Consultancy: Global Military Advisor

About CIVIC 

Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) Center is an international nonprofit and nongovernmental organization with offices around the world working to improve protection for civilians in conflict zones. Our mission is to support communities affected by conflict in their quest for protection and strengthen the resolve and capacity of armed actors and relevant institutions to prevent and respond to civilian harm. We are advocates who believe that no civilian caught in conflict should be ignored, and advisors who provide practical solutions to preventing and responding to civilian harm. Learn more at   

About the Position

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES: Consultant on CIVIC armed actor engagement

LOCATION: Remote

DURATION: 60 days

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: Excellent English & French or Arabic.

Armed actors, especially state militaries, are a key target audience for CIVIC's protection work. CIVIC military advisors engage them in a wide variety of conflict contexts to instill a PoC mindset and ethos as well as provide concrete practical approaches and tools to better prevent, mitigate and respond to harm.

When doing in a variety of conflict contexts, such as Ukraine, Yemen, the Sahel, Somalia, or Nigeria CIVIC uses different training modules, including practical scenario-based exercises and tactical decision games. This consultancy project overall aims at increasing the quality and coherent use of these training and advocacy efforts.

Objectives

1. Familiarization with CIVIC's POC concepts and assessment of CIVIC's core generic training material and modules from a military operational perspective as well as a military-pedagogical perspective.

2. In-depth engagement with CIVIC's 'field'-based military advisors (and other relevant 'field' staff) to assess CIVIC's current armed engagement approaches on the ground, including the use of different lines of argument (legal, moral, strategic) to change armed actor behavior.

3. In-depth engagement with CIVIC's 'field'-based military advisors to jointly assess their current modules and vignettes used, including their contextualized application of CIVIC's core generic modules in their respective contexts.

4. Based on the above, identify areas of common approach and discrepancies and work directly on adapting/updating CIVIC training material based on previous assessment and priority 'field' needs.

Timeline

Between March and May 2026, and under the supervision of CIVIC's Protection of Civilians Director, the consultant will closely work with CIVIC's military advisors covering Ukraine, East Africa, the Sahel and Yemen, as well as other relevant HQ and 'field staff' towards assessing CIVIC's current armed actor engagement approaches and tools.

Key Responsibilities 

• Meet regularly with PoC Div Director and other senior staff overseeing staff armed actor engagement activities.
• Conduct regular one-on-one calls (remote) with 'field' military advisors to better understand their progress, challenges, and provide advisory support.
• In close collaboration with relevant CIVIC staff, and based on most urgent priorities by 'field'-based military advisors, start updating CIVIC training materials accordingly.
  
• Draft an assessment report (including specific recommendations) based on this ToR and the specific objectives 1-3 (see above) on what works and where are challenges and gaps, including concrete recommendations of how to get to a higher standard in our technical offerings. Organize an internal presentation to relevant staff presenting the findings of the report, including recommendations.
• At the beginning of the consultancy, produce a workplan and a timeline for expected deliverables.

Requirements 

• Past operational and pedagogical military experience as a senior officer, Major to Brig. General levels (or equivalent) 
  
• Experience working in an active conflict zone and engaging with armed actors in active combat
  
• Experience training armed actors, preferably while serving in a military, specifically relating to protection of civilians and/or International Humanitarian law; additional experience working with police forces is also highly desired
  
• Prior experience working for an INGO/IO desired
  
• Understanding of and commitment to humanitarian principles
  
• Integrity, flexibility, cultural awareness, and sensitivity
  
• Computer literacy including proficiency with Microsoft Office, Dropbox, and Slack
  
• Fluency in written and spoken English; with Arabic and/or French fluency
  
• Ability to write high-quality narratives and qualitative reports as well as public-facing products (op-eds, press releases)
  
• Demonstrated experience networking with government officials
  
• Strong professional network and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to develop collaborative relationships, especially in a multi-component project
  
• Superior analytic, communication, and supervisory skills, including training and facilitation skills and demonstrated experience working with multicultural teams
  

Additional Details 

Please submit an Expression of Interest of not more than 3 pages indicating how you will approach this assignment. A breakdown of your indicative fees should be included in your Expression of Interest. Please refer to relevant experience in delivering assignments of a similar nature. Please also include a detailed CV of not more than 3 pages with the contact details of 3 recent referees. Please submit your proposal by February 21st 2026.

Due to the high volume of applications, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

CIVIC seeks to recruit, develop, and retain top talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences in the belief that this is critical to achieving our goals. We strongly encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Note to Recruiters and Placement Agencies: CIVIC does not accept unsolicited agency resumes and does not pay placement fees for candidates submitted by agencies other than its approved partners.

Location

Brussels, Brussels (Remote)

Department

Programs

Employment Type

Full-Time

Compensation

€ 100,000 per year