Head of Communications, The Lutheran World Federation (LWF)

Place of Assignment: Geneva Communion Office

Contract period: 5 years renewable once

Work time: 100%

Start date: ideally January 2026

Average travel days per year: limited 7-19 days

Closing dates for applications: 30 September 2025

Lutheran World Federation, The Office of the General Secretary

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a communion of churches living and working together for a just, peaceful, and reconciled world. The role of the Communion Office (CO) in Geneva is to serve these churches in different ways.

The Office of the General Secretary (OGS) is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the Communion Office as it fulfils the Strategy of the LWF. It has a dual mandate:

Relationships

Nurturing communion relationships with and among LWF member churches;

Promoting Christian unity and ecumenical relations through dialogue and shared witness;

Promoting strategic international partnerships.

Coordination and support

Overseeing development and implementation 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 to the Chief of Staff, the Head of Communications develops and implements the LWF communication strategy, leads the Office for Communication and communication projects in the LWF.

He/she ensures that LWF’s communication makes the global communion and its work visible, strengthens relations with key stakeholders, contributes to the sustainability of the communion, strategically amplifying stories of hope, connecting local voices with global impact, and strengthening LWF’s image as a trusted, faith‑based communion working for justice, peace, and dignity.

The Head of Communications manages a team of experts who are located in Geneva and remotely in the regions of the LWF. He/she also liaises with communicators in the member churches and LWF’s partner organizations

The Head of Communications advises the General Secretary, the Chief of Staff, the Leadership Team (COLT), and the two programmatic departments on all aspects of communication, brand and reputation, and serves as communication lead in the Crisis Management Team. 

This role balances strategic leadership (brand development, narrative framing, stakeholder relations) with operational oversight (team management, content production, campaign management, media relations, digital platforms).

The incumbent is a member of the Extended Leadership Team (COLT+) with the Head of Finance and Head of Human Resources. He/she is a member of the Crisis Management Team.

Required qualifications

University degree in communication, journalism, liberal arts, political science or related field, complemented by a certification in management.

Significant experience of several years in senior communication roles including people management responsibilities, preferably in a faith-based or ecumenical organization with international exposure.

Knowledge of the Lutheran churches worldwide, the LWF, its mission and networks including the ecumenical movement.

Strong planning, managerial and operational experience.

Sound grasp of current and trending communication tools and techniques, internal and external communication, and branding.

Demonstrated experience of work on communication and fundraising campaigns.

Expertise in public relations and relationship building.

Excellent writing and editing skills in English and strong skills in both written and spoken communication.

Strong interpersonal skills, a strategic mindset, and an ability to work in a complex and changing international setting.

Professional level in English. Knowledge of German, French, or Spanish, is an asset.

A member church endorsement is required for this position.

Additional Study and experience

Experience with project management, e.g. agile/lean or other standard project management methods.

Expertise of online platforms, CMS systems, social media tools, etc.

LWF Core Skills

Analytical thinking - Level resource

Initiative - Level resource

Leadership - Level resource

Achieving results - Level resource

Accountability - Level resource

Working effectively with others - Level resource

Required Skills

Communication and online communication - Level resource

Stakeholder management - Level resource

Information management - Level advanced

Brand management - Level resource

Digital marketing - Level advanced

People Management - Level advanced

Stress management - Level advanced

Position environment and dimensions

In the context of a rapidly evolving global context where methods of communication and public relations are also impacted, the incumbent needs an all-round toolbox for communications and branding, including means and channels for disseminating effective messages, keeping external and internal stakeholders informed about goals, policies, objectives, activities and programs of the LWF.

The incumbent must be well aware of and sensitive to the needs, opinions and attitudes of all LWF stakeholders, building a communication bridge between media, member churches, related organizations and the public in general.

He/she maintains the overview of current news issues and the global context.

His/her work contributes to the sustainability of the global communion, strategically aligning communication, campaigns, and resource mobilization.

In his/her role in the extended leadership team, the incumbent shares speaking points, best practices, communication plans, campaign and fundraising plans, that can help position the LWF and strengthen its public image.

Internally, as a member of OGS, lead and manages a team of 9 staff and consultants, both on-site and working remotely, interacts with all departments at all levels as well as with the Chief of Staff and General Secretary.

Externally, interacts and cooperates with member churches, donors and related agencies, ecumenical organizations, to a lesser extent with UN, INGOs and NGOs, as well as any other LWF stakeholders.

Main duties

Ensure that all communication is aligned with the LWF Strategy and the mission of the LWF, ensuring visibility of the strategic priorities, the global communion and its member churches.

Ensure LWF communications are continually developing, using new technologies and tools to tell stories of hope and impact.

Serve as editor-in-chief for publications, news, visuals, and digital outputs, ensuring high quality and consistency when communicating the LWF and its work.

Ensure all communications reflects the LWF’s values.

Lead brand development and manage LWF’s reputation, building a recognizable and trusted identity.

Advise the General Secretary, the Chief of Staff, the Leadership Team, and the two programmatic departments on communication and messaging.

Integrate communications, fundraising, and campaigns, contributing to LWF’s sustainability.

Organize media coverage, produce press releases, and support colleagues in responding to press queries.

Lead and manage the communications team in Geneva and remotely, ensuring effective planning, reporting, and collaboration across the team and the organization.

Strengthen internal communications to foster organizational culture, connection, ownership of the LWF’s mission, and efficiency of staff.

Monitor and assess the effectiveness of communication strategies, outputs, and campaigns using qualitative and quantitative indicators.

Manage development projects related to the LWF website, intranet, apps, and other digital platforms.

Special duties: as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Major challenges

To strategically position LWF as a trusted voice in a polarized world; to counter misleading theologies with responsible storytelling; to strengthen brand recognition in ways that support sustainability, partnerships, and communion-building; and to build the capacity of the communication team and all staff.