National Advisor, Ukraine (Europe and Asia)

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.

The Europe and Asia Entity at DCAF works across Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, Central Asia and other parts of Europe and Asia, providing policy advice, capacity-building, technical assistance and support to institutional reforms. Its work covers areas such as democratic oversight, accountability, integrity and anti-corruption, human rights, defence and security governance, and institutional resilience, working closely with governments, parliaments, security institutions, civil society and international partners.

For our field office in Kyiv, Ukraine, we are looking for a highly-motivated and dynamic individual to be our next National Advisor (Europe and Asia).

Location: Kyiv, Ukraine

Starting date: As soon as possible

Work rate: 100%

Duration: 2-year fixed-term contract *

The role

The National Advisor provides senior substantive expertise and policy advice on DCAF’s civilian security sector governance portfolio in Ukraine. The position supports policy dialogue, programme development and implementation, and sustained engagement with relevant Ukrainian state institutions, law enforcement actors, oversight bodies and civil society. The National Advisor monitors emerging reform priorities and developments in the security sector and translates these into relevant programming priorities and opportunities for DCAF engagement.

The position contributes to ensuring that DCAF’s support is grounded in the Ukrainian context and responsive to both ongoing reform processes and the realities of the wartime environment. Particular emphasis is placed on strengthening democratic governance, accountability, rule of law and respect for human rights, as well as integrating human security considerations into programme design and implementation. The National Advisor also supports meaningful engagement between security institutions, oversight actors, civil society and affected communities.

Within the team structure, the National Advisor provides the principal country-level substantive expertise on civilian security sector governance. The position complements the leadership and coordination role of the Head of Field Office and works closely with Programme Manager, other National Advisors and Geneva-based thematic experts. The National Advisor contributes to maintaining sustained institutional dialogue, translating policy developments into programming priorities and ensuring coherence across activities related to law enforcement, human rights, human security and civil society. The position reports to Head of Office in Kyiv.

Key areas of operation

• Lead DCAF’s substantive engagement on civilian security sector governance in Ukraine, providing expert advice on democratic governance, accountability, rule of law and human rights.
• Monitor and analyse political, institutional and security sector developments, identify emerging reform priorities and translate them into programming and policy engagement opportunities.
• Develop and maintain strategic working relationships with Ukrainian state institutions, law enforcement bodies, oversight actors, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
• Advise on the design, implementation and adaptation of DCAF programmes, ensuring that interventions are grounded in the Ukrainian context and responsive to national reform priorities and the realities of the wartime environment.
• Strengthen the integration of human rights and human security considerations across DCAF’s Ukraine portfolio, including through engagement with civil society and communities.
• Represent DCAF in relevant policy dialogues, consultations, working groups and high-level meetings, and contribute substantive analysis and expertise to programme development, donor engagement and strategic discussions.

Qualifications

• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in security sector governance, security sector reform, governance, rule of law, human rights, law enforcement or a related field.
• Professional proficiency in Ukrainian and English, with the ability to engage confidently with Ukrainian institutions, civil society and international partners.
• In-depth knowledge of Ukraine’s political, institutional and security sector context, including current reform processes and the challenges arising from the wartime environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in civilian security sector governance, with a strong understanding of democratic oversight, accountability, rule of law and human rights.
• Proven experience in policy analysis, advisory work and programme development, including translating political and institutional developments into practical recommendations or programme interventions.
• Established experience engaging with government institutions, security and law enforcement actors, oversight bodies, civil society and/or international organisations, with strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ukrainian citizenship at the time of application is a prerequisite.

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
• the position is offered on the basis of an official employment contract, with all applicable taxes and statutory social security contributions paid by the employer in accordance with Ukrainian legislation
• the expected net monthly salary (after applicable taxes and employee social security contributions) is EUR 2,600–2,800, depending on qualifications and relevant experience

* The post remains subject to continued project funding.

Application instructions

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