Chief Operating Officer International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism

Chief Operating Officer

The International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism seeks a Chief Operating Officer to be based at the Center’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The International Center of Excellence is dedicated to the study and practice of countering violent extremism, in all its forms and manifestations, through non-coercive means. The United Arab Emirates offered in September 2011 to found and host the Center as an autonomous but closely linked body of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF). The Center’s staff is comprised of direct hires and senior personnel seconded from foreign governments.

Responsibilities

The Chief Operating Officer serves as the day-to-day operational lead in the development and implementation of the Center’s strategic plans and policies. He or she reports to the CEO and may be called upon by the CEO to report to the International Steering Board.

The COO will inter alia institute a communications plan for expressing a powerful and clear image of the Center, its work and mission, and its relevance to the international community; quickly build working relationships with organizations in the public, private, and non-profit sectors; ensure that the Center actively monitors and adapts to changes in international counterterrorism policy; work closely with external stakeholders including senior Emirati officials, and policymakers from partnership governments and the GCTF; lead and motivate a dynamic team of local staff and secondees in a multicultural environment; and work with the Center’s team to ensure adoption of and adherence to appropriate values and the highest ethical standards in all areas of activity.

The Center welcomes qualified candidates from diverse professional backgrounds, including those in government, international organizations, nonprofit institutions, and academia.

Qualifications

· At least 18 years of professional experience

· At least 10 years of experience working on the Middle East, with preference given to those who have spent at least 5 years living and working in the region

· At least 8 years in a senior managerial role of a public, private, or non-profit institution

· Internationally recognized and respected authority on international security, with special reference to nature and consequences of countering violent extremism

· Ability to communicate in English at or near a native-speaker level; strong preference for advanced working knowledge of Arabic;

· Advanced degrees, with a proven publication record

How to Apply

To apply for this position, the following documentation must be provided in English: A one page covering letter that describes the motivation and qualifications of the candidate to assume the position; a curriculum vitae which must include a list of publications and no less than three references. Please send all documents to coecve@mofa.gov.ae.