DCAF Hiring Senior Manager to Lead Global Business & Security Programs – Apply by 25 June 2025

Senior Manager – Business & Security (80-100%)
Location: Geneva, Switzerland (with regular travel)
Start Date: 1 August 2025 or upon mutual agreement
Duration: Permanent
Organization: Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF)
Application Deadline: 25 June 2025

About DCAF

The Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) envisions a world where democratic governance of the security sector advances sustainable peace, development, and human dignity for all. Our mission is to enhance the security of people through nationally owned, inclusive, and participatory security sector reforms based on international norms and best practices.

DCAF supports partner states and international actors by improving security sector governance through legal and policy advice, innovative knowledge products, capacity-building, and the promotion of good practices. Our work contributes to making peace and development sustainable worldwide.

Position Overview

DCAF is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Manager – Business & Security to lead its business and security programming. This role is crucial in addressing security challenges linked to the private sector, especially in fragile and complex environments where governance structures are weak.

The Business and Security team promotes responsible business conduct and security sector governance through partnerships with multilateral organizations such as the UN and OECD. The Senior Manager will support the implementation of key frameworks, including the Montreux Document, International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (ICoCA), and the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights.

Reporting to the Head of Entity, this role combines leadership, strategic management, technical expertise, and representational duties to advance DCAF’s thought leadership and programming in business and security.

Key Responsibilities

Management

• Support the Head of Entity in identifying strategic opportunities and managing risks within the thematic area of business and security.
• Contribute to DCAF’s strategic planning, including corporate and thematic strategies, annual workplans, and budget processes.
• Oversee team management, including recruitment, mentoring, performance monitoring, and HR policy compliance.
• Advise on and promote improvements in management practices to enhance team cohesion, communication, and operational effectiveness.
• Foster a collaborative, learning-oriented organizational culture, working closely with other teams to advance DCAF’s learning agenda and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) practices.
• Lead fundraising and grant management efforts, including developing proposals to ensure financial sustainability of programs.
• Manage designated thematic and geographical programs, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
• Promote gender equality and equal participation of women and men in all activities.
• Assume delegated authority for reporting, financial management, and operational coherence; act as substitute for the Head of Entity as required.

Technical Expertise

• Provide substantive leadership in areas such as responsible business conduct, human rights due diligence, private security governance, or related security sector governance topics.
• Contribute to policy engagement, advisory services, and training initiatives both internally and externally.
• Represent DCAF at conferences, meetings, and other relevant forums to share knowledge and promote DCAF’s mandate.
• Review publications, research outputs, and proposals to ensure quality and relevance.
• Build and maintain partnerships with public institutions, multilateral actors, civil society organizations, and the private sector to enhance program impact.

Candidate Profile

Experience and Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in security governance, peacebuilding, international development, or related fields, including policy and programming.
• Strong understanding of the intersection between private sector activities, business and human rights, and security sector reform, especially in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.
• Established professional network across governments, multilateral organizations, civil society, and the private sector that can support DCAF’s mission.
• Advanced university degree in political science, international relations, economics, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience in program design, planning, implementation, and grant management.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with strong attention to detail and editing capability.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, with the ability to foster an inclusive, empowering, and respectful working environment.
• Skilled in promoting collaborative approaches across diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively within multicultural teams.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in a relevant second language (such as French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Chinese) is a significant advantage.
• A valid work permit for Switzerland or Swiss/EU citizenship is required at the time of application.

What We Offer

• A meaningful and dynamic work environment where your contributions directly impact peace, security, and development worldwide.
• The opportunity to be part of a diverse, collaborative, respectful, and values-driven team.
• The chance to help advance security sector reforms through inclusive, participatory approaches grounded in international norms and good practices.

How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application on DCAF online by 25 June 2025, including:

• A one-page motivational statement in English outlining relevant experience and what you can contribute to DCAF.
• A concise CV (maximum two pages).

DCAF is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of sex, age, disability, gender identity, religion, or ethnicity. We adhere strictly to all legal requirements concerning work permits and recruitment regulations in the jurisdictions we operate.

DCAF participates in The Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. By applying, you acknowledge and accept the recruitment procedures.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring company. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.