Work with us
At GS-Foundation, we believe in transforming lives through sustainable solutions. Explore opportunities to contribute your skills to a greater cause.
Contribute to a Meaningful Future
At GS-Foundation, we are dedicated to fostering democratic governance and strengthening security institutions in regions affected by instability. Our mission focuses on empowering communities through tailored solutions that prioritize human rights, inclusivity, and sustainability.
We collaborate with international organizations, governments, and NGOs to drive impactful changes in areas such as security sector reform, border management, and combating organized crime.
As part of our team, you will contribute to projects that enhance trust in public institutions, promote gender equity, and address complex security challenges worldwide. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or passionate newcomer, your skills can help shape a more resilient and equitable future.
Why work with us?
International & meaningful work
Join us for a meaningful career opportunity in a dynamic international environment, where your work makes a real difference.
Performance-based compensation
Enjoy a fair and competitive salary that is aligned with your performance and reflects market standards.
Generous flextime and remote work
Make the most of our generous flexitime policy and the option to work remotely two days a week, supporting your work-life balance.
30 days of vacation
Benefit from 30 days of vacation per year, offering plenty of time for rest, relaxation, and personal pursuits.
Continuous learning
Take advantage of our commitment to your professional growth with access to training and development.
Sustainable mobility
Benefit from our support for sustainable mobility with the full coverage of your public transport ticket.
Opportunities to join us
We offer dynamic career avenues at GS-Foundation, from supporting strategic initiatives at our headquarters in Essen to contributing your professional expertise on international projects in regions where your skills can make a difference.
Senior experts for the expert pool
Join our expert pool and contribute your professional expertise, as we may be seeking various specialists for international projects.
Apply
Headquarter team in Essen
Work at our headquarters in Essen and support the administration and strategic operational execution of our global projects.
Apply
International Assignment Staff
Deploy your expertise directly in international projects and contribute to security sector reforms in conflict-affected regions.
Apply
Open positions
Headquarters
Headquarters
We currently have no vacancies in this area.
Experts
Experts
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Consultant for the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine (70% position)
Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 – Women, Peace and Security
The Global Security Sector Foundation (GS-F) is seeking a highly qualified National Consultant (Ukraine) (70% position) to support the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 within the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
I. Background and Introduction
The reality in all of our project countries is that the security sector is dominated by men. The gender problem in these police organisations is particularly striking. However, traditional role models and discrimination still exist. Further measures are needed to raise awareness, break down institutional barriers and increase women’s participation in various sectors.
To support their institutional consolidation efforts to empower women and possible EU integration plans, initial approaches or follow-up concepts in the area of gender should therefore be implemented.
II. Project details
Since 2024, GS-F has been implementing the project “Equalforce” in Ukraine and Moldova on behalf of the German Federal Foreign Office. The project strengthens gender equality within security sector institutions by:
- enhancing institutional capacity to prevent and respond to gender-based violence
- promoting women’s leadership in security services
- supporting reforms in line with European standards
In Ukraine, advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda remains a strategic priority, particularly within the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).
The primary objective of these projects is to promote gender equality within civil security authorities and Ministries of Internal Affairs. This will be achieved through targeted training, awareness-raising initiatives, technical assistance and the exchange of best practices to promote the integration of women in police. Together, we want to strengthen the security sectors in these countries and build comprehensive cooperation to promote gender equality and peace.
The aim is also to enable a supra-regional network on gender equality in the security sector to operate on a permanent basis.
III. The GS-Foundation – About Us
The GS-Foundation is a German non-profit organisation dedicated to building effective, accountable and democratic security sector institutions in countries affected by instability or conflict. Our vision is to support our partners in ensuring their own national security and stability. The German government’s 2019 Inter-Ministerial Strategy to Support Security Sector Reform forms the basis of our work.
Our teams around the world are staffed primarily by former senior law enforcement officials. We adhere to internationally recognised human rights standards at all levels of our work and pursue the concept of human security. Our work therefore has a strong focus on addressing the security needs of all citizens and on gender equality.
