Head of the Department of Plant Products

About the job

Liebefeld (and home office) | 80-100% (job sharing possible)

What you can contribute

• Lead the department with nine employees in organisational and personnel matters
• Actively shape the further development of agricultural policy in the area of plant production, contribute to the drafting of proposals for the Federal Council and Parliament, and respond to parliamentary initiatives
• Ensure the implementation of regulations for the market for plant crops
• Manage the budget and financial planning for a credit framework of around 80 million Swiss francs annually and control the use of funds
• Maintain contacts with professional associations of the affected sectors as well as with science and business
• Organise and lead meetings with stakeholders inside and outside the federal administration and represent the office in these groups

What makes you unique

• University degree, ideally with a specialisation in plant production or agricultural economics, or equivalent training
• Several years of leadership experience
• In-depth knowledge of agricultural markets and an existing network in these markets, especially in the area of plant production
• Analytical thinking, foresight (strategic perspective), precise working method and very good communication skills
• High resilience and assertiveness; ability to make well-founded decisions and implement them decisively even under pressure
• Excellent knowledge of two official languages and English (spoken and written)

In a nutshell

Together with your experienced team, you set the framework conditions necessary for the development of arable farming and special crops in Switzerland.
In doing so, you make a decisive contribution to an agricultural policy that promotes a diverse and efficient agriculture.

What we offer

• Working for Switzerland We are committed to the success model Switzerland and work for the benefit of the population.
• Lived diversity Thanks to equal opportunities, we develop our skills and bring in different perspectives.
• Healthy at work We support and advise our employees in the area of physical and mental health.

All benefits

Agriculture and nutrition: shape the future with us!

The Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) is the federal competence centre for the agricultural sector. It is tasked with implementing agricultural policy and preparing its further development. The agricultural research institute Agroscope, which conducts research in the interest of a productive and sustainable agricultural and food economy, is part of the FOAG.

Additional information

Questions about the position

Jean-Marc Chappuis
Head of the Directorate Division Markets and International
+41 58 46 76276

Questions about the application

Nathalie Aerni
Head of Human Resources Department
+41 58 46 27839