Program Officer – Dealing with the Past (80 – 100 %)

swisspeace, University of Basel

Starting date: 1 September 2025 (or by agreement)

Application deadline: 15 June 2025

swisspeace is a practice and research institute dedicated to advancing effective peacebuilding. Partnerships with local and international actors are at the core of our work. Together, we combine competence and creativity to reduce violence and promote peace in contexts affected by conflicts. swisspeace is an associated institute of the University of Basel.

To reinforce its Dealing with the Past Program swisspeace is looking for a Program Officer – Dealing with the Past.

The swisspeace Dealing with the Past (also referred to as transitional justice) team supports governmental and non-governmental actors working to overcome the legacy of massive human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law having occurred in contexts of colonialism, armed conflict and authoritarian regimes, and to prevent their reoccurrence.

Your position

• Shape and develop swisspeace's work on Dealing with the Past
• Develop partnerships, projects, and acquire mandates in support of Dealing with the Past processes
• Provide expertise for Dealing with the Past processes in different contexts
• Deliver Dealing with the Past trainings, coachings and other capacity building activities for partners in peacebuilding contexts, at the University of Basel and internationally
• Contribute to practice-based research projects on Dealing with the Past
• Carry out the administrative and financial management of projects and mandates

Your profile

• Aspiration to shape and grow swisspeace's work on Dealing with the Past bringing in personal experience and expertise including on the nexus between dealing with the past and new technologies, security sector reform or guarantees of non-recurrence
• 4 to 8 years of relevant experience in supporting Dealing with the Past processes, including e.g. security sector reform or guarantees of non-recurrence
• Field experience in conflict and peacebuilding contexts
• Excellent spoken and written English; knowledge of Russian, Arabic, Spanish and/or other relevant languages are a strong asset
• Excellent analytical and drafting skills
• Experience in delivering training and coaching activities
• A team player with an ability to deliver high-quality results under tight deadlines and an ability to work in politically sensitive contexts
• Strong intercultural, interpersonal and communication skills