Executive Officer or Special Consultant for the Center for Stabilisation Initiatives at the Institute for Strategy and War Studies, Defence Academy

Center for Stabilisation Initiatives (CFS) at the Institute for Strategy and War Studies (ISW) seeks an experienced colleague to manage the Defence Academy's implementation within the framework of the Peace and Stabilisation Fund's (FSF) Moldova program with a focus on Professional Military Education .

About us

The Defence Academy's (FAK) core task is to educate Danish officers and sergeants. We have about 500 staff – case officers, researchers, teachers, officers and many others, both civilian and military, in addition to about 550 cadets.

The Institute for Strategy and War Studies (ISW) is one of four institutes at the Defence Academy, and the institute constitutes the armed forces’ research and teaching unit within strategy, security policy, international security cooperation, stabilisation, war and conflict theory, military history and cultural understanding. The institute’s staff have either a military professional background or a civilian educational and research background at master’s or PhD level within the humanities or social sciences.

The Security Cooperation Section (CS) teaches, researches and develops projects related to Denmark’s military security cooperation. We teach at the officer schools, the Defence Language School and the Master in Military Studies. Through the Center for Stabilisation Initiatives (CFS) the section actively contributes to Denmark's stabilisation efforts through FSF – including West Africa, Iraq, Moldova and Ukraine, where we collaborate with local partner institutions on academic activities and capacity building. We are currently engaged in the Guinea-Bight/West Africa, Iraq/Syria, Ukraine and Moldova.

The position

As program manager for FSF’s Moldova program, you will plan and implement activities and coordinate collaboration with international partners. The work consists of:

• Continuously managing the cooperation with the Moldovan partner institution within the FSF program’s objectives, including the organization of conferences, seminars, workshops and courses
• Coordinate and facilitate the international cooperation around the partner institution
• Create and maintain relations with Moldovan and international partners
• Continuously develop the engagement’s content and framework in close dialogue with the partners
• Handle reporting to the Defence Command on your own initiative, including financial management

The position largely depends on the ability to oversee development opportunities and a holistic understanding of the various projects, just as inspiration and overlap to and from other of the centre’s stabilisation programs is an important part of the role. In addition, we expect that the right candidate can contribute to the development of the centre’s cross-disciplinary professionalism.

Your immediate supervisor is Section Chief David Vestenskov, and your closest professional advisor in relation to the content is the team leader for CFS. You will plan and carry out the work independently within the program’s framework and in close coordination with the partner institution. The position includes ongoing stays in Moldova on business trips throughout the employment period.

The position is a fixed-term project employment, which can last up to the end of 2028.

About you

We imagine that you have a relevant academic master’s degree and 2-4 years of professional experience with project implementation in international contexts. We expect that you have experience in translating partners’ needs into concrete activities, e.g., academic capacity building, and that you are familiar with stabilisation initiatives, security cooperation and PME institutions. It is a requirement that you are familiar with the Defence and its institutions.

Additionally, you can build networks in international environments, as the position requires close contact with stakeholders in the program and in NATO. Finally, you have experience at the intersection of civilian academics and military partners. It is a requirement that you are fluent in English – in both written and spoken form.

It would be advantageous if you have relevant experience from the Defence Academy, knowledge of Danish stabilisation efforts, FSF and Moldova and current security policy developments and a good understanding of international security policy. We emphasize that you are self-driven and flexible in relation to changes in the project area, and that you are a team player who can keep a cool head in pressured situations.

Terms of employment

Employment is in accordance with the then-current agreement between the Ministry of Finance and a number of academic associations for academics in the state (Academics Agreement).

Depending on your qualifications and competencies, there is the possibility for negotiation of allowances. The position is linked to an employer-financed pension scheme.

The workplace is at Svanemøllen Barracks in Copenhagen Ø.

As an employee under the Ministry of Defence’s area, you are subject to certain special conditions. You must, among other things, be security cleared and maintain the security clearance throughout the employment.

As an employee you are obliged to perform service outside the country’s borders, including at units in international operations with a view to participation in conflict prevention, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, humanitarian and other similar operations.

Contact and application

If you want to hear more about the position, you are welcome to contact David Vestenskov at [email protected] or by phone at 4131 9576.

If you have questions about salary and terms of employment, you are welcome to contact the Personnel Command, HR consultant Sofie Mikkelsen at [email protected] or at telephone 3071 3397.

The deadline for applications is 12 November 2026 and interviews are expected to be held shortly thereafter. The position is to be filled on 1 January 2027.

You apply for the position via the link, and we ask you to attach your application, CV and a copy of your educational certificates. Please note that attachments must be added in PDF format.

In the Defence Ministry’s organization we believe that diversity optimises task solving. Therefore we encourage all interested, regardless of background, to apply for the position.

The Defence Academy (FAK) contributes to the Defence’s task solving by delivering relevant and up-to-date education as well as research and advice to the Defence’s employees and authorities. In addition, FAK supports the group with course administration and guidance in pedagogy and digital learning forms.

FAK consists of service locations in Copenhagen, Varde, Slagelse, Karup and Frederikshavn and offers basic and continuing education, including sergeant and officer training, including the language officer training, The Military Academy Education, and Master in Military Studies. In addition, FAK offers a wide range of continuing education that helps Defence personnel and the reserves to solve their tasks effectively and professionally throughout their careers.

FAK conducts research and development within the three military core areas; military operations, military strategy and military leadership, as well as related areas such as war history, cultural understanding and military technology. FAK engages in collaborations with both Danish and international research and educational institutions and contributes to the development of NATO doctrines and research projects.

The knowledge production supports the education, but is also used and disseminated widely for the benefit of the Armed Forces, national and international partners, and society as a whole. Read more at fak.dk.