Project Officer, Slovenia (Europe and Asia)new

At DCAF, we envision a world where democratic sector governance advances sustainable peace and development and human dignity for all.

Our mission is to advance the security of all people through nationally owned, inclusive, and participatory security sector reforms based on international norms and good practices.

DCAF contributes to making peace and development more sustainable by assisting partner states and international actors supporting these states, to improve the governance of their security sector through inclusive and participatory reforms. It creates innovative knowledge products, promotes norms and good practices, provides legal and policy advice and supports capacity‐building of both state and non‐state security sector stakeholders.

DCAF Ljubljana is a permanent DCAF regional office, based in Slovenia. The office is responsible for two main programmes: implementation of the Police Cooperation Convention for Southeast Europe (PCC SEE) and the Western Balkans Border Security Programme (BSP). With funding from the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), DCAF Ljubljana is implementing the “CHAIN BiH” project, which aims to strengthen sub-national case-building and inter-agency coordination against organised immigration crime (OIC) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a focus on Una-Sana Canton. DCAF Ljubljana is looking to employ a motivated, well-organised and positive individual to be our next Project Officer (Europe and Asia).

Location: DCAF Ljubljana, Slovenia, with frequent travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina *

Starting date: November 2026 or upon agreement

Work rate: 100%

Duration: Fixed-term employment until 31 March 2029, with the possibility of extension **

The role

Join DCAF Ljubljana as a Project Officer, supporting the implementation of the project “CHAIN BiH”. Reporting to the Project Manager, you will be responsible for the operational, logistical, administrative and financial support of project activities, and will contribute to monitoring, evaluation and learning, reporting and coordination with national and cantonal partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Key areas of operation

Project implementation support

• Support the Project Manager in the planning, organisation and day-to-day implementation of project activities, including workshops, trainings, field visits, working meetings and meetings of the Practice Review Forum.
• Manage the logistical and administrative preparation of activities, including travel, venues, interpretation and translation, participant lists and procurement of goods and services, in line with DCAF procedures.
• Prepare background materials, agendas, presentations, minutes and summary notes of meetings and activities.
• Support the evidence-gathering and diagnostic work of the project, including the collection, organisation and basic analysis of information from the field.

Coordination and communication

• Maintain regular contact with focal points in partner institutions, external experts and service providers.
• Support the organisation of the participation of officers from EU Member States within the framework of the PCC SEE.

Financial and administrative management

• Monitor project expenditure against the approved budget in close cooperation with the Project Manager and the DCAF finance and administration team.
• Prepare, verify and file financial documentation, contracts, invoices and supporting documents in compliance with donor and DCAF requirements.
• Keep project documentation and records complete, accurate and audit-ready.

Monitoring, reporting and visibility

• Collect and maintain monitoring data against project indicators, including sex- and age-disaggregated data, and support the documentation of lessons learned.
• Contribute to the preparation of narrative and financial reports for the donor and DCAF management.
• Support project visibility and communication activities in accordance with donor requirements.

Your experience

We are looking for a motivated, well-organised and detail-oriented professional with solid experience in supporting international projects, who enjoys working in a team and in a multi-cultural institutional environment.

You bring

• University degree (Bachelor’s or higher) in a relevant field (e.g., security studies, law, social studies, international relations, public administration, economics or related disciplines)
• 3 to 5 years professional experience, including a minimum of 2 years of experience in supporting the implementation of international projects
• Experience in the organisation and logistics of events, trainings and meetings
• Experience in contributing to project monitoring and to narrative and financial reporting
• Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in multi-cultural environments;
• Professional working proficiency in English and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, including the ability to provide consecutive interpretation;
• Very good knowledge of Microsoft Office tools, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Desirable assets

The following would be considered an advantage:

• Experience in project administration and financial monitoring, including handling of financial documentation in line with donor requirements
• Familiarity with UK Government (FCDO)-funded programmes or other bilateral donor-funded projects
• Experience working with international organisations or EU-funded programmes
• Understanding of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) principles and experience with collecting disaggregated data

We offer

At DCAF Ljubljana, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a project that supports more effective, rights-based responses to organised immigration crime and stronger security sector governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

We offer:

• an opportunity to work on a high-impact international project with tangible regional impact
• a rewarding, dynamic and meaningful work experience
• the chance to be part of a diverse team of collaborative, respectful, hardworking and values-driven people
• opportunity for professional growth, international networking and continuous learning
• the chance to contribute to advance the security of all people through nationally owned, inclusive, and participatory security sector reforms based on international norms and good practices

* The post holder is expected to undertake regular travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina, in particular to Una-Sana Canton.

** The post remains subject to continued project funding.