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.
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Headquarter team in Essen
Work at our headquarters in Essen and support the administration and strategic operational execution of our global projects.
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International Assignment Staff
Deploy your expertise directly in international projects and contribute to security sector reforms in conflict-affected regions.
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Open positions
Headquarter: Project manager
Headquarter
I. The GS-Foundation – about us
The GS-Foundation is a German non-profit organization dedicated to building effective, accountable and democratic institutions in the security sector in countries affected by instability or conflict. Our vision is to support our partners in ensuring their own national security and stability. Our work is based on the German government’s interdepartmental strategy to support security sector reform 2019. Our work is strongly focused on the security needs of all citizens and on gender equality.
Our project activities range from advising on national reforms and security strategies to training and equipping security forces and promoting dialog between security institutions and society.To strengthen our team, we are looking for a Project Manager (m/f/d) in Essen as soon as possible.
II. Key tasks and responsibilities:
- Project planning and development: creation of detailed project documents in collaboration with other departments, the respective project team and relevant stakeholders
- Project implementation – coordination and control of the planning and implementation of projects and the individual project steps required to achieve the project objectives.
- Coordinating, monitoring and supporting the project team in the implementation of project activities.
- Regular communication and coordination with internal and, if necessary, external stakeholders.
- Participation in required business trips
- Team leadership and coordination – close coordination with the management, the project management and the project team.
- Participation in regular team meetings with the management, the team in Essen and the project teams on site (virtual).
- Ensuring the implementation of GS-F guidelines at project level.
- Documentation of best practices and lessons learned for continuous improvement.
- Support with public relations work
III. You bring with you:
- You have already gained experience in international projects or are certified as a project manager or you have completed a relevant university degree (diploma or master’s degree) in a subject area (e.g. international relations, law, social, political or economic sciences or comparable subjects);
at least three years of professional experience in project work; - You have strong analytical skills, can work conceptually and demonstrate a high degree of initiative and resilience.
- We expect you to have strong organizational skills, flexibility and resilience, the ability to work in a team, cultural sensitivity and excellent communication skills;
- You will bring a high degree of personal responsibility, self-motivation, discretion and a sense of responsibility to support a young organization in its rapid development;
- Ideally, you have knowledge in the ield of civil crisis prevention, peacebuilding and/or security sector reform;
- You are a person with a high degree of fairness, respect and open-mindedness who can build trusting working relationships with colleagues from a wide range of disciplines;
- You have in-depth knowledge of Microsoft Of ice (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and common of ice communication and are pro icient in project management tools;
- You can demonstrate written and spoken English language skills at level C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR); further language certi icates are an advantage;
- You have written and spoken German at C1 level.
IV. We offer you:
- An exciting area of responsibility and a challenging and varied job in a German and international working environment with a flat hierarchical structure and short decision-making paths;
- an open and relaxed working atmosphere;
- flexible working;
- a performance-related salary;
- 30 days vacation;
- Public transport ticket;
- Further training opportunities;
- Exciting Business trips to our locations.
V. Application
We are committed to diversity in our organization and welcome applications from all talents, regardless of age, gender/gender identity, cultural and social background, ideology or identity. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if equally quali ied in accordance with the law.
Does this challenge appeal to you? Then we look forward to receiving your detailed application.
Your application will be considered with the following documents:
- Letter of motivation
- Meaningful curriculum vitae;
- Employment references or letters of reference
Please send your application documents in German by 13.06.2025 by e-mail to hr@gs-foundation.com.
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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.
