On 1 October 2025, Stefan Schwarz joined the GS-Foundation (GS-F) as Chief Operating Officer. His appointment marks an important step in strengthening GS-F’s leadership for the future of security sector reform. With his extensive career in German law enforcement and his long-standing international engagement, Stefan Schwarz embodies the bridge between national and international practice and strategy that is at the heart of GS-F’s mission.
A career of more than four decades
Stefan Schwarz has dedicated over 40 years to public service in the German police. He held senior positions such as Chief of Staff, Regional Commander, Director Investigations, and Director International Police Missions. These roles gave him a comprehensive understanding of policing – from day-to-day operations to high-level strategy.
Yet his career did not remain within national borders. Since 2007, Stefan has been deeply involved in international missions, including deployments with UNMIK in Kosovo, UNMISS in South Sudan, and short-term assignments with the OSCE.
His international career culminated in two terms at United Nations Headquarters in New York, where he played a leading role in developing the Strategic Guidance Framework (SGF) for international policing, a key concept for peace operations around the world.
Why GS-F matters to him
For Stefan, joining GS-F is not simply a new professional role. It is a continuation of his lifelong commitment to strengthening accountable and democratic security institutions.
“I am excited to join GS-F at such a pivotal moment. Supporting partners around the world in building democratic and accountable security institutions has long been a passion of mine. I look forward to working with the team to contribute to this important mission.” – Stefan Schwarz, COO GS-Foundation
Strengthening GS-F’s leadership for future challenges
The GS-F supports fragile and conflict-affected states in building security institutions that citizens can trust. Guided by the German Government’s Interministerial Strategy on Security Sector Reform (2019), the organization works on projects that address organized crime, terrorism, border security, and broader challenges of rule of law.
With Stefan’s appointment, GS-F underlines its ambition to further professionalize its operations, expand its global partnerships, and ensure long-term sustainability in its projects. His expertise in capacity building, project management, and security sector reform adds significant strength to GS-F’s mission.
“With Stefan Schwarz, we are gaining another exceptional and experienced leader who combines national expertise with international vision. His decades of experience in the German police force and his work as a recognised and successful advisor in international missions will facilitate his work at the GS Foundation and take us as a foundation a step further forward.
In his role as future COO, he will play a decisive role in the strategic and operational orientation of our Foundation and, together with our partners, will shape the central future topics of security sector reform even more effectively,” explains Nicole Mechehrawi, CEO of the GS-Foundation.
Looking ahead
GS-F is already working with partners such as the German Federal Foreign Office, UNDP, UNITAR, and GIZ to design and implement tailor-made reform projects. With Stefan on board, GS-F will further deepen this international cooperation and amplify its impact on the ground.
The challenges of security sector reform are complex and often politically sensitive. They require leadership that combines technical expertise, practical field experience, and the ability to navigate international partnerships. Stefan Schwarz brings all three to GS-F.
As GS-F enters this new chapter, Stefan’s leadership will help ensure that the organization continues to deliver on its mission: supporting governments, international organizations, and civil society in building trustworthy, citizen-oriented security systems that foster long-term political and social stability.
