Experts for the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit

Geneve Int; Bern; Vor Ort; CHF 100.000 - 140.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

The Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) invites a seasoned specialist to lead thematic strategy and strategic advocacy on farmer managed seed systems. You will represent the SHA in international negotiations and guide policy dialogue with partners and donors.

You will drive domestic and international policy influence, oversee FMSS projects, and ensure quality outputs while coordinating across country offices. Fluency in multiple languages and willingness to travel are required.

Qualifikationen

• 5+ years of relevant, hands-on experience in a similar role.
• Ability to synthesize complex data into actionable strategies.
• Experience advising cross-functional teams and leading policy projects.
• Advanced expertise in farmer managed seed systems.
• Strong communication in at least two languages; English essential.

Aufgaben

• Lead Thematic Strategy and position SWISSAID globally on FMSS.
• Represent SWISSAID in international negotiations and policy discussions.
• Drive advocacy on Swiss policies affecting Global South seed systems.
• Provide strategic guidance and technical input for FMSS projects.
• Ensure quality control and review of project outputs.
• Maintain knowledge exchange with UN, donors and CSOs.
• Support communications and media engagements, including German/French.

Kenntnisse

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Leadership

Policy advocacy

Cross-cultural communication

Project coordination

Tools

MS Office

Participatory process moderation

Jobbeschreibung

Experts for the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit

Site

Switzerland , Bern , Worldwide

Sector

Nonprofit/Community/Social Services/International Cooperation

Role

Other

Date of last update

2026-08-20

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Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC

What sets us apart

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) determines and coordinates Swiss foreign policy on behalf of the Federal Council, safeguards Switzerland's interests and promotes Swiss values.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is Switzerland's biggest centre of expertise for international cooperation. The SDC implements Switzerland's foreign policy in the areas of humanitarian aid, development cooperation and cooperation with Eastern Europe, in collaboration with other federal offices. It supports countries in combating poverty and overcoming global challenges, for example ensuring that disadvantaged communities have better access to education and healthcare or that environmental issues are addressed. The SDC prioritises fragile and conflict-affected countries.

Experts for the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit

Worldwide | 100-100%

This is how you can contribute

The SDC's Humanitarian Aid is an expression of Switzerland's solidarity with people in need. It focuses on emergency relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation of affected areas, and disaster risk reduction. In a spirit of neutrality, independence and impartiality, it places the concerned population at the centre of its efforts.

The SDC's Humanitarian Aid pursues the following thematic priorities:

• Protecting civilians;
• Water and sanitation;
• Gender-based violence;
• Food security and cash transfer programming.

The Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) is an integral part of the SDC's Humanitarian Aid. The SHA is a corps of around 600 specialists who are on call in times of need. SHA specialists are divided into ten expert groups according to their know-how and skills. This enables the unit to provide targeted and effective support in the priority areas of the SDC's Humanitarian Aid.

This makes you unique

• You are committed to protecting and upholding the lives and dignity of people affected by disasters in your capacity as a representative of Switzerland.
• You must be a Swiss citizen or hold a permanent residence permit (C permit).
• You hold a degree, certification, or specialized training of equal value.
• You demonstrate at least five years of professional experience, ideally including two years in international development cooperation.*
• You are reliable, proactive, flexible, and able to work independently and efficiently.
• You combine a natural flair for dealing with people with a high degree of intercultural sensitivity.
• You must have a very good knowledge of two official Swiss languages and, if possible, a basic understanding of a third one. Fluency in English is essential.
• You are resilient and physically fit, and available for several overseas postings of at least six months' duration.
• You hold a category B driving licence.

*For particularly sought-after profiles, the SDC's Humanitarian Aid Division also offers accompanied initial assignments abroad.

SHA actively promotes diversity and strives to increase the proportion of women, members of linguistic minorities and people from different cultural backgrounds. Applications from these groups that meet the general requirements are given special consideration in the recruitment process.

Further information is available on the website of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) on opportunities for working abroad in development cooperation and humanitarian aid.

In a nutshell

The Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) is the operational arm of the SDC's Humanitarian Aid. Its specialists, like you, are deployed to implement projects of the SDC or its partners like the United Nations (UN) before, during and after natural disasters, crises and conflicts to protect the lives, safety, dignity and rights of the people concerned.

• Working for Switzerland We are committed to the successful Swiss model and work for the public good.
• Embracing diversity Thanks to equal opportunities, we draw on our expertise and contribute different perspectives.
• Staying healthy at work We support and advise our employees in the area of physical and mental health.

Questions about the positions

SHA recruitment team

[phone]

View Details

Working hours (%): 80-100% / 100%

Type of contract: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)

Macro-area: Multiple

Area of work Definition: Political Affairs, Conflict and Peacekeeping

Area of work: Security and Safety / Security Risk Management

Type of organisation: Multilateral Organisations

Purpose of the assignment: Take on strategic guidance and technical quality assurance, as well as advocacy work on international and Swiss politics. Lead knowledge management processes within the organisation related to seed diversity, focusing on farmer-managed seed systems.

Terms of Reference:

• Lead Thematic Strategy: Position SWISSAID as a leading voice and trusted partner of global south organisations on Farmer Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) and their role in agroecological food system transformation.
• International Advocacy: Represent SWISSAID in global for a (e.g., ITPGRFA) and negotiations, contributing evidence and policy positions mainly in the role as observer.
• Domestic Policy Influence: Drive advocacy on Swiss policies affecting Global South seed systems (UPOV and free trade agreements) via government dialogue, parliamentary lobbying, and referendum campaigns with allies.
• Technical & Strategic Oversight: Provide strategic guidance and technical input for FMSS projects and advocacy strategies across country offices and partners.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure quality control and review of project applications, strategies, and policy-level outputs related to seed systems.
• Knowledge Management: Collect, process, and systematize lessons learned from different countries and maintain expert exchanges with UN, research, donors, and CSOs.
• Communications & Media: Support media engagement (primarily German/French), collaborate with SWISSAID's communications staff, and give interviews to amplify organisational positions.

Requirements

• Proven Experience:5+ years of relevant, hands-on experience in a similar role, with a verifiable track record of delivering measurable results (e.g., policy campaigns, networking building or project completion).
• Strategic & Analytical Thinking:Ability to synthesize complex data into actionable strategies, coupled with strong problem-solving skills to navigate ambiguity and make data-driven decisions.
• Leadership & Collaboration:Demonstrated success in advising cross-functional teams and leading policy projects, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and foster a collaborative work environment.
• Technical Proficiency:Advanced expertise in farmer managed seed systems, MS-office, participatory process moderation, with the ability to adapt quickly to new technologies.
• Communication & Adaptability:Good written and verbal communication skills in minimum 2 languages (English, Spanish, French) German is a plus combined with a high degree of emotional intelligence and resilience to manage change and competing priorities in a fast-paced and challenging setting.

Interview are planned in the first week of August.