Switzerland for UNHCR is looking for an HR Manager (Part-time; French-speaking)

Contract Type: Permanent, 80%

Starting date: As soon as possible

Department: Operations

Level: Manager

Location: Geneva

Switzerland for UNHCR

hires a

HR Manager

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 shaping a positive workplace culture, empowering people and building the HR foundations that allow a mission-driven team to grow?

Switzerland for UNHCR (CH4U), the Swiss Foundation supporting the UN Refugee Agency, is looking for a HR Manager.

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.

What you will do

As CH4U's HR Manager, you will lead the Foundation's people function, ensuring that every stage of the employee lifecycle — from attraction and onboarding to development and retention — is managed to the highest professional standards. Reporting to the Executive Director, you will work in close partnership with the leadership team and all staff members, as well as with the Administrative & HR Assistant and external service providers (payroll, insurance, legal). As the Foundation transitions from start-up to scale-up, your role will be pivotal in supporting organizational change management, ensuring HR frameworks are fit-for-purpose, shaping workplace culture and strengthening the employer brand — enabling CH4U to attract, grow and retain the talent needed to advance the refugee cause.

Resources planning, recruitment process, onboarding and offboarding

• Support staffing plans and talent management, ensuring the staffing needs of the Foundation are met on an ongoing basis;
• Support organizational change management as the Foundation develops its activities and team.
• Lead talent acquisition processes in an agile manner ensuring each recruitment process is adapted to the position;
• Manage and oversee the onboarding and offboarding processes for employees.

Talent Management, Learning & Development and Performance Management

• Lead talent management initiatives, including workforce planning, performance management, succession planning, and employee development, to build and retain a high-performing and engaged workforce
• Lead the Foundation efforts to strengthen its Human Resources framework and activities in areas such as engagement and retention, HR data management, HR KPIs and statistics;
• Assess training needs, act as Learning & Development focal point and monitor the annual training budget for all employees;

Employee Life Cycle

• Be the go-to person for all employee-related issues and act as business partner to all managers and employees;
• Oversee completion of key administrative HR processes (e.g., staff contracts, job descriptions, leave management, work permit, family allocations, payroll, benefits, terminations etc.) to ensure effectiveness, compliance and accuracy in implementation and execution;
• Drive the implementation and optimization of HR information systems and digital HR tools.
• Promote employee wellbeing, work-life balance and a healthy workplace culture

Compensation & Benefits

• Participate in the Employee Value Proposition definition to ensure proper positioning of CH4U as an employer;
• Organize compensation & benefits benchmark every 3 to 5 years to analyze CH4U positioning and propose any necessary corrective measures.
• Participate in the proper management of staff related costs, their budgeting and analysis;
• Oversee and manage portfolio of staff related insurances and ensure attractive and competitive insurances are in place;
• Prepare the monthly payroll report with assistance from the external payroll services provider;
• Ensure legal compliance throughout human resources management;

Additional specific projects / activities

• Participate in HR NGO benchmark / networking to keep abreast of Not-For-Profit sector trends;
• Participate in global UNHCR HR projects and activities when relevant;

What You bring

We are looking for a versatile, hands-on and strategic individual with a proven experience in Human Resources and a strong alignment with our humanitarian values, as well as a genuine interest for the humanitarian sector with :

• 7 - 8 years’ relevant experience including several at similar level
• Experience and understanding of the humanitarian, development and sustainability sectors
• Proven working experience as HR Manager or similar position
• Graduate or post graduate degree in relevant field, Certified HR Specialist (HR ‘Brevet’) is an asset
• Competence to build and effectively manage interpersonal relationships at all levels of the company
• Very strong ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines
• Creative and analytical thinker with strong problem-solving skills
• Very well organized and structured with high attention to details, accuracy and results oriented
• Ability to lead and motivate a team for optimum performance
• Ability to manage large size projects with delegated budget management
• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills in a fast-paced multi-cultural and multilingual environment
• Very good capacity to work autonomously as well as a team player
• Very strong ability to interact with internal and external stakeholders with very strong negotiation skills
• Comfortable at participating in the exploration of new areas of activities, challenging ideas and projects
• Knowledge, interest and a strong commitment for the work and mission of UNHCR and the refugee cause
• Excellent command of English and French, another Swiss national language (DE/ IT) is considered an advantage
• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of MS Office applications with advance proficiency in Excel
• Openness to explore innovative methods involving AI
• Knowledge of HR systems and databases, Familiarity with Lucca HRIS an asset
• In-depth knowledge of Swiss employment legal framework and HR best practices

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

Apply Now

Ready to bring your talent to a mission that saves lives? Submit your CV, motivation letter, and relevant documents by 21 June 2026 via our recruitment page.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis — early applications are encouraged!

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