Our project activities range from advising on national reform and security strategies, training and equipping security forces, to facilitating dialogue between security institutions and society.
IV. Duties, Responsibilities and Scope of Work of the Local Staff
The consultant will provide analytical and practical support to strengthen gender equality and institutional implementation of UNSCR 1325 within the MIA system.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct legal and regulatory analysis on gender equality within the security sector
- Develop internal procedures for handling discrimination, sexual harassment, and gender-based violence cases
- Analyse women’s participation in security governance and decision-making structures
- Develop recommendations on work–life balance and institutional gender equality measures
- Provide policy recommendations and practical implementation guidance
- Present findings to institutional stakeholders when required
The scope of work must be well embedded in national organisational structures and national plans, and strongly adhere to the principles of local ownership and sustainability. Local staff will work under the overall supervision of the GS-Foundation Director, the GS-Foundation Project Leader and the responsible GS-Foundation Project Manager.
V. Qualifications of the Consultants
- Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in gender policy, security sector reform, or related fields
- Proven experience in policy analysis and drafting analytical reports
- Strong knowledge of UNSCR 1325 and the Ukrainian gender equality framework
- Familiarity with the Ukrainian security sector (experience with MIA is an asset)
- Excellent analytical and communication skills
- Fluency in Ukrainian and excellent English language skills
- Experience working with governmental institutions and international partners
- Governmental or security sector experience is considered an advantage.
VI. What we offer
- Direct contribution to Ukraine’s reform and EU integration process
- Engagement in high-level institutional development processes
- Cooperation with international and governmental stakeholders
- A meaningful assignment within a dynamic reform environment
VII. Application
Does this tender appeal to you? Then we look forward to receiving your letter of motivation, together with your CV and – if available- references or relevant work samples.
We are committed to diversity in our organization and welcome applications from all talented individuals, regardless of age, gender/gender identity, cultural and social background, world view or identity. Applicants with severe disabilities who have the same qualifications will be given preferential consideration in accordance with the law.
Please send your application by e-mail by 20 March 2026 to hr@gs-foundation.com.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Senior experts
Senior experts
In order to meet our growing demands in a dynamic and international environment, we would like to expand our pool of experts to include qualified experts in various fields.
Experts that we accept into our expert pool will be considered by us for international project assignments in the future, depending on our needs.
We are looking for you!
Are you a team player who is characterised by fair treatment and respect? Can we rely on you to always behave in an exemplary manner and to abide by universal values and laws during your international deployment?
Are you resilient, physically fit and reliable? Are you ready to apply your professional expertise in a complex international environment?
We are currently seeking for possible future long- and short-term assignments:
- Senior Leadership Experts from the police and military sector with personnel management expertise and experience in bilateral or multilateral operations; and
- Senior Technical Experts also – but not exclusively – from the police and military sector, who have specific technical expertise relevant to the democratic reform processes of security institutions.
The detailed requirements and the application tool can be found below.
What we expect:
- A high level of motivation as a leading member of one of our global teams, who will play a key role in the implementation of our projects in the country of assignment;
- Many years of experience in managing staff;
- Preferably experience in bilateral and multilateral assignments abroad;
- Diplomatic negotiating skills
- Ability to work with a wide range of official stakeholders in the context of security sector reform, including public administration, civil society, police, military and justice, non-governmental organisations and other security actors in the respective context;
- Very good understanding of reform processes in the area of democratic security sector reform;
- Preferably experience with baseline assessments and needs analysis;
- Very good German and English language skills;
- Excellent written communication skills (error-free, stylistically appropriate and targeted formulations)
- Strong social, communication and intercultural skills;
- High ability to work under pressure, ability to work independently, high degree of flexibility;
- Excellent conceptual and analytical skills, communication and presentation skills;
- and excellent physical fitness
If you are interested, please send your CV and letter of motivation to hr@gs-foundation.com.
International Assignment Staff
International Assignment Staff
We currently have no vacancies in this area.
