Quaker United Nations Office is looking for a Programme Assistant, Human Rights and Refugees

Position title: Programme Assistant, Human Rights and Refugees

Organisation: Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO)

Location: Genève

Salary: CHF 4262 - CHF 4262 / month

Contract type: Fixed term contract / CDD

Application ends: 08/05/2026

Job Description

Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO)

Description

DURATION: 31 August 2026 to 30 August 2027

LOCATION: Geneva, Switzerland

This junior professional role is for a person with an interest in international affairs and the United Nations and an alignment with Quaker values. Working primarily as an assistant to the Human Rights and Refugees Representative, the Programme Assistant will gain experience of how the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) works through the United Nations for the promotion and protection of human rights for all, based on our belief in the inherent worth of every individual.

Background

In Geneva and New York, QUNO brings Quaker peace and justice concerns to international processes through its programmes (human rights and refugees; peace and disarmament; human impacts of climate change; and sustainable and just economic systems).

Our Human Rights and Refugees programme raises concerns of marginalized groups, so they are better understood and lead to stronger international standards. Frontline organizations can use these strengthened standards as a tool to limit suffering, improve lives and challenge root causes of injustice. We actively seek to improve anti- racist and participatory approaches in our own work. Our current priorities are human rights in the context of migration, and conscientious objection to military service, and we are exploring more active work on strengthening the human rights system.

Our style of work focusses on relationship building, dialogue and partnership, including through:

• raising awareness and knowledge on our priorities, for example by writing briefing papers and making oral statements in UN bodies;
• providing expert technical advice, ideas and strategizing with colleagues and contacts in civil society, diplomatic missions and the UN system;
• a quiet diplomacy approach creating space for dialogue;
• connecting with and convening formal and informal networks of other non-governmental organisations.

This role is an opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge and experience of Quaker international work through substantive work on the Human Rights and Refugees Programme and through linkages with other QUNO programmes and supporting all QUNO staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Programme Assistant’s work varies depending on their competencies and the programme’s priorities and opportunities available over the year. The post comprises three sets of responsibilities as follows:

1) Programme tasks

Assisting:

• the Representative as required with all aspects of the Human Rights and Refugees programme’s work, and taking on progressive responsibility by leading on at least one area of work within that, such as project managing an event or preparing a publication;
• with organising, attending and reporting on meetings and events in person and online (e.g., giving presentations and representing QUNO where appropriate at UN, NGO and other events and supporting formal and informal NGO networks);
• with researching and writing/delivering materials as required, e.g. written or oral QUNO submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights or Human Rights Council; internal notes and reports; content and updating QUNO’s website and social media channels, responding to enquiries;
• all QUNO programmes to engage with human rights mechanisms.

2) Summer School:

Jointly leading organization, logistics, programme planning and delivery of QUNO’s Quaker UN Summer School.

3) Additional Administrative and Support Tasks:

Assisting with:

• lunches and other events at Quaker House or online, including technical support, catering and clearing up;
• routine admin duties including minute taking, filing, post, photocopying, maintenance of QUNO’s contacts database and other outreach tasks;
• updating QUNO’s website and social media channels;
• arranging travel and logistics for the Human Rights and Refugees Representative and visiting partners;
• fundraising research, grant proposals and report writing;
• contributing to QUNO culture and community and other tasks as required at Quaker House.

Whilst the work focuses on the UN and other international organizations in Geneva, much day-to-day work is administrative and in the Quaker UN Office. QUNO is a small team and everyone contributes to the work of all programmes, including exploring connections between them.

What we are looking for:

We are looking for someone who can contribute actively to QUNO’s administrative and programme work. Commitment to our shared values, willingness to learn, and analytical and writing skills are more important than specialist or academic knowledge. Please use these criteria to structure your personal statement on the application form.

Qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience:

Essential:

• understanding of Quaker values and sympathy with a Quaker approach;
• an active interest in international affairs and the UN’s work including human rights, demonstrated through relevant study, work, volunteering or other activities;
• undergraduate degree or equivalent;
• strong research and analysis skills, and verbal and written communication skills in English (demonstrated through, e.g., essays, briefing papers, advocacy materials, articles, content for social media/blogs, presentations, putting your ideas across in meetings, building relationships with people);
• ability to work as part of a small team, get on well with all kinds of people, share common tasks and ask for help when needed.

Not essential but will be an advantage:

• further relevant study beyond undergraduate level;
• work, volunteering or other activity in relation to one or more of the programme’s areas of focus;
• knowledge of French and/or another UN language;
• lived experience of any of the issues the programme covers;
• experience of any of the following:
• proof reading/copy editing, publication layout, preparing and posting social media content or website updates using Wordpress;
• donor research and funding proposals;
• voluntary or paid work in catering and/or in an office environment.

Eligibility to Work in Switzerland

Due to Swiss immigration law, we are only able to employ Programme Assistants who:

1. are nationals of:

• Switzerland, or an EU or EFTA state, or
• for an exceptional candidate from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Indonesia, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, San Marino, South Africa, Tunisia, Ukraine, or USA,3 we may be able to assist you to apply for the relevant visa; or

2. already have legal permission to work in Switzerland for the duration of the contract.

Regrettably, we cannot accept applications from candidates who do not fulfil the above requirements, including those have only UK nationality.

Job Overview

• Application: [email protected]
• Date Posted: 26/03/2026
• Location: Genève
• Offered Salary: CHF 4262 - CHF 4262 / month
• Experience: 0-2 years
• Activity rate: 100%

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