Senior TOC & SSG Research Lead — Remote

DCAF; Schweiz; Remote; CHF 111,000 - 166,000; Part time

Job summary

DCAF is seeking a Senior Subject Matter Expert on Transnational Organised Crime (TOC) & Security Sector Governance (SSG) / Research Lead for a remote consultancy.

The role focuses on leading comparative research across Latin America, the Caribbean, West Africa and the Western Balkans, developing a Practical Framework for Programming on TOC‑affected environments, and guiding regional teams. Travel for missions will be required, with a contract through 2027.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Masters or PhD) in political science, international relations, law, criminology, security studies or related social science discipline.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in security policy advisory, empirical research and comparative strategy development, with demonstrated expertise in TOC and SSG/R.
• Proven comparative case study methodology and operational guidance development experience; familiarity with Latin America, the Caribbean, West Africa and the Western Balkans.
• Experience engaging donor inter-agency mechanisms and multilateral security advisory missions.
• Professional fluency in English and Spanish; working knowledge of French desirable; expert workshop facilitation is an asset.
• The consultant reports to a Senior Manager in the Africa Americas entity and delivers across Nov 2026–Dec 2027.

Responsibilities

• Lead comparative research, document Latin America and the Caribbean case studies, and guide regional research teams.
• Consolidate cross‑regional findings and contribute to expert validation and knowledge‑sharing activities.
• Develop an evidence‑based Practical Framework for Programming on security sector governance in TOC‑affected environments.
• Develop a case selection framework, standardised research protocols and interview guides; conduct desk reviews and field visits.
• Provide methodological oversight and synthesize findings into a draft and final framework; support workshops with partners and validation events in Geneva.

Skills

English fluency

Spanish fluency

French knowledge (desirable)

Workshop facilitation

TOC/SSG expertise

Research leadership

Donor engagement

Education

Masters or PhD in political science/IR/law/criminology

Job description

DCAF is seeking a Senior Subject Matter Expert on Transnational Organised Crime (TOC) & Security Sector Governance (SSG) / Research Lead for a remote consultancy.

The role focuses on leading comparative research across Latin America, the Caribbean, West Africa and the Western Balkans, developing a Practical Framework for Programming on TOC‑affected environments, and guiding regional teams. Travel for missions will be required, with a contract through 2027.