[citation needed] Alan Doss began his UN career in 1966 in Kenya working for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the first of several assignments in Africa.

In late 2000, Doss joined the UN peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone, (UNAMSIL), as Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General while serving concurrently as United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, His appointment, following on the recommendations of the Brahimi Panel on UN peace operations in late 2000, was aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of such operations through better co-ordination of UN peace keeping, humanitarian and development activities in country.

During this period he oversaw the reintegration of war affected populations, UN support for the disarmament program, the restoration of state authority, governance reform and the national recovery programme.

In 2004 Doss became the Principal Deputy UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Ivory Coast, where he coordinated the work of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission ONUCI in the areas of human rights, rule of law, civilian police and management.

Following his retirement from the United Nations in 2010, Doss joined the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) as a Visiting and then Associate Fellow where he lectured and published on peacekeeping, peace building and leadership.

In October 2011, Alan Doss was appointed by Kofi Annan as Senior Political Advisor to set up a peace and security unit at his Foundation based in Geneva.

The Foundation is an independent, non profit organisation that works to promote better global governance and strengthen the capacities of people and countries to achieve a fairer, more peaceful and resilient world.