Senior Adviser (Middle East)

DCAF seeks a Senior Adviser for the Middle East to lead regional strategy, political analysis, and program development. This senior role requires extensive MENA experience and strong stakeholder management skills.

Positioned within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) team, this senior position reports directly to the Head and Deputy Head of the entity. The primary purpose is to strengthen DCAF’s engagements and programs across the Middle East, providing strategic guidance and operational support to ensure effective regional impact.

Responsibilities

• Identify and create new opportunities for process-oriented engagements throughout the Middle East.
• Assist MENA leadership in organizing and executing high-level meetings and field missions.
• Ensure the quality of proposals, reports, analyses, and other documents generated by the MENA team.
• Lead, contribute to, and coordinate research initiatives and knowledge development efforts, identifying relevant needs.
• Conduct ongoing political and conflict analysis for the region, offering strategic policy advice to senior management.
• Support donor relations activities in coordination with senior management and the Partnerships and Development unit.
• Advise country-level teams on drafting proposals and managing program reporting.
• Develop, articulate, and lead proposals for region-wide and sub-regional initiatives.
• Help country teams build and maintain strategic networks with national and international stakeholders.
• Lead lessons-learned processes, including thematic reviews and cross-learning between country programs, while monitoring expertise sharing.
• Prepare the groundwork for high-level cooperation and contacts between DCAF and key stakeholders.
• Represent DCAF at external events when appropriate.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in law, political science, international relations, development, security studies, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience with a proven track record in peace, security, or related fields.
• At least 8 years of direct work experience in the MENA region, preferably including Syria, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory, and/or Yemen.
• Excellent political analysis capabilities and a deep understanding of the Middle East, supported by recent experience in regional countries.
• Strong knowledge of current peacebuilding theories and methods, with the ability to anticipate emerging needs and integrate them into program settings.
• Proven ability to lead thematic work within DCAF, with documented achievements in relevant areas.
• Demonstrated skill in communicating, negotiating, and collaborating with high-level executives, government officials, and multilateral or non-governmental organizations.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment, demonstrating gender-responsive and non-discriminatory values.
• Excellent written and spoken proficiency in both English and French.
• Strong planning, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Proven experience in fundraising and managing donor relations.
• Flexibility and availability for frequent international travel and missions.
• Valid work permit or eligible citizenship for the assigned location at the time of application.

Nice to have

• Proficiency in Arabic.

What the company offers

• The opportunity to contribute to the successful implementation of DCAF’s strategy 2025-2030.
• A rewarding, dynamic, and meaningful work experience.
• The chance to be part of a diverse team of collaborative, respectful, hardworking, and values-driven people.

About the company

DCAF envisions a world where democratic security sector governance advances sustainable peace, development, and human dignity for all. The organization works to make peace and development more sustainable by assisting partner states and international actors in improving their security sector governance through inclusive and participatory reforms based on international norms and good practices.

• Mission-driven focus on advancing security through nationally owned, inclusive, and participatory security sector reforms.
• Commitment to democratic governance and sustainable development.
• Collaborative and respectful team environment.

How to apply

Documents to submit:

• Motivational statement
• CV

Application language: English