Review 2024
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Future-ready through Strategic Adaptation
Global geopolitical upheavals and the reallocation of the federal budget posed significant challenges for the entire sector in 2024 – challenges that will need to be addressed in the coming years. Thanks to a strategy revision in 2024, cinfo is ready to continue supporting labour market for international cooperation (IC) actors with expertise and tailored services.
In mid-2024, the Foundation Board approved the 2025–2028 strategy, which is structured around cinfo’s core competencies and consists of three key elements:
• Think Tank: Analysis of the (Swiss) labour market in international cooperation, trend researches and surveys, and fostering connections between cinfos members and stakeholders
• Career and Development Capacity: Career counselling for individuals and capacity development within organisations
• Jobs: The job platform cinfoPoste, including a talent pool and recruitment services for organisations
Already in the second half of the year, federal budget discussions put this strategic focus on three core competencies to the test.
Supporting Sector Actors in Challenging Times
In the second half of the year, it became evident that the budget debate at the Parliament would lead to cuts in international cooperation. Consequently, cinfo had to reduce its budget by more than 10%. These budget reductions will continue to shape the years ahead.
cinfo’s current strategy enables the foundation to fully align its activities with the core competencies: labour market trend analysis, career counselling and capacity development, and connecting individuals with organisations. In light of developments in spring 2025, this focus on core competencies will prove to be the right decision: support services in precisely these three areas are particularly relevant now and will remain so in the future.
A New Central Location
After 25 years in Biel, cinfo decided to relocate its office to Bern. The main reason for this move was that the office premises in Biel – spread across three floors –no longer met current needs, considering cinfo transitioned to a fully hybrid working model since COVID. Another factor in the decision was the announcement of major construction work directly adjacent to the premises at Zentralstrasse in Biel.
Following several months of search in Biel and Bern, cinfo secured an ideal location for the new headquarters at Eigerstrasse 57 in Bern. It stands out for its modern facilities, energy efficiency, and central position. The move to the spacious co-working environment with meeting and counselling rooms took place in February 2025.
The new and centrally located offices will enable cinfo to further strengthen its role as a centre of excellence in the years ahead.
Forum cinfo 2024 –Global Goals, Personal Paths
International cooperation is evolving rapidly, shaped by climate change, migration, crises, and budget cuts in the sector. Technological advances like AI and digitalisation also play a significant role.
40 cm of Snow, Minus 5 Degrees, over 1'250 Participants
Despite the heavy snowfall overnight and some very “unswiss” public transport issues, over 1,200 participants made their way to Bern on 22 November to take part in the Forum cinfo 2024. The event featured 18 sessions on current trends and perspectives in international cooperation considering the new financial cuts in the sector.
At Forum cinfo 2024, we explored these shifts and the competencies essential for the future of professionals in this dynamic field.
People interested in working in the sector alongside experienced professionals connected with IC experts and organisations to discover the numerous organisations represented at Forum cinfo.
The career fair presented a unique opportunity for 50 employers from NGOs, multilateral organisations, educational institutions, and foundations to introduce themselves to a diverse audience. For the first time, the WEF and SEM were also present among the organisations. The numerous interactive workshops and sessions welcomed several personalities and experts from the sector and from the Global South.
Quotes
Exhibitors:
“The visitors this year were excellent; relevant educational profiles with relevant experience. Thank you very much for the invitation to participate.”
WHO
Participants:
"I greatly appreciate the efforts of cinfo in bringing together such a diverse and accomplished group of speakers."
“Many thanks for giving us great visibility and opportunities to participate. We had a successful day and saw a good number of prospects. The venue was very good in terms of facilities, access and food :-)”
Geneva Graduate Institute
"An engaging event that serves the goals of both the NGOs and candidates."
Blog Articles on the Forum cinfo 2024
Essential Skills and In-Demand Profiles for Careers in Humanitarian Settings – Experts Give Advice
Experts give advice: explore the essential skills and in-demand profiles needed in humanitarian aid.
The Adapting Role of Global North Professionals in International Cooperation
How professionals and organisations from the Global North must adapt their roles to embed localisation in their actions for a fairer world.
Work-Life Balance in International Cooperation: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities
Work-life balance remains a universal challenge. This article shares key insights from professionals working in the demanding field of international cooperation.
