Switzerland for UNHCR is looking for a Head of Communications & Advocacy (German- and French-speaking)

Job description

• Develop & implement a national communications strategy aligned with CH4U goals & UNHCR’s global brand.

• Serve as principal advisor to the Executive Director(ED) on communications opportunities, risks, & positioning; contribute to the overall strategy of the foundation as part of the Leadership Team.

• Deliver reporting on Communications and Advocacy activities, in line with clearly defined annual objectives and key results & key performance indicators.

• Ensure coherence and consistency of CH4U’s narrative across channels, campaigns & audience segments, strengthening clarity of positioning & brand trust, raising awareness of & fostering positive sentiments toward the cause of refugees and the mandate of UNHCR.

• Uphold UNHCR brand standards in all communications and external relations of the foundation, and protect UNHCR’s & CH4U’s reputation.

• Engage and work collaboratively with all relevant stakeholders internally (CH4U’s Leadership, IG - Individual Giving & PPH - Partnerships & Philanthropy teams, etc.), at UNHCR headquarters (Global Communications and Private Sector Partnerships services, programme teams and regional or country offices, etc.) & externally (media, peers from other non profits, etc.).

• Lead, mentor & develop a high-performing team; steward an inclusive, feedback-rich culture with clear objectives, workflows and development plans.

• Own Communications budget planning and control; allocate resources to priority outcomes and manage supplier contracts.

• Coordinate with other units to lead a supporter-centric editorial/content strategy for CH4U’s owned channels (website, social media…), including planning, production, localization & community management.

• Define & maintain clear message architecture across audiences, ensuring content quality, accuracy, brand consistency & accessibility across the three main official languages in Switzerland & English, with timely coordination on sensitive topics.

• Oversee web & social analytics for communications; test & optimize formats, messages & publishing cadences.

• Strengthen CH4U’s positioning as a trusted public voice on global refugee issues through proactive engagement with media, opinion leaders & public-facing stakeholders across Switzerland & Liechtenstein.

• Build strong relationships with print, digital & broadcast media; maintain a proactive media calendar.

• Identify, brief & position the most relevant spokesperson(s) by topic (UNHCR field experts, UNHCR senior representatives, CH4U’s ED, etc.) ; act as spokesperson where appropriate.

• Lead issues/crisis communications preparedness & response protocols in coordination with UNHCR counterparts; ensure message discipline, accuracy & speed.

• Oversee brand-building campaigns tailored to Swiss audiences; working closely with the Digital Campaigns & IG Liaison Lead to plan & deliver creative strategy, production, localization, media planning & performance optimization.

• Manage or support the management of external agencies & suppliers; to negotiate scopes, control quality & ensure onbrand creative aligned with UNHCR’s identity guidelines.

• Track brand health metrics (awareness, familiarity, trust, consideration) & visibility (reach, quality of coverage) & use insights to iterate.

• Codesign audience specific communications that enable & support Individual Giving, Corporate Partnerships, Foundations, & (U)HNW philanthropy, etc.

• Craft compelling stories, impact materials, talking points, & case studies that support fundraising & partnership engagement.

• Ensure consistent message architecture & value propositions for each audience segment; embed ethical storytelling and data protection.

• Develop & manage a network of influencers, cultural figures and goodwill ambassadors across Switzerland’s linguistic regions, aligned with UNHCR’s values & protecting UNHCR’s reputation.

• Co-create awareness raising activations that extend reach & foster public empathy toward refugees.

Profile required

We are looking for someone who has:

• 8–10+ years of senior experience in communications, public relations, public engagement, brand management or campaigning within NGOs, humanitarian, non-profit or purpose-driven contexts.
• Demonstrated success in awareness-raising, narrative development and public-facing campaigns.
• Strong track record in media and external relations and experience as a spokesperson. Knowledge of the Swiss communications and media ecosystem is an asset.
• Experience with brand campaigns, communications for fundraising and partnerships, media planning, influencer engagement and crisis communications.
• Proven experience leading teams and agencies, managing budgets, and delivering multichannel strategies.
• Advanced post graduate degree or graduate degree with equivalent in experience to reach master level
• Commitment to refugee rights and humanitarian principles; prior experience with UNHCR is an asset.
• Strategic, analytical and solutions-oriented mindset, with strong judgment, problem-solving skills, and the ability to turn ideas into action.
• Excellent communicator, with strong written, oral and interpersonal skills, and the ability to engage effectively across multicultural and multilingual environments.
• Empathetic and cross-culturally sensitive, with a collaborative and diplomatic approach to working with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, with the ability to motivate, develop and lead a high-performing team.
• Highly organized and structured, with strong attention to detail and the ability to prioritize, manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Autonomous and proactive, while also being an effective team player.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation and advocacy skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and open new opportunities.
• Sound budget management skills, including planning, analysis, decision-making and reporting.
• Fluent in German, French and English (written & spoken).
• Swiss-German is an asset.
• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of MS Office applications

Company description

Make your next job one with purpose
Do you believe in a world where everyone has a safe place to call home?
Do you thrive in engaging donors, building meaningful relationships, and crafting campaigns that inspire lasting support?

We are not just another nonprofit. We are part of a global humanitarian movement, working every day to support people forced to flee war, conflict, and persecution. And we need passionate people like you to expand our impact.

Why Join Us?

• Work for a cause that truly matters
• Collaborate with a motivated, supportive and mission-driven team
• Be part of an agile and growing Foundation
• Get exposure to international humanitarian operations
• Enjoy a flexible and hybrid work environment

Switzerland for UNHCR is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds (including those who have personally experienced displacement) and are committed to supporting others forced to flee.

On 4/2/2026

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You can apply by email: mailto:[email protected]

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