The top global development organizations hiring in Switzerland

While small in size, the landlocked country of Switzerland, officially known as the Swiss Confederation, has long been a center of diplomacy and global relations. It’s home to the headquarters of several international organizations, including United Nations agencies. The majority of these are based in Geneva — Switzerland’s second largest city — which remains a hub for global development but has felt the impacts of last year’s foreign aid cuts. The United States is the largest public donor to organizations based in the city, accounting for 26.3% of all donations. There’s already been significant layoffs, and more are anticipated in the year ahead. However, the good news for global development job seekers is that there are still several opportunities available in the small European nation. Data from Devex’s job board shows that U.N. agencies are continuously recruiting at their headquarters in Geneva, as well as regional offices in Zurich, with opportunities ranging from internships and entry-level roles to senior positions requiring years of experience. Major humanitarian aid organizations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and Médecins Sans Frontières, also have their headquarters in Geneva and are regularly hiring for positions based there, as is The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. As Devex continues its exploration of the top global development employers in key sectors and locations worldwide, here is a look at the organizations that had the most job openings in Switzerland in the last year, from Jan. 1, 2025, to Jan. 31, 2026. UN agencies hiring the most in Switzerland Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland Year founded: 1993 Switzerland-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 156 UN Human Rights is the leading U.N. entity mandated to protect and advance human rights for all by setting international standards, monitoring compliance, and providing technical support to governments and civil society organizations. The agency posted several openings for human rights officers to be based at its headquarters. View all current job postings from OHCHR on Devex. U.N. Environment Programme Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya Switzerland office: Chemin des Anemones 11, Geneva Year founded: 1972 Switzerland-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 128 UNEP is a leading global authority on the environment, steering actions around three areas: climate, nature, and chemicals and pollution. While its headquarters are in East Africa, the agency advertised several opportunities for consultants to be based in Switzerland, supporting their finance initiatives and climate-related projects. View all current job postings from UNEP on Devex. UNICEF Headquarters: New York, United States Switzerland office: Pfingstweidstrasse 10, Zurich Year founded: 1946 Switzerland-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 126 UNICEF works around the world to safeguard the rights of all children, particularly the most vulnerable children and adolescents. The agency recruited several consultants to support its digital marketing and knowledge management initiatives. View all current job postings from UNICEF on Devex. U.N. Conference on Trade and Development Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland Year founded: 1964 Switzerland-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 125 UNCTAD works to support low- and middle-income countries in accessing the benefits of the global economy through research and technical assistance in trade, investment, finance, and technology. In the past 12 months, the agency had several job openings for economic affairs officers and interns. View all current job postings from UNCTAD on Devex. World Intellectual Property Organization Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland Year founded: 1967 Switzerland-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 123 WIPO is a specialized U.N. agency that helps innovators and creators protect their ideas across borders through international treaties and registration systems. It is currently seeking an associate oversight officer to support the Internal Oversight Division in planning engagements and fieldwork. View all current job postings from WIPO on Devex. Other organizations leading in hiring in Switzerland Médecins Sans Frontières Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland Year founded: 1971 Switzerland-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 103 Médecins Sans Frontières is an international medical humanitarian organization that provides emergency lifesaving care to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or excluded from health care. The organization currently has an opening at its Zurich office for a public engagement and health network officer who can combine strategic networking with event coordination to strengthen the organization’s presence and impact in Switzerland. View all current job postings from MSF on Devex. International Committee of the Red Cross Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland Year founded: 1863 Switzerland-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 50 The ICRC works to provide humanitarian protection and assistance to victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence. In the past 12 months, the organization hired for several positions in human resources and, to a lesser extent, roles in business processing. View all current job postings from ICRC on Devex. HEKS/EPER Headquarters: Zurich, Switzerland Year founded: 1946 Switzerland-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 28 HEKS/EPER — Swiss Church Aid — is a nonprofit foundation of the Protestant Church in Switzerland that provides development cooperation and humanitarian aid for disaster and conflict victims. Last year, they advertised several internship opportunities for fundraising and legal functions. View all current job postings from HEKS/EPER on Devex. World Trade Organization Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland Year founded: 1995 Switzerland-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 22 The WTO sets and enforces trade rules between nations and negotiates and implements trade agreements. Openings at the agency’s headquarters included research economists and analysts for trade policy and IT solutions. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland Year founded: 2002 Switzerland-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 22 GFATM, also known as The Global Fund, is an international partnership that mobilizes and invests billions of dollars annually to support programs aimed at ending the epidemics of the three diseases and strengthening health systems. In the past 12 months, the organization recruited specialists in the fields of quality assurance, equity and integrated services, and health management.