Stiftung Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz (HEKS)
Zürich
Project Coordination "Bridges of Hope", 50%
- 18 June 2026
- 50%
- Permanent position
- Zürich
About the job
HEKS pursues the vision of a just world in which the dignity of all people is respected, peace prevails, and natural living conditions are preserved. The goal is a transformation on social, economic, and political levels. HEKS contributes to improving the living conditions of people in Switzerland and worldwide, asserts their rights, and raises awareness and mobilises for this purpose.
Lived diversity - Inclusion is important to us:
We welcome applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, or sexual orientation.
Project Coordination «Bridges of Hope», 50%
The aid organisation of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Switzerland HEKS provides worldwide support for people in need and advocates for a fairer and more peaceful world. In the area of Church Cooperation (KiZA), HEKS promotes partnership relations with churches and church organisations in Europe and the Middle East.
The new project «Bridges of Hope» connects Swiss parishes with communities in Ukraine. The focus is on personal encounters, shared faith, mutual learning, and support through a common solidarity fund. The one-year start phase is carried out in cooperation with the Reformed Cantonal Churches Baselland/Basel-Stadt, Ukrainian partner communities, and the HEKS programmes in Ukraine.
For this project we are looking for a committed individual from 1 July 2026 or by agreement (initially limited until 30 June 2027 with the option of extension) as
- Establishing, accompanying, and maintaining partnerships between Swiss and Ukrainian parishes
- Regular exchange with participating parishes in Switzerland including on-site visits
- Advising and supporting the Swiss and Ukrainian partner parishes on partnership design issues as well as moderating tensions or clarification processes
- Operational coordination of the solidarity fund:
o Organisation of calls for proposals and submission processes
o Preparation and support of the selection committee meetings
o Communication with Ukrainian communities and local facilitators in Ukraine who accompany the approved initiatives - Close cooperation with the HEKS-KiZA team, the HEKS team in Ukraine, and internal specialist departments (Controlling, Communication, Fundraising, MEAL)
- Preparation of reports and decision-making documents for the steering group
- Participation in the further development and possible scaling of the project to other regions and cantonal churches in Switzerland during and after the start phase
- Presentation and promotion of the project to interested churches and partner organisations
- University degree or comparable education in social sciences, theology, international cooperation, or related fields
- Experience in project coordination and participatory processes
- Sound understanding of church life and church structures
- Experience in cooperation with churches, NGOs, or volunteer structures
- High communicative and intercultural competence as well as enjoyment in relationship work
- Ability to network different actors and to moderate processes prudently
- Independent, structured, and proactive working style
- Very good German and English skills; Ukrainian or Russian skills desirable
- Willingness to travel regularly within Switzerland and possibly occasionally to Ukraine
- Participation in an innovative and meaningful pilot project with high social relevance
- Great scope for design in a new project with an international and church context
- Cooperation and networking with committed partners in Switzerland and Ukraine
- Workplace in Zurich including flexible home office arrangements and flexible working conditions
- Contemporary employment conditions
For further information, Angela Elmiger, Programme Manager Church Cooperation Eastern Europe / Middle East, is available from 10 to 29 June at Angela.Elmiger@heks.ch , and from 30 June Marina Dölker, Programme Officer Church Cooperation Eastern Europe / Middle East, is available at marina.doelker@heks.ch .
More information about HEKS can be found at www.heks.ch.