Regional Secretary for Europe, LWF
Regional Secretary for Europe, LWF
Place of assignment: Incumbent's country of residence
The employment conditions will be defined with the final selected candidate
Starting date: 1 February 2027
Contract period: initial contract of 5 years, renewable once
Work time: 100 %
Average travel days per year: extensive (more than 20 days per year)
Organizational Context
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a communion of 153 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.
Regional Secretaries (RS) are the OGS’s primary link to member churches at the regional level, focusing specifically on the strategic priority of “Thriving Churches.” The RS for Europe is responsible for the three European Regions: Central Eastern Europe, Central Western Europe, and the Nordic Countries.
S-he works remotely from the country of residence.
Purpose
Under the leadership of the General Secretary, the Regional Secretary for Europe:
Accompanies member churches in their ministry, offering counsel, support and cooperation.
Supports the churches to express their relationships of communion in their shared life and witness.
Acts as a facilitator in the implementation of LWF’s programmatic work, ensuring coherence, consistency, relevance and responsiveness, both regionally and globally.
Required Qualifications
Degree in Theology.
Ordained pastor in a member church.
Excellent written and spoken English.
A member church endorsement is required for this position.
Additional Study and Experience
Successful experience of at least 5 years in positions involving mission, theological reflection, as well as planning.
Demonstrated excellent capacity in mediation, coaching, and group facilitation.
Demonstrated diplomatic, relational and political skills.
Proven process management skills.
Solid experience within an LWF member church and in regional settings.
Demonstrated excellent capacity to develop interpersonal working relationships at both strategic and operational levels.
Proven ability to lead and interact with multi-cultural and multi-professional teams with indirect supervision role.
Knowledge of German and French is an asset.
LWF Core Skills
Analytical thinking - Level advanced
Initiative – Level advanced
Leadership -Level advanced
Achieving results - Level resource
Accountability - Level resource
Working effectively with others - Level resource
Required Skills
Organisational development – Level resource
Communication – Level resource
Networking – Level resource
Diplomacy – Level resource
Facilitation / Negotiation / Mediation – Level resource
Advocacy / Influence – Level resource
Project management – Level resource
Position Environment and Dimensions
Represents the LWF Communion Office regionally and acts as the primary entry point for accompaniment, advice and support to and from mermber churches.
S-he deepens the understanding of the LWF as a Communion of churches in the European regions, while bringing inputs from the regional level to the global.
Provides guidance and contextualizes LWF policies and practices, ensuring consistency and quality at regional level.
Contributes at regional level to LWF sustainable development and financing.
Major influence role in shaping regional and global LWF impact and outcomes.
Internally , interacts with the General Secretary and the staff of the Office of the General Secretary, all LWF departments, program staff, event organizers.
Externally , interacts primarily with member churches as well as other churches, ecumenical bodies, donors and related agencies, and any other relevant LWF stakeholders.
Main duties
Member churc