and develop new ways for ISSAT to reinforce and support its Members in the field in line with ISSAT’s Mandate;
- Lead or contribute to initial discussions with ISSAT Governing Board Members to identify and shape ISSAT advisory field support;
- Provide assistance to ISSAT Governing Board Members in developing their policies for SSR support;
- Provide guidance and advice through coaching/ mentoring to ISSAT Members and as requested, to national counterparts;
- Contribute to the overall management of the ISSAT team and its operations, and support the further development of ISSAT team members;
- Maintain effective liaison with partner and ISSAT Governing Board members and the wider SSR community; present findings from missions to donors and partner states or at conferences/seminars/training courses as required;
- Adapt and/or develop methodologies and approaches to support SSR, including creating practical operational guidance tools;
- Extract lessons identified from engagements to feed into ISSAT and wider multilateral SSR policy development and implementation processes;
- Assist in the design and delivery of standardised or tailored training programmes, courses and conferences to meet donor, partner and organisational needs;
- Contribute blog posts, forum responses and other inputs to the ISSAT SSR Community of Practice;
Summary of key competencies for the post
Core ISSAT competencies:
- Professionalism
- Innovation and creativity
- Commitment to learning
- Flexibility
- Team work
- Respect for diversity
- Political sensitivity
- Commitment and dedication
- Accountability (performance and behavioural)
Managerial competencies:
- Leadership
- Strategic vision
- Judgement and decision-making
- Empowering others and delegation
- Managing performance
- Team building and team management
- Building trust
Functional competencies:
- Significant experience of Justice and Security Sector Reform processes in sub-Saharan Africa or other post-conflict contexts/regions;
- Significant knowledge and experience in one or more of the following: governance mechansisms, justice reform, police reform, defence reform, border management, non-state security and justice providers, public financial management;
- Significant knowledge and experience in one or more of the following: assessments, programme design, setting up monitoring mechanisms, evaluations, risk management, political engagement, coordination;
- Excellent programme and project management skills;
- Good communication (verbal and written), influencing and presentation skills;
- The ability to network and liaise effectively with a wide range of potential stakeholders at all levels both within governments and non-governmental and multinational organisations;
- Able to analyse situations quickly and effectively, adapt to rapidly changing circumstances and produce workable solutions to meet customer requirements;
- The post holder is expected to uphold the principle of local ownership at all times and ensure that gender considerations are addressed in all activitives.
The post holder is expected to have knowledge of the UN approach to SSR and familiarity with other institutional approaches (e.g. AU, EU, AfDB, OECD etc), as well as knowledge of latest developments in the fields of rule of law, justice reform, human rights, and gender. An interest in international relations and development issues, fundamental to the SSR concept, is also desirable.
Qualifications: For this post, a Masters degree in law, conflict studies, international relations, development, political science, or a related field is required. The post holder must have a minimum of 12-15 years of relevant work experience in justice and security sector reform, including extensive field experience related to the tasks and responsibilities of the position.
Languages: The team’s operating language is English. Fluent French would be a definite advantage, as would other languages such as Arabic and Spanish.
How to apply:
Candidates meeting the qualifications are invited to e-mail their CV with a cover letter explaining their interest and suitability for the position to ISSATrecruitment@dcaf.ch.
The deadline for applications is 31 January 2017.
Selection will be carried out based on CV/Cover Letter analysis, followed by a written evaluation and competency-based interviews.
ISSAT is strongly committed to geographical and gender diversity. Individuals from countries who have undergone/are undergoing an SSR process are strongly encouraged to apply.
ISSAT retains the right to make an offer at a level below what has been advertised depending on the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications.