Senior Program Officer (80 - 100 %)

swisspeace is a practice and research institute dedicated to advancing effective peacebuilding. It supports and advises local, national, and international actors relevant for peacebuilding, researches topics particularly relevant for peacebuilding practice, provides spaces for exchange and dialogue, and shapes peace policy in Switzerland and globally. swisspeace is an associated institute of the University of Basel.

For its Mediation Program, swisspeace is looking for a:

Senior Program Officer (80 - 100 %)

The swisspeace Mediation Program provides high-quality support to ongoing peace mediation and dialogue processes, giving advice to mediators and conflict parties, providing capacity building for civil society actors, and running inclusion formats. It offers dialogue and mediation training and develops knowledge products based on critical reflections and lessons from peace mediation, negotiation, and dialogue processes. The
Mediation Program also conducts cutting-edge research aimed at influencing scholarly debates and informing peace mediation practice.

Your position

• Lead ongoing activities to support civil society peacebuilding and strategic dialogue processes in Cameroon, including staff supervision
• Provide senior expertise for mediation and dialogue processes in different contexts
• Deliver mediation trainings, coachings and other capacity-building activities for partners in peacebuilding contexts, at the University of Basel and internationally
• Shape swisspeace's work on mediation and dialogue, develop new ideas and secure funding for projects and mandates
• Contribute to practice-based research projects on mediation and dialogue
• Represent swisspeace vis-à-vis local and international partners and expand our network
• Supervise the administrative and financial management of projects and mandates

Your profile

• Aspiration to shape and grow swisspeace's work on mediation and dialogue
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in mediation support, dialogue or peacebuilding
• Master's degree in a relevant discipline
• Extensive field experience in conflict and peacebuilding contexts, preferably in Africa
• Excellent spoken and written English and French (other languages are assets)
• Excellent analytical and drafting skills
• Experience in delivering training and coaching activities
• Broad network in the field of mediation and peacebuilding in Switzerland and internationally
• A team player with an ability to deliver high-quality results under tight deadlines and an ability to work in politically sensitive contexts
• Availability to travel frequently, including to conflict-affected contexts

We offer you

• An interesting and challenging position in an attractive field of work with political relevance
• Attractive working conditions and flexible office hours in Basel
• A positive working atmosphere in a dynamic and international organization