Senior Humanitarian Policy Adviser (100%)

Start date: July 1st, 2025 (or upon agreement)

The Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN in New York promotes Switzerland’s interests at the UN Headquarters, in line with the country’s foreign policy goals. Under the political direction of the Swiss government, the Mission participates in the work of the UN’s principal organs (General Assembly, Security Council and Economic and Social Council).

Job Description

We are looking for a senior candidate with a profile and experience in multilateral humanitarian affairs/ IHL / Disaster Risk Reduction, who is highly motivated to work in a challenging, multilateral setting and within the UN framework. You have strong negotiation, analytical and synthesis skills and are comfortable dealing with issues of a certain intellectual complexity, often under time constraints. You like to develop negotiation strategies, pursuing your goals with tenacity and a set of highly developed social skills, including an interest in intercultural exchanges. You have a master degree in a field relevant to this position. Professional experience working for a Permanent Mission at the UN, a representation of Switzerland or in the Swiss federal administration would be an asset.

Responsibilities

• To support the Permanent Mission of Switzerland, in close coordination with the relevant federal offices in Berne, in multilateral humanitarian matters, and follow closely related discussions and trends.
• Represent Switzerland's interests in the above-mentioned field in intergovernmental processes, including negotiations of resolutions in the General Assembly and other UN bodies, as well as with the Permanent Missions of other UN Member States, the UN Secretariat and its organs and entities.
• To elaborate and defend Swiss positions in the framework of negotiations.
• To support capital in the preparation of Swiss positions, contributing to the drafting of formal Swiss interventions or communication elements (including for social media).
• To gather information, to provide political analysis in the above-mentioned fields, and to write reports on a regular basis.
• To identify opportunities and initiatives for Switzerland in the above-mentioned areas, to participate in meetings and working groups and report on these.
• To organize, accompany and support delegations visiting the Permanent Mission of Switzerland

Qualifications

• Master's degree in relevant field.
• Solid knowledge of international politics and ideally Swiss foreign policy, with a strong interest in areas related to humanitarian affairs / IHL.
• Proven experience with multilateral organizations or a solid knowledge of the work of multilateral organizations, the multilateral architecture and its instruments.
• Great capacity for analysis and synthesis, with a certain ease in dealing with complex issues.
• Strong interest in negotiation and ability to work in an intense working environment requiring good resistance to stress and excellent self-management capacities.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a flair and ambition to develop professional networks.
• Excellent knowledge of English, good knowledge of French or German and at least passive knowledge of a second national language of Switzerland.
• Full computer literacy with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).

We Offer

• Inviting and intellectually inspiring work atmosphere in a multilingual setting within a motivated team of 30+ persons.
• Diversified work in a foreign representation and diplomatic environment
• Bright office that is conveniently located in midtown Manhattan
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• 401k plan with matching employer contribution
• 4 weeks paid vacation, with observance of American and some Swiss holidays

If interested, please send your resume, a letter of interest, and salary expectations in PDF format to newyork.un.jobapplication@eda.admin.ch

Please write in the subject line “Senior Humanitarian Police Adviser” to ensure timely processing of your application.

Deadline for application: April 30, 2025

We will not review incomplete applications or those that do not adhere to the requirements above.

Please note, that only digital applications will be accepted. The files of those applications not considered for an interview will be deleted.