Chief of Staff to General Secretary, LWF

Place of Assignment:
Geneva, Switzerland

Starting date: 1 September 2026

Contract period: initial contract of 5 years, renewable once

Work time: 100 %

Average travel days per year: 7 to 19 days

Closing dates for applications: 6 April 2026

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a communion of 154 churches in 99 countries that collaborate on matters of theology, Christian unity, holistic mission, humanitarian and development aid. The Communion Office (CO) is the headquarters of the LWF.

The Office of the General Secretary (OGS) in the CO is responsible for managing and nurturing relationships and ensuring the smooth running of the Communion Office as it fulfils the Strategy of the LWF. It also takes responsibility for the development of the LWF strategy and for overall planning, coordination, and support.

• Nurturing communion relationships with and among LWF member churches.
• Promoting Christian unity and ecumenical relations through dialogue and shared witness.
• Promoting strategic international partnerships.

• Coordinating development of the LWF strategy as well as development of annual workplans; coordinating governance processes.
• Ensuring robust financial, human resources, communication, and IT systems and work; upholding institutional integrity through compliance, overall policies and accountability mechanisms; maintaining the institutional memory and archives.

Reporting directly to the General Secretary (GS), the Chief of Staff (CS) operates with delegated authority to support the GS in focusing on high-level strategic priorities, including long‑term financial sustainability and strategic financial development, organizational culture and strategic communication, while ensuring the efficient day to day functioning of the OGS.

Serving as a trusted advisor and integrator, the CS leads and coordinates the planning, development and implementation of central processes, platforms and services across core support functions (communication, finance, human resources, PMER, information technology, support to governing bodies, office management).

Working closely with the Head of Finance, the CS is responsible for the overall presentation of LWF budget to governance and funding partners, and for the development of financial strategy, tools and systems that support organizational effectiveness and sustainability.

The CS supports the General Secretary in working with governance. S/he maintains close relations with funding partners and key external stakeholders.

As a team leader, the CS fosters collaboration, coherence, and professional growth, ensuring that program planning aligns with the LWF strategy and that central support functions deliver high quality services.

The CS is a member of the LWF Communion Office Leadership Team (COLT).

• University degree in management, public administration, finance, organizational leadership or equivalent qualification.
• Expertise in strategic planning, finance and budgeting.
• High proficiency in office productivity tools, digital collaboration platforms, and remote work tools.
• Broad knowledge and understanding of the LWF, its governance structures, member churches, related agencies, and a commitment to the Lutheran faith tradition.
• Fluency in English. Working knowledge of German, French, or Spanish is an asset.
• A member church endorsement is required for this position.

• Extensive and successful senior‑level leadership experience (7+ years) involving overall planning, management and change management, preferably in a church or church related organization.
• Proven ability to navigate complex intercultural environments and foster collaborative leadership.

• Analytical thinking – Level expert
• Initiative – Level advanced
• Leadership – Level expert
• Achieving results – Level expert
• Accountability – Level expert
• Working effectively with others – Level expert

• People management – Level advanced
• Facilitation / Negotiation – Level expert
• Finance management – Level advanced
• Communication – Level advanced
• Stakeholder management – Level expert
• Program…