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Chief of Staff to the General Secretary, LWF  Place of assignment: Geneva, SwitzerlandStarting date: 1 September 2026Contract period: initial contract of 5 years, renewable onceWork time: 100 %Average travel days per year: 7 to 19 days per yearClosing dates for applications: 6 April 2026  Organizational ContextThe Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a communion of 154 churches in 99 countries that collaborate on matters of theology, Christian unity, holistic mission, humanitarian and development aid. The Communion Office (CO) is the headquarters of the LWF.The Office of the General Secretary (OGS) in the CO is responsible for managing and nurturing relationships and ensuring the smooth running of the Communion Office as it fulfils the Strategy of the LWF. It also takes responsibility for the development of the LWF strategy and for overall planning, coordination, and support.  PurposeThe OGS has a dual mandate: RelationshipsNurturing communion relationships with and among LWF member churches;Promoting Christian unity and ecumenical relations through dialogue and shared witness;Promoting strategic international partnerships.  Coordination and supportCoordinating development  of the LWF strategy as well as development of annual workplans; coordinating governance processes;Ensuring robust financial, human resources, communication, and IT systems and work; upholding institutional integrity through compliance, overall policies and accountability mechanisms; maintaining the institutional memory and archives.Reporting directly to the General Secretary (GS), the Chief of Staff (CS) operates with delegated authority to support the GS in focusing on high-level strategic priorities, including long-term financial sustainability and strategic financial development, organizational culture and strategic communication, while ensuring the efficient day to day functioning of the OGS.Serving as a trusted advisor and integrator, the CS leads and coordinates the planning, development and implementation of central processes, platforms and services across core support functions (communication, finance, human resources, PMER, information technology, support to governing bodies, office management).Working closely with the Head of Finance, the CS is responsible for the overall presentation of LWF budget to governance and funding partners, and for the development of financial strategy, tools and systems that support organizational effectiveness and sustainability.The CS supports the General Secretary in working with governance. S/he maintains close relations with funding partners and key external stakeholders.As a team leader, the CS fosters collaboration, coherence, and professional growth, ensuring that program planning aligns with the LWF strategy and that central support functions deliver high quality services.The CS is a member of the LWF Communion Office Leadership Team (COLT).  Required Qualifications·         University degree in management, public administration, finance, organizational leadership or equivalent qualification.·         Expertise in strategic planning, finance and budgeting.·         High proficiency in office productivity tools, digital collaboration platforms, and remote work tools.·         Broad knowledge and understanding of the LWF, its governance structures, member churches, related agencies, and a commitment to the Lutheran faith tradition.·         Fluency in English. Working knowledge of German, French, or Spanish is an asset.·         A member church endorsement is required for this position.  Additional Study and Experience·         Extensive and successful senior-level leadership experience (7+ years) involving overall planning, management and change management, preferably in a church or church related organization.·         Proven ability to navigate complex intercultural environments and foster collaborative leadership. LWF Core Skills Analytical thinking - Level expertInitiative – Level advancedLeadership - Level expertAchieving results - Level expertAccountability - Level expertWorking effectively with others - Level expert Required Skills People management - Level advancedFacilitation / Negotiation - Level expertFinance management - Level advancedCommunication - Level advancedStakeholder management - Level expertProgram management - Level advancedChange management- Level expert    Position Environment and Dimensions The CO in Geneva has around 60 staff. There are 23 staff in the OGS (18 in Geneva), of whom 15 are in the Coordination and Support units reporting to the Chief of Staff.The global total budget of the LWF was more than EUR 130 million in 2026.The CO has multiple stakeholders and works with multiple currencies.Being at the heart of the organizational functioning, the incumbent is instrumental in liaising with the General Secretary and other members of the leadership team, governance and key organization-related stakeholders and donors.The CS is a voting member of the Communion Office Leadership Team (COLT), a non-voting member of the Endowment Fund Board. S-he is also the COLT representative in the LWF Finance Committee together with the Head of Finance who is a member of extended leadership team. Internally, mainly interacts with the General Secretary, the Directors and COLT members, and OGS Coordination and Support staff. Externally, mainly interacts with LWF governing bodies, member churches, donors and related agencies, auditors, banks, landlord of Octagon, legal advisers, State authorities and other LWF service providers.   