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Human Security Division, Expertenpool 
 pd-ams-expertenpool@eda.admin.ch

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Types of mission and deployments

Members of the Swiss Expert Pool for Civilian Peacebuilding (SEP) are assigned to international missions, where they are deployed in the field. The duration of these missions can vary from a few weeks to up to three years. Typical assignments include:

Logo Eulex [© Eulex]

Experts on constitutional matters, federalism, justice and strengthening of the rule of law

Switzerland has a vested interest in encouraging the establishment effective state structures. To this end, it contributes as a Third State to missions such as EULEX, the European Union mission in Kosovo.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

Human rights and international humanitarian law experts

Human rights and international humanitarian law experts can be deployed to Swiss bilateral programmes or to international organisations, where they act in an advisory capacity.

[© Keystone]

United Nations associated experts (AssEx)

Individuals with little international professional experience have the possibility of working as an associate expert in UN programmes for between one and three years. The SEP is responsible for coordinating the recruitment procedure, as well as the relocation and funding of the successful applicants. The content of the assignment is determined by the UN alone.
Police, customs and border control experts

At the request of the UN, EU and OSCE, Switzerland can dispatch police and customs experts to international missions.

Election monitoring [© OSCE]

Election monitoring

A number of experts are trained specifically for electoral monitoring missions and made available to OSCE, the EU, the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Organisation internationale de la francophonie (OIF). Recruitment drives and training courses are held every three years.

Programm UNOV [© www.unov.org]

UN volunteer internship programme (UNOV internships)

Graduates who have no international professional experience can apply for a one-year unpaid internship in one of the UN’s Offices. The SEP is responsible for coordinating the recruitment procedure, as well as the relocation and funding of the successful applicants. The content of the assignment is determined by the UN alone.

Two types of appointment

As regards direct appointments with the SEP, Political Affairs Division IV of the FDFA selects vacancies in international organisations based on their thematic and geographical priority and recruits experts whose qualifications and experience match the job profile. The federal administration sends the chosen experts an employment contract as per the Ordinance on Personnel for Peacebuilding, the Strengthening of Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid, thereby confirming their SEP membership. The assignment is carried out by the SEP.
 
As regards direct appointments with international organisations, the SEP generally plays no part in the recruitment procedure. However, its website lists job opportunities with international organisations that are of relevance/interest to Switzerland and Swiss candidates. In such instances, applications should be sent directly to the given organisation. The SEP seeks to encourage applications from Swiss nationals. Candidates therefore have the possibility of notifying the SEP about their application.

Job profile

Besides expertise in the relevant areas, SEP candidates must satisfy the following basic requirements:

  • University qualifications
  • Professional experience
  • Intercultural skills
  • Language skills (French, German, English, etc.)
  • Team spirit
Vacancies

The SEP publishes vacancies on the following website: 
 Job opportunities with the SEP 

More information on job vacancies and international mission opportunities is available on the information portals opposite.