Chief of Staff  

Starting date : as soon as possible

Duration : open-ended contract

Work percentage: 100%

Location : Lausanne

Deadline for applications : 31st March 2024

 

Tdh :

Terre des hommes (Tdh) is Switzerland’s largest child relief organisation. Since 1960, Tdh has been helping to build a better future for disadvantaged children and their communities through innovative and sustainable solutions. Present in 26 countries with an operational budget of over 100 million Swiss francs, Tdh works with local and international partners to develop and implement projects in the field which improve the daily lives of over four million children and their families in the fields of health, Access to Justice and Migration but also protection and emergency. This commitment is financed by individual and institutional support, with administrative costs kept to a minimum. 

 

Mission :

The Chief of Staff works directly with the Director General. S/he supports the Tdh’s leadership in achieving its strategic goals and objectives by providing strategic guidance, coordination, and oversight of key initiatives. S/he monitors the progress of transformational projects by ensuring appropriate change management. The Chief of Staff also acts as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, helping to shape and execute the Tdh’s vision and priorities.

 

Main responsibilities :

Direct support to the Director General (DG) and to the leadership team

·       Ensure the DG’s involvement in project or decision-making processes taking place at key times, where the DG’s input and authority are most needed

·       Advice, support and accompany the DG as well the leadership team in the definition of the multiyear strategic plan

·    In close collaboration with the DG, ensure the steering of the implementation of the foundation’s strategy and other institutional strategic projects, in particular of     transformational nature   

·       Upon request, represent the DG at internal meetings and in external events

·       Participate and contribute to the Directorate sessions as a strategic advisor

·       Participate and contribute to the work of the organisation’s commissions, 1) Ethics and 2) Political Positioning in Switzerland

·       Supervise the staff of the Chief of Staff Office

 

Organisational Performance 

·       Ensure the development and implementation of quality and accountability standards in the organization 

·       Ensure that the tools needed to steer the organization’s global strategy are in place and used

·       Ensure optimization of macro processes

·       Provide guidance and support in furthering the culture of Innovation within the organization

·       Ensure implementation of G&D policy and further development towards D&I

 

Transformation and Change Management

·       Define Change Management Framework and ensure adjustments to needs

·       Ensure appropriate engagement of managers in transformational initiatives

·       Monitor progress of institutional projects and report regularly to the Directorate

·       Supervise Tdh’s agenda on climate change (roadmap 2030, advocacy, support to the OP in programme change)

·       Contribute to foster the culture of innovation

 

Institutional partnerships and alliances /management responsibility

·       Maintain and develop the relationship with partners/ alliances by including internal stakeholders

·       Ensure appropriate and competent representation of Tdh in the different global networks (alliances) by involving internal stakeholders

 

Institutional Advocacy

·       Be an active member of the steering committee on Advocacy

·       Provide strategic advice on priority topics 

 

Communication (internal and external)

·       Advice and support the DG on internal and external communication on strategic topics

·       Prepare relevant information to allow the DG to manage internal and external communication in a well-informed manner

 

Profil :

·       University education or equivalent

·       10 years of experience in international leadership role in humanitarian and/or development assistance, both at headquarters and in the field

·       Proven experience in organizational transformation and risk management

·       Proven experience in project management

·       Excellent strategic thinking, analysis, synthesis and great capacity to simplify complexity

·       High standard on ethical and exemplary leadership, managerial excellence

·       Very strong team spirit, collaboration and ability to contribute to cohesion

·       Very strong capacity to work in a transversal and multidisciplinary manner

·       Ability to work in a multicultural context with a variety of people

·       Excellent interpersonal communication skills (active listening skills)

·       High performance in networking and representation

·       Excellent writing and representation skills in French and English

·       Fluency in German

·       Great flexibility, reactivity, adaptability, pragmatism

 

Tdh Global Code of Conduct and Risk Management Policies : 

·       Fully complies with Tdh’s Global Code of Conduct and systematically reports any breach to the Code through the whistleblowing procedure: raises awareness within the Foundation on abuse and violence and the rights deriving therefrom, respecting the rights and dignity of children, members of the communities and our own Staff

·       Commits to respecting Risk Management Policies including: Safeguarding Policies (Child Safeguarding Policy, Policy on the Protection against Sexual Exploitation and the Directive on Staff Misconduct at the Workplace), Safety and Security Policy and Anti-Fraud/Corruption and Prevention of the Financing of Criminal Activities Policies

·       Commits to reducing the risk of abuse and harm by developing a culture of open and informed leadership within the organization and in our work with children and the communities in which we intervene in. 

 

 We offer you an exciting and varied job that is both useful and meaningful, as part of a team that wants to make a difference for children in highly vulnerable situations.

 

Are you interested? Are you ready to take on this challenge?   

 

Procedure :

 

Please apply directly to our email address: [email protected]

With the name of the post in the subject line of the email.

Applications will only be processed if they are complete (CV + covering letter). Additional documents (diplomas, work certificates, etc.) will be requested at a later stage.

Shortlisted candidates will only be contacted as part of the selection process. Due to the large number of applications received, we are unfortunately unable to follow up all candidates personally. Thank you for your understanding.

If you have any questions, please consult the FAQ below the job offers.