Main duties Strategic support to the General SecretaryEnsure alignment between strategic direction and internal implementation by echoing and reinforcing the priorities set by the General Secretary across the organization;Ensure effective internal communication across departments and teams, supporting clarity, transparency, and shared direction;Support strategic foresight by helping to identify long-term trends and shifts, as well as organizational dynamics, that may impact the Communion Office or wider LWF context;Provide together with other members of the Communion Office Leadership Team strategic counsel to the General Secretary on institutional priorities, governance, and organizational dynamics. Strategic and operational leadershipCoordinate core central functions, finance, human resources, communication, IT, planning and monitoring, governance support, and office management (including archives) to ensure coherence, quality, and alignment with the LWF Strategy;Ensure that systems, policies, and services are responsive to the needs of the Communion Office, support excellence in delivery and ensure the integrity of LWF operations;Promote stewardship, subsidiarity, and appropriate delegation in operational management and resource use;Oversee institutional risk management frameworks and coordinate internal preparedness and response. GovernanceSupport the General Secretary in preparing and delivering governance processes, including Council, Executive Committee, Finance Committee, and the Endowment Fund.Offer support for the preparation of documentation, reports, and financial briefings for governance bodies, ensuring consistency, quality, and strategic clarity.Build effective working relationships with key governance actors. Finance and Stakeholder ManagementSupport efforts to secure sustainable, diversified funding for the LWF by overseeing organizational budgeting, fundraising, financial systems and reporting;Maintain and strengthen strategic relationships with key stakeholders in member churches, related organizations, and funding partners. Quality Assurance and AccountabilityEnsure that compliance frameworks, internal controls, and legal obligations are upheld across all central functions;Oversee compliance and implementation of the LWF Staff Code of Conduct and related organizational policies;Lead the development and maintenance of institutional tools and platforms for strategic planning, reporting, and risk management;Ensure timely and high-quality submission of reports and audits in collaboration with PMER and finance team. People and Team ManagementSupervise a team of senior team leaders and ensure collaborative coordination across units;Foster a healthy, inclusive, and mission-driven work environment grounded in mutual accountability and professional growth;Lead change management processes, guiding staff through institutional transitions and ensuring continuity of purpose.   Special duties: Any other duties may be assigned by the General Secretary.  Major challenges: Working in a rapidly changing global context, the Chief of Staff must balance strategic focus with operational agility. Adapting to decentralized work, funding shifts, and evolving demands, the position holder must foster resilience, shared accountability, and a strong institutional core. The Communion Office is an intercultural environment which requires high sensitivity from the CS when dealing with cultural differences.  To apply for this position, please click on the following link: https://lutheranworld.hire.trakstar.com/jobs/fk0zu6g?cjb_hash=O_oTVE10&apply_now=true

Director for World Service, LWF  Place of assignment: Geneva, SwitzerlandStarting date: ideally January 2027Contract period: initial contract of 5 years, renewable onceWork time: 100 %Average travel days per year: more than 20 daysClosing dates for applications: 6 April 2026  Organizational ContextThe Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a communion of churches living and working together for just, peaceful, and reconciled world. The Communion Office (CO) is the headquarters of the LWF.The Department for World Service (DWS), externally referred to as LWF World Service (WS) is the humanitarian and diaconal arm of the LWF, responsible for carrying out diaconal response to humanitarian emergencies and human needs on behalf of the LWF.LWF World Service is one of the largest faith-based humanitarian actors in the world, serving more than 2 million people annually through its country programs and emergency operations. It has more than 6000 staff worldwide and has an annual budget of more than 120 million EUR.  PurposeIn pursuance of its responsibility and based on its strategy, LWF World Service:·         operates together with and on behalf of the LWF member churches;·         provides support to refugees, returnees, internally displaced people, their host communities and communities at risk, emphasizing climate and resilient livelihoods, quality services, protection and social cohesion;·         establishes and runs country programs and emergency operations;·         engages in cooperation and partnership with governmental and non-governmental organizations, relevant United Nations agencies and other structures involved in humanitarian and development programs as they link to the WS mandate and represents LWF in the ACT Alliance. The purpose of the position is to effectively lead, direct and oversee the activities of World Service and its country programs and emergency operations. The director leads the WS management team, which also includes the Head of International Programs and the Head of World Service Finance and Support Functions, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and operational excellence across the structures of World Service. The director heads the LWF Crisis Management Team. The director is a member of the LWF Communion Office Leadership Team (COLT).  Required Qualifications·         University degree or equivalent in development studies, economics, social studies.·         Long-term and extensive international experience in senior management functions in humanitarian aid and development, preferably in a church-related, ecumenical or diaconal organization.·         Broad understanding of concepts of humanitarian aid and development, including accountability mechanisms, programming and finance.·         Broad knowledge and understanding of LWF member churches, related agencies, the ecumenical environment, and an appreciation for the Lutheran faith tradition. ·         Fluency in English, working knowledge of German, French or Spanish is an asset.·         A member church endorsement is required for this position.  Additional Study and Experience·         Highly developed leadership skills, visionary, empowering style of leadership.·         Experience and understanding of crisis management.·         Confident networker with the ability to read complex political situations.·         Strong representational skills including communication and negotiation skills.