Mediation Support Program Officer in the 'Culture and Religion in Mediation' (CARIM) Program 80%-100%

ETH Zurich; Zürich; On-site; CHF 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Workplace in center of Zurich

Opportunities for training and applied

Research publication opportunities

Job summary

ETH Zurich's Center for Security Studies (CSS) invites applications for a (Senior) Program Officer in the CARIM programme. The role supports the Mediation and Peace Team in implementing activities, conducting applied research, and delivering training on negotiation and mediation.

Qualified candidates hold an MA in social sciences or humanities and at least three years’ relevant experience in mediation, peace processes, or applied research.

Qualifications

• MA degree in social sciences or humanities (e.g. peace and conflict studies, political science, sociology, anthropology, environment).
• Minimum of three years' work experience related to mediation/mediation support, project management or (applied) research in the peace and conflict field.
• Experience in conflict-affected contexts and concrete conflict transformation work.
• Experience writing, publishing, and editing applied research.
• Experience working in international organizations, NGOs or think tanks related to mediation and mediation support.
• Experience working across intercultural narratives in conflict and mediation.
• Curious, cooperative, independent, analytically strong, organized and interpersonal.
• Willingness to travel, including to conflict-affected contexts.
• Excellent proficiency in English; at least one Swiss national language is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support and, where appropriate, lead CARIM activities implementation.
• Conduct knowledge management and applied research related to mediation in peace processes.
• Design and deliver training programmes on negotiation, mediation, and capacity-building activities.
• Provide direct support to conflict analysis, dialogue and mediation processes.
• Contribute to training and development of future mediators and peace practitioners.
• Focus on narratives and legal traditions shaping conflict dynamics and mediation.
• Coordinate, manage tasks and help develop CARIM activities and networks.

Skills

Mediation

Project management

Applied research

Inter-cultural skills

English proficiency

Education

MA degree in social sciences or humanities

Job description

Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich is a center of competence for Swiss and international security policy. It offers security policy expertise in research, teaching, and consultancy.

Project background

The Think Tank of the CSS serves as a link between researchers and practitioners in the field of security policy and as a point of contact and reference for the wider public. The Think Tank's Mediation and Peace Section supports efforts to negotiate, mediate and transform violent political conflicts by conducting research, providing training and directly supporting those engaged in peace practice and conflict transformation processes. We are seeking someone to work as a (Senior) Program Officer in our "Culture and Religion in Mediation" Program (CARIM), a joint initiative between the CSS ETH Zurich and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). CARIM seeks to strengthen Swiss and international mediation efforts by effectively engaging with the different narratives, legal traditions or worldviews that shape conflict and the negotiation of political solutions.

Job description

The successful candidate will join the Mediation and Peace Team and contribute to the implementation and further development of the CARIM Programme. The position will involve the following responsibilities:

• Supporting and, where appropriate, leading the implementation of CARIM activities
• Conducting knowledge management and applied research related to mediation in peace processes
• Designing and delivering training programmes on negotiation, mediation, and related capacity-building activities
• Providing direct support to conflict analysis, dialogue, negotiation, and mediation processes in diverse conflict contexts
• Contributing to the training and development of future mediators, peace practitioners, and conflict parties, both within established programmes (such as Peace Mediation and MAS Mediation) and through courses tailored to specific contexts and needs
• Focusing in particular on the role of narratives and legal traditions in shaping conflict dynamics, negotiations, and mediation processes
• Undertaking coordination, organisational, and programme management tasks related to the CARIM Programme
• Contributing to the further development of the Programme's activities, networks, and knowledge base at the intersection of research and practice

Profile

• You have a relevant MA degree in social sciences or humanities (e.g. peace and conflict studies, political science, sociology, anthropology, environment)
• A minimum of three years' work experience related to mediation/mediation support, project management or (applied) research in the peace and conflict field
• Experience working and living in a conflict-affected context, as well as concrete conflict transformation work
• Experience writing, publishing, and editing applied research
• Work experience in international organizations, NGOs or think tanks related to the topic of mediation and mediation support
• Experience working in inter-cultural dimensions and narratives in conflict and mediation
• You are a curious, cooperative, independent personality with strong analytical, organizational and interpersonal skills
• You approach tasks proactively and are happy working independently and as part of a team
• You should be willing to travel, including to conflict-affected contexts
• The CSS is a multi-lingual working environment, excellent proficiency in English is required
• At least one Swiss national language is a significant plus
• Other language skills are beneficial

We offer

• We offer the opportunity to apply and develop mediation support and research skills, within the environment of a university-based think tank working on security and peace issues.
• The term for the appointment is for two years, with the option of extension if there is funding and if there is mutual agreement to continue the cooperation.
• We offer a workplace in the center of Zurich with attractive working conditions. Further training and the ability to conduct applied research, publish the results in different formats and provide your own process support related to peace mediation are part of the career development and are central elements of our personnel policy.

We value diversity and sustainability

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected.

Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.

Sustainability is a core value for us - we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So are we.

Application deadline is 31 October 2026.

Further information about us can be found on our website.

For questions about the position, please contact Emanuel Schäublin ([e-mail] (no applications).

We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.