Country: Myanmar
Closing date: 21 May 2018
Initiated by the Swiss Government, the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) is one of the world’s leading institutions in the areas of security sector governance and security sector reform. Since 2013, DCAF has been providing advisory support and capacity building assistance in the field of police reform and security sector governance in Myanmar. In the context of its expanding activities in Myanmar, DCAF wishes to recruit a
Key Expert Legal Reform and Parliament (Long-term Consultancy until 30 November 2021, 100%)
who will be based in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, with frequent travel to Yangon, Myanmar.
Responsibilities: The incumbent will serve as a Key Expert for DCAF’s contribution to a multi-year police reform support programme (MYPOL) funded by the European Commission and implemented by Fundación Internacional para Iberoamérica de Administración y Políticas Públicas (FIIAPP). The project’s objective is to contribute to an effective, efficient, accountable and trusted police service, applying international best practices and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The tasks include:
• Under the supervision of the Head of DCAF’s Asia-Pacific Unit, be responsible for DCAF’s contributions in providing assistance to the Parliament, the Ministry of Home Affairs (including the Myanmar Police Force / MPF), the Attorney-General’s Office as well as other national stakeholders such as relevant civil society organizations and academic and research institutions. The task includes reviewing current police-related laws, offering technical assistance in revising such laws, contributing to training courses organized by MYPOL to the MPF and other actors on the legal framework guiding the work of the police, developing and offering training courses to parliamentarians and parliamentary staff on security sector governance, security sector reform, police oversight, specialized committees and skills development It also includes comparative assessments of international and regional practise, capacity building workshops, study tours and legal/policy advice, organized independently or together with the second DCAF Key Expert and Key Experts of project partners working on other aspects of the MYPOL project.
Project planning, implementation and monitoring:
• Serve as a key expert and permanent member of the Myanmar-based project team on behalf of and representing DCAF;
• Implement the and activities of the ‘Support to the Reform of the Myanmar Police Force’ project under DCAF’s scope of work in close consultation with DCAF’s Asia-Pacific Unit, in close collaboration with short-term experts brought in to assist in implementing activities, as well as the MYPOL project team in Myanmar and other stakeholders, as appropriate;
• Liaise with local and international stakeholders for the (co-)organization of workshops and meetings in Myanmar as well as potential international study visits of delegations of Myanmar stakeholders;
• Initiate, conceptualize, organize and provide substantive input to periodic consultation meetings, workshops and modules contributed to project partners’ activities, in close collaboration with local stakeholders and project partners, based in, among others, Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw;
• Carry out tailored comparative assessments and research on project-related substance matters;
• Jointly with the Geneva-based team, identify, contract and supervise international and local short-term experts to assist in the implementation of the project;
• Periodically report as required to Myanmar-based main implementing partner and to Geneva-based DCAF project lead;
• Collect data to facilitate monitoring of project activities;
• Prepare material for internet and IT-based project management tools;
• Provide administrative, logistical and financial management of assigned tasks.
Requirements and qualifications:
• Postgraduate university degree in political science, public administration, law (comparative domestic and international law), preferably in a field related to police administration and governance, security, criminal justice or other relevant field and/or extensive experience as member of a national parliament or parliamentary staff (ideally also in security-related parliamentary committee);
• Demonstrated comparative research, policy or operational experience on security sector governance in democratising countries, with an emphasis on police services and/or parliament;
• Familiarity with the political and security contexts in Myanmar and Southeast Asia/Asia-Pacific more broadly;
• Professional experience related to internal and external accountability mechanisms (e.g. police accountability/complaints mechanisms; ombuds institutions; independent complaints mechanisms; parliamentary oversight); as well as legal reviews and amendments;
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation in the field of security and rule of law, with excellent report writing skills;
• Strong results-based management skills, acquired in previous leadership positions in capacity development support programmes;
• Experience in project management and implementation in Southeast Asia/Asia-Pacific, particularly in Myanmar, is considered an asset;
• Experience in the development and implementation of capacity building programmes comprising the organisation of conferences, workshops and tailor-made training activities;
• Experience in reviewing and monitoring based on results-based project management; including proposals, log-frames, reports as well as in managing, monitoring and reporting on project results and finances;
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills as well as an ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, international and at times challenging environment;
• Experience in working with diverse groups of stakeholders including International Organizations, international/local NGOs, private sector and government authorities;
• Excellent inter-personal skills with the capacity to forge strong working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders;
• Familiarity with externally supported police reform and parliamentary capacity building support projects;
• Familiarity with European Union/European Commission-funded projects;
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of EU policies and priorities;
• Experience with extensive stays abroad, including in transition countries;
• Excellent analytical and communication skills;
• Good computer skills including, excel, power point and word.
Professional experience:
• Preferably 15, but at a minimum of 12 years of professional and/or academic experience in policy issues within the justice, rule of law and security sector;
• Proven experience in training and coaching of police and/or parliamentarians;
• Demonstrated experience in the alignment of development intervention/change management with civil service/public sector management;
• Experience working on rule of law or security sector reform in transition societies;
• Deep understanding of the social, political, legal and economic issues affecting security sector reforms and/or law enforcement strategies in societies in transition;
• Relevant experience in Southeast Asia – and Myanmar – will be an asset.
Language skills:
• Excellent command of written and spoken English;
• Excellent drafting and editing skills;
• Knowledge of Myanmar and/or Southeast Asian languages is considered an asset.
Indicative starting date: 01 July 2018.
Remuneration: A competitive consultancy-based compensation package will be offered, including salary, housing allowance, transportation for the incumbent to and from his/her place of residence and annual home-leave entitlements.
How to apply:
Interested candidates meeting the qualifications are invited to e-mail their curriculum vitae together with a motivation letter by 21 May 2018 to the Selection Committee as asia-pacific@dcaf.ch (subject: “KE Myanmar”). Interviews will be conducted shortly thereafter. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.