Stiftung Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz (HEKS)
Zürich
Member of the Foundation Board
- 04 September 2026
- 100%
- Permanent position
- Zürich
Job summary
L'EPER is a leading NGO in Switzerland, promoting social justice globally. Join a dynamic team dedicated to impactful humanitarian work.
Tasks
- Oversee strategic direction and mission alignment of the organization.
- Engage with stakeholders to enhance social impact and networking.
- Monitor geopolitical trends affecting humanitarian efforts and strategies.
Skills
- Theological training or equivalent experience preferred; church knowledge essential.
- Strong communication and networking abilities required.
- Experience in migration, inclusion, and climate justice is a plus.
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About the job
HEKS employs more than 1200 people on a permanent basis. The organisation's work is driven by the vision of a just world, where peace prevails, the dignity of all human beings is respected, and natural livelihoods are preserved. HEKS is active at 23 sites in Switzerland and in more than 32 countries worldwide. It runs 277 programmes and projects there, with a total amount of CHF 138 million.
The organisation works within the framework of the 2030 Agenda according to four priority themes: "climate justice", "right to land and food", "asylum and migration" and "inclusion". It also provides humanitarian aid to victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. The aim is to bring about a transition at social, economic and political levels. HEKS contributes to improving the living conditions of people in Switzerland and abroad and advocates for their rights. To this end, it raises awareness and mobilises society, political and economic spheres, as well as churches. In 2025, HEKS's work benefited approximately 12 million people.
Member of the Foundation Board
HEKS was founded in 1946 under the name Swiss Protestant Aid. Since 2004, it has been a public utility foundation based in Zurich. In November 2021, the merger of HEKS and Bread for All took place into a single organisation, Swiss Protestant Aid (HEKS). Its supreme body is the Foundation Board, which entrusts operational management to the Executive Group. The HEKS Foundation Board consists of nine members, one of whom is appointed by the Evangelical Reformed Church of Switzerland (EERS). The other members as well as the chairperson are elected by the EERS Synod. The term of office is four years, with two possible re-elections. Currently, three women and six men sit on the Foundation Board.
As part of a gradual renewal of the Foundation Board, we are looking for a person with good communication skills and a strong network to fill the position of
The Foundation Board is responsible for:
- the vision/mission/strategy;
- anticipating geopolitical, societal and development policy changes, as well as their consequences for humanitarian and social work (e.g. trend analyses, scenarios, future orientation, innovation);
- strategic development of the organisation (e.g. optimisation of conditions, good governance, corporate responsibility, sustainability);
- cultural changes (e.g. customer and impact orientation, digitalisation, younger generations);
- risk management and oversight (compliance, information security, data protection, shortage of qualified personnel);
- exploiting potential and synergies within the organisation and related organisations, as well as HEKS's complementarity with selected strategic partners;
- financial sustainability (securing new sources of funding);
- positioning, strong social anchoring, and networking in Switzerland and with key stakeholders abroad.
Your profile to join the Foundation Board:
- theological training or equivalent qualification;
- knowledge of the structures and functioning of Protestant churches;
- experience in grassroots church work;
- knowledge of church networks.
An affinity for the following topics is an advantage:
- asylum and migration;
- inclusion;
- climate justice;
- right to land and food.
We live diversity – inclusion is close to our hearts:
We welcome all applications, regardless of sex or gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age or sexual orientation; applications from French-speaking Switzerland are particularly welcome.
We offer you:
- a stimulating and meaningful activity within a renowned NGO;
- the opportunity to work with members of the Foundation Board and the Executive Group as well as committed, motivated and competent colleagues;
- respectful relationships at all levels and a culture of informal address;
- appropriate remuneration in line with Zewo standards for voluntary engagement, amounting to about ten days of work per year (including preparation and follow-up).
Would you like to join the HEKS Foundation Board and enrich it with your experience? We look forward to receiving your application (cover letter and CV) by e-mail (direktion@heks.ch).
Mr Walter Schmid (walter.schmid@heks.ch), chair, and Mr Markus Arbenz, Foundation Board member (markus.arbenz@heks.ch), are available for any enquiries.
Further information about HEKS can be found on the website www.heks.ch.
