SayPro PROJECT OFFICER (Sub-Saharan Africa Division)

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 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 members represent over 50 countries and the Canton of Geneva. 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 visit www.dcaf.ch and follow us on Twitter @DCAF_Geneva.

For our Sub-Saharan Africa Division, we are seeking a dynamic, organised and creative individual to be our next

• Project Officer – Sub-Saharan Africa Division (80-100%)
• Location: Geneva
• Starting date: as soon as possible
• Duration: 12 Months

The role

The Project Officer (PO) provides support in the implementation and administration of the programmes of the Sub-Saharan Africa Division (SSAD). Specifically, the PO will be assigned to projects in the Sahel with a regional component, including a regional project implemented in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger and activities in Mauritania. She/He primarily assists the Programme Manager (PM) and experts deployed in project management, research, reporting and administration as well as communication. She/He also provides support in monitoring/evaluation and coordination of programme activities and in the development of new projects through contributing to draft concept notes and project proposals. She/he supports the organization, facilitation and reporting on activities with partners in the field.

Responsibilities

Operational / project management

• Support the project or team lead in the design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of projects and/or mandates.
• Implement or support the implementation of national or regional project/mandate-related activities, including budget monitoring and review and support to expert missions.
• Contribute to drafting documents for internal and external audiences such as concept notes, project proposals, terms of reference, budgets, contracts, summaries, reports, and planning documents.
• Prepare background summaries, speaking points, presentations and other documents as requested.
• Perform methodology development and project documental review, carry out knowledge and process indicators’ extraction, contribute to report writing.
• Support the organisation of events and conferences, including with development of an agenda, identification of venue and provision of logistical support.
• Help to identify evidence of successful interventions; support and manage learning from projects and mandates, and knowledge development.
• Provide support to monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEAL) related activities.
• Contribute to the measurement and articulation of project results through the DCAF Results-Based Management (RBM) system.

Administrative tasks:

• Contribute to delivery of administrative and logistics support.
• Deploy on missions / mandates as a team member.
• Support budget planning and expenditure processes.
• Liaise with experts and service providers such as translators, graphic designers and printers; handle the contract drafting, invoice follow up, payment etc.
• Assist in preparing background information and DCAF documents/publications, including presentations, posters, flyers, other promotional material.
• Manage external and internal communication of the diverse projects and activities implemented in the Sahel through coordinating the development of the monthly Newsletter and the bi-weekly Staff Bulleting and through ensuring visibility of DCAF and partners.

Relationship management

• Liaise and coordinate with DCAF’s Sahel Field Offices and Teams and provide day-to-day support / follow up to the implementation of projects and interact closely with same-entity colleagues.
• Liaise with project-partners and consultants as requested.
• Contribute to fund raising efforts through strategic monitoring of tender calls and drafting concept notes and project proposals in coordination with the field offices.
• Contribute to the Division’s communication efforts.
• May contribute to the development and management of relations with bilateral and multilateral donors.
• Mentor junior staff.

Experience Required for the Position

• Master’s in political sciences, international relations, law or other related fields.
• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience working on governance or peacebuilding
• projects.
• Familiarity with project planning and design, budget management, project implementation. monitoring and evaluation.
• Excellent communications skills in written and spoken English and French.
• SSR knowledge or experience in regional and/or multilateral organisations or think tanks.
• Knowledge or experience in Sub-Saharan Africa or Sahel region is an asset.
• 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.