Director for World Service, LWF Place of assignment: Geneva, Switzerland Starting ideally January Contract period: initial contract of 5 years, renewable once Work time: 100 % Average travel days per year: more than 20 days Closing for 6 April Context The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a communion of churches living and working together for a just, peaceful, and reconciled world. The Communion Office (CO) is the headquarters of the Department for World Service (DWS), externally referred to as LWF World Service (WS), which is the humanitarian and diaconal arm of LWF, responsible for carrying out diaconal responses to humanitarian emergencies and human needs on behalf of the LWF. World Service is one of the largest faith-based humanitarian actors in the world, serving more than 2 million people annually through its country programs. It has more than 1,000 staff worldwide and has an annual budget of more than 120 million EUR. Director for World Service, LWF Purpose In pursuance of its responsibility and based on its mission, LWF World Service provides support to refugees, returnees, internally displaced people, and their host communities, emphasizing resilient livelihoods, quality services, protection, and social cohesion. It establishes and runs country programs in collaboration with governmental and non-governmental entities, as well as relevant United Nations agencies and other structures involved in humanitarian and development programs. The director is tasked with effectively leading, directing, and overseeing the activities of World Service and its country programs. The director leads the WS management team, which includes the Head of Programs and the Head of World Service Finance and Support Functions, ensuring alignment with goals and excellence across the structures of World Service. The director heads the LWF Crisis Management team and is a member of the LWF Communion Office Leadership Team (COLT). Required qualifications - Degree or equivalent in development studies, economics, social sciences, or a related field - Extensive experience in senior management functions in humanitarian aid and development, preferably in an ecumenical or diaconal context - Understanding of concepts of humanitarian aid and development, including accountability mechanisms and programming - Knowledge and understanding of LWF member churches, agencies, the ecumenical environment, and an appreciation for the Lutheran faith tradition - Fluency in English; working knowledge of German, French, or Spanish is an asset - Endorsement from a member church is required for this position Additional Skills and Experience - Highly developed leadership skills with a visionary, empowering leadership style - Experience and understanding of crisis management - Confident networker with the ability to navigate complex political environments - Experience and skills in people management and development, along with proven ability in cross-cultural contexts - Financial management experience (including budget oversight and enforcement of financial controls) - Ability to lead complex initiatives with strong computer literacy - Knowledge and experience of working with UN, governmental, and development agencies in the field of humanitarian aid, refugee/IDP assistance, rights-based programming, and sustainable development, including cooperation with other faith-based organizations Core Skills - Analytical thinking – Level advanced - Leadership – Level advanced - Achieving results – Level advanced - Accountability – Level advanced - Working effectively with others – Level advanced - Networking – Level advanced - Diplomacy – Level advanced - Advocacy / Influence – Level advanced - Emotional intelligence – Level advanced - People Management – Level advanced - Resource management – Level advanced Position Environment and Dimensions The humanitarian and development sector is undergoing unprecedented changes and facing turbulent times, where global needs are growing and available resources are sharply declining. The director must be able to navigate the sector and provide vision, stability, and leadership while seeking alliances and effective partnerships with a diverse range of actors. Internally, the director interacts with the WS Management Team, World Service staff, and Country Programs. In the broader LWF context, the director engages with the Communion Office Leadership Team, the Department for Theology, Mission and Justice, the Action for Justice advocacy team, and the Office of the General Secretary. The director collaborates closely with LWF governance structures, especially the Council and its Committee for World Service, as well as the Executive Committee. Externally, the director interacts with member churches, ecumenical organizations, the ACT Alliance and its members, Caritas, UN institutional donors, INGOs, the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response (SCHR), and other stakeholders. Duties and Responsibilities Leadership and Vision - Provide overall leadership for World Service - Ensure the implementation of the World Service Global strategy through decentralized structures and systems in alignment with LWF priorities and the mandates of WS as outlined in the LWF Constitution and bylaws - Engage in relevant policy discussions and developments in humanitarian and development aid, conveying LWF positions globally Managing World Service Globally - Ensure systems are in place to achieve quality programs and timely responses in line with World Service's overall mission - Oversee the day-to-day management of country programs and emergency responses, ensuring key processes and areas for development are implemented globally - Foster close collaboration with Action for Justice in rights-based programming and advocacy Finance and Risk Management - Maintain a global understanding of financial management within World Service, ensuring regular assessment of financial risks and timely decisions regarding necessary adjustments, support, or investments Partnership and Management - Represent LWF and World Service in all interactions with partners and stakeholders mentioned above - Engage with donors and partners to explore new partnerships and approaches while collaborating with the Department of Theology, Mission and Justice to enhance member church capacity in emergency response globally - Serve as an ex-officio member of the ACT Governing Board and the SCHR Principals People Management - Lead, manage, and develop the team within the structures of World Service globally, promoting an empowering, enabling, and transparent decision-making environment - Ensure LWF values are reinforced and staff roles and structures are properly defined Accountability - Ensure zero tolerance for violations of the LWF Code of Conduct, including sexual and gender-based violence, fraud, and corruption - Implement strong and effective complaints handling mechanisms, chairing the Complaints Handling Committee at the Geneva level - Ensure staff are regularly trained on all aspects of complaints management - Head the Crisis Management Team, serving as the Crisis Manager for LWF and adhering to the LWF Crisis Management Protocol - Ensure policies and procedures are up-to-date and followed in cases requiring crisis management Commemoration Office Leadership Team (COLT) - Serve as a full member of the LWF Communion Office Leadership Team, participating in managerial decision-making Special Challenges Lead the highly decentralized World Service in a rapidly evolving global environment marked by violent conflict, resource constraints, dangerous working conditions, and daily challenges while maintaining staff morale, safety and security, stability, and clarity of purpose. Decision-making occurs amid incomplete information. Work within a complex network of stakeholders, partners, and funders to foster partnerships enabling quality responses globally, achieving the mission, vision, and objectives of World Service. jid24396c3aen jit0313aen jpiy26aen