Project Officer (Middle East and North Africa)

Position description

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.

For our Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Entity, we are seeking a highly dedicated and dynamic professional to be our next PROJECT OFFICER

• Location Geneva, Switzerland
• Starting date March 2026, or as soon as possible
• Work rate 80-100 %
• Contract type 1 year renewable

The role

Reporting to the Head and Deputy Head of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Entity, the Project Officer supports the development, implementation, and monitoring of programs and projects in DCAF’s countries of operation in MENA, with specific focus on country contexts under the Trust Fund for North Africa (TFNA).

• Support the development and implementation of DCAF’s programs and projects related to SSG/R in MENA, encompassing conceptualization, design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects and/ or mandates;
• Support MENA in outreach activities, including contributing to donor outreach;
• Budget monitoring, review, and financial reporting to donors;
• Identifying and communicating with partners and experts, negotiating agreements, fees and terms of reference, drafting contracts, and ensuring satisfactory implementation of activities through timely and diligent follow-up;
• Perform methodology development and project document review, carry out knowledge and process indicators extraction, and contribute to report writing;
• Support in the identification of successful interventions, learning from projects and mandates, as well as associated knowledge management;
• Support MENA team in the collection and compilation of information for DCAF RBM reporting;
• Deliver training and presentations to diverse audiences as requested;
• Planning, organizing and implementing multistakeholder meetings and other engagements under the umbrella of the TFNA, and supporting the organization of other events and conferences, including with development of an agenda, identification of venue and provision of logistical support;
• Drafting and providing quality control of background documents, talking points, social media posts, and newsletter content;
• Providing administrative and logistical support, such as note-taking for project management;
• Deploy to support missions/ mandates as MENA team member;
• Assisting in the preparation and coordination of missions, including in support of MENA team members and partners; and
• Offering additional support across the MENA team as required by the line manager.

Minimum requirements

• An advanced university degree in law, political science, international relations, development, security studies or related field.
• Three to five years of relevant professional experience.
• Strong interest for and proven experience working on matters pertaining to the MENA region.
• Knowledge of multistakeholder funding mechanisms.
• Experience working in support of high-level stakeholder groups (e.g., Advisory Board, Steering Committee).
• Familiarity with SSG/R is a strong asset.
• Excellent writing skills in English. Working knowledge of Arabic is considered a strong asset.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Cultural sensitivity and, ideally, familiarity with the MEA region.
• Swiss or EU citizenship or valid work permit for Switzerland at the time of application is required.

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.

Application instructions

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