Associate Director, Humanitarian Affairs and Chief of Staff

Role and Responsibilities

As one of the first members of the team, this position calls for a builder mindset where having a “get things done” approach is critical. You will play a crucial role in managing and enhancing stakeholder relationships across the humanitarian and donor sectors, working directly with the Board of Directors in a small but growing team. This position combines strategic oversight and operational execution, ideal for a driven individual eager to make a real-world impact in humanitarian efforts, while embracing fluid responsibilities and seeking to develop their professional skills within a dynamic team environment.

You will be responsible for the following duties:

Stakeholder engagement & partnerships

• Define and execute stakeholder engagement plans under the guidance of the Board of Directors
• Help maintain and strengthen relationships with humanitarian organizations, government agencies, and local relief bodies to facilitate the donation of supplies (food and medicines) for existing and future initiatives
• Support Directors in implementing fundraising strategies to identify and engage impact-focused donors, including preparing engagement materials and participating in discussions
• Co-lead the negotiation process, alongside the Board of Directors, to ensure appropriate operational documentation is in place, including service, technical and partnership agreements; ensure parameters and reporting needs are captured to align with the Foundation’s mission and strategic objectives, while also adhering to international humanitarian best practices
• Align the Foundation’s humanitarian efforts with the priorities of the broader ecosystem and identify areas where the Foundation can have the most significant impact

Reporting excellence

• Establish and maintain a robust framework for monitoring and evaluating the impact of the Foundation’s humanitarian efforts, ensuring data is collected in a timely and systematic manner
• Oversee the implementation of effective data management systems to measure progress of Foundation’s initiatives, identify areas for improvement, and ensure transparency and accountability in the initiatives

Foundation development

• Support transversal functions needed for ongoing development and scaling of the Foundation (e.g., external communications, administration, etc.)
• Contribute to the recruitment and onboarding processes of new team members
• Define and refine internal processes and tools to enhance operational efficiency across the Foundation

Internal coordination

• Donor relations team: coordinate with the Associate Director of Donor Relations to ensure timely reporting on impact measures
• Financial Controller: ensure ethical handling of sensitive information and compliance with international standards

Skills and Requirements

Required

• Exceptional organizational and coordination skills, with attention to detail and proven ability to maintain oversight on multiple initiatives. Project management experience is a strong asset
• A bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Global Affairs, Public Administration, Political Science, Supply Chain Management, Commerce, or a related field
• Experience in humanitarian resource mobilization methods and systems, including coordination mechanisms among different actors in humanitarian ecosystem and donor engagement
• Experience with monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in a humanitarian context including collating and assessing impact measurements and donor reporting within non-profit or foundation settings
• Experience in humanitarian sector, in an operational role and/or strategic partnership role with a leading humanitarian organization (e.g., UN agency, NGO, RCRC movement) seen as a strong asset
• Exceptional communication and relationship building skills with demonstrated ability to establish strong collaborations that drive impactful results in humanitarian and political contexts
• Data-driven decision-making skills to inform strategy, assess impact, and refine approaches
• Business level fluency in English; good command of another language strongly appreciated (French, Arabic or Hebrew in particular)
• Computer skills including a good command of the Microsoft 365 suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Authorized to work in Switzerland (Swiss, EU/EFTA nationality or hold a valid work permit); other nationalities can be considered a remote position, provided that they do not require a visa or permit for short-term business visits in Switzerland

Desired

• Direct work experience with the Gaza context and knowledge of the region
• Cultural sensitivity to navigate diverse humanitarian contexts
• Adaptability in adjusting strategies based on real-time realities and the ability to thrive within uncertain contexts
• An advanced degree in a related field

Job Conditions

• Start date: Targeted for October 2024, to be discussed jointly
• Duration: 6 months, with possibility to extend
• Location: Geneva, Switzerland; remote acceptable if willing to travel to Geneva frequently (approx. once per month)
• Percentage: 100%
• Travel required: Frequent international travel required (particularly in Europe, North America, and Middle East) on short notice

How to apply

Please submit your application in English to [email protected] with:

• CV
• Motivational letter (1 page max)