·         Strong experience and skills in people management and development together with proven ability in cross cultural management.·         Good financial management experience (including budget and enforcement of financial controls) and ability to lead complex processes.·         Good computer literacy.·         Knowledge and experience of cooperation with UN, governmental and international development agencies in the field of humanitarian aid, refugee / IDP assistance, rights based programming and sustainable development, including collaboration with other faith-based actors.   LWF Core Skills Analytical thinking – Level resourceInitiative - Level resourceLeadership - Level resourceAchieving results - Level resourceAccountability - Level resourceWorking effectively with others - Level resource Required Skills Communication - Level advancedNetworking - Level resourceFacilitation / Negotiation / Diplomacy - Level advancedAdvocacy / Influence - Level advancedStrategic intelligence - Level resourcePeople Management - Level resourceResource management – Level advanced    Position Environment and Dimensions The humanitarian and development sector is undergoing unprecedented change and turbulent times, where needs are growing globally and available resources are in a sharp decline. The director is required to be able to navigate the sector and provide vision, stable and strategic leadership and be able to seek alliances, collaboration and effective partnerships with a wide range of actors.Internally, interacts and relates with the WS Management Team, teams in World Service, and Country Representatives. In the broader LWF, interacts with the Communion office Leadership Team, the Department for Theology, Mission and Justice, the Action for Justice advocacy team, Regional Secretaries of the LWF and the Office of the General Secretary. Relates closely with LWF Governance structures, especially the Council and its Committee for World Service, and the Executive Committee.Externally, interacts and relates with member churches, related organisations, ecumenical organizations, the ACT Alliance and its member organisations, Caritas Internationalis, UN organisations, institutional donors, INGOs, the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response (SCHR), and other LWF stakeholders.  Main duties Leadership and strategic visionProvides overall strategic leadership for World Service;Ensures that the World Service Global Strategy is implemented through the structures and systems created to guide the ecentralize, and in line with the LWF Strategy and the mandate of WS as stated in the LWF Constitution and bylaws;Engages in relevant policy discussions and developments in humanitarian and development aid, bringing LWF positions into the discussions globally. Managing World Service operations globallyEnsures that systems and structures are in place to achieve quality programmes and timely response within the scope of its mandate;Leads the World Service Management Team in the day-to-day management of operations in the country programmes and emergency operations;Ensures coordination and collaboration among the teams in World Service to ensure key processes and strategic areas for development are implemented globally;Fosters close collaboration with Action for Justice in Rights Based programming and advocacy. Finance and Risk managementMaintains a global understanding of all the elements of finance management within World Service;Creates an environment where financial risk management is addressed on a regular basis and decisions regarding necessary adjustments, support, mitigation or investment are taken in a timely manner. Partnership and relations managementRepresents LWF and World Service in interactions with all the partners and stakeholders above, together with others in WS;Engages with donors and partners to explore new partnerships and innovative approaches to collaboration;Works with the Department of Theology, Mission and Justice to build member church capacity in emergency response globally;Is the ex-officio member of the ACT Governing board for LWF;Participates in the SCHR Principals' group. Team Leadership and People managementLeads, manages and develops team cohesion across the structures of World Service globally, paying particular attention to the highly ecentralized nature of the organization;Fosters empowering, enabling and transparent decision making and delegation to ensure the smooth functioning of the team;Ensures that LWF values are strengthened and staff roles and collaboration structures are strengthened at all levels. AccountabilityEnsures zero tolerance for breaches of the LWF Code of Conduct, including sexual exploitation and abuse, and fraud and corruption;Ensures that complaints handling mechanisms remain adequately resourced, strong and functioning, and act as the chair of the Complaints Handling Committee at the Geneva level;Ensures that staff are regularly trained and updated on all elements relating to complaints handling. Crisis managementHeads the Crisis Management Team, and functions as the Crisis Manager for LWF, as per the LWF Crisis Management Protocol;Ensures policies and procedures are up to date and followed in cases where crisis management is required. Communion Office Leadership Team (COLT)Serves as a full member of the LWF Communion Office Leadership Team, participating in strategic and managerial decision making.  Special duties: Performs all other related duties as requested by the General Secretary.  Major challenges: Leading the highly decentralised World Service in a rapidly changing global environment faced with escalating violent conflict, resource constraints, dangerous working environments and daily operational challenges, while maintaining staff morale, safety and security, stability and clarity of purpose. Decision making in situations where information is not always complete. Working in a complex network of stakeholders, partners and funders to grow collaboration and partnerships enabling quality response globally to achieve the mission, vision and strategic objectives of World Service. To apply for this position, please click on the following link: https://lutheranworld.hire.trakstar.com/jobs/fk0zu6v?cjb_hash=O_RkpI20&apply_now=true