21st-Century Teaching and Learning Competences – Preparing Professionals for What Lies Ahead in International Cooperation
Discover how educational institutions can better prepare young professionals for the dynamic challenges of international cooperation through practical experience, emotional resilience, and cultural competence.
The Future of the Labour Market: Strategies for Professionals to Adapt to New Trend
Experts from NGOs, donors, and educational institutions shared insights on the future of the international cooperation labour market, highlighting key trends, political shifts, and strategies for professionals to stay ahead.
Highlights
Career Coaching and Information at the cinfo Booth
The Forum cinfo gave visitors the opportunity to learn about cinfo’s services at a dedicated information booth. More importantly, cinfo’s career coaches were available throughout the event, offering brief career advice sessions to around 200 participants and guiding them towards relevant organisations present at the forum.
For many visitors, the Forum cinfo is the first step in a longer, structured career support process in international cooperation.
Changemakers: Visitors from Around the World
The ‘Learning Journey’ programme run by cinfo and funded by the Botnar Foundation brought five young changemakers from India, Romania, Tanzania, Colombia and Vietnam to Switzerland this year. As part of the programme, the five took part in Forum cinfo and were speakers at the Meet & Exchange session, explaining how they bring about change in their communities with their projects.
In addition to the interesting conversations and valuable input they shared, some of them also saw snow for the first time!
Shape Your Own Path: a Step Back Leads to a Leap Forward Networking and Career Promotion in the Multilateral Environment
In one session three professionals from very different backgrounds shared their thoughts, hesitations and joy in their personal contributions to the sector. Between inspiration and looking in the rear-view mirror, our panelists encouraged the audience to remain authentic, believe in their abilities, and not hesitate in taking a step or two backwards in order to leap forward!
For the first time, cinfo leveraged the forum as a platform to connect Swiss nationals in multilateral organisations with each other and with key representatives from relevant federal offices.
Various workshops were held to develop measures on how this strategically important exchange could be shaped to benefit Switzerland's multilateral policy in the future. Additionally, discussions focused on how Swiss individuals can receive targeted support to advance their careers and remain within multilateral organisations.
Ambiance
Supporting Professionals and Organisations
Amidst geopolitical changes, complex security situations, and evolving technological trends, the continuous development of professionals and organisations is imperative. cinfo has effectively supported them through coaching, practical workshops, and security advice, among other services, enabling them to achieve their goals with success.
Enhance Essen
tial Competences
In 2024, international cooperation was shaped by global upheavals and changing strategic priorities. These developments have had, and continue to have, a significant impact on the career prospects of professionals worldwide. Over 400 young professionals and seasoned experts have benefited from tailored advice as part of cinfo’s career and coaching services.
This has enabled them to leverage their experience in a targeted manner to successfully manage changes in their roles or abrupt career shifts.
In 2024, cinfo also achieved its goal of supporting clients through their professional transitions and exploring new opportunities together to ensure sustained success.
Inspiring Insights and Realistic Perspectives
In 2024, cinfo organised eight Information and Inspiration Days – in German and French, online and on-site. More than 80 participants benefited from this offer. The workshops provided:
• an introduction to the specifics, requirements, and career opportunities in the international cooperation (IC) job market
• interactive career discussions
• group consultations tailored to the needs of the participants
Additionally, Swiss tertiary institutions, such as Swiss TPH, the universities of Lausanne and St. Gallen, and the Education Centre of Nursing Bern, invited cinfo's career advisors to share information and career advice to their graduates. This initiative also generated significant interest in 2024.
Training and Security Advice for Professionals and Organisations
In 2023, 595 humanitarian workers were victims of serious attacks – as shown by the Humanitarian Worker Security Report 2024 (humanitarianoutcomes. org). Furthermore, the security situation is becoming increasingly complex. Duty of care of organisations towards their employees is therefore more critical than ever. In 2024, cinfo organised several one-day pre-departure security workshops as well as two three-day security training sessions specifically for participants in the UNYV programme.
cinfo also helped several organisations enhance their security management with their expertise and tailored support, and through the "Duty of Care Model Matrix" tool.
Assess the safety and security aspects of your organisation’s Duty of Care
Insightful Surveys and Analyses Shaping the Sector
Knowledge Transfer within Organisations
2024 was marked by several surveys and analyses that are set to reshape how knowlegde is managed and how work is conducted within the sector.
The latest labour market monitoring report and the in-depth study on adult teaching regarding compe-
Knowledge Transfer within Organisations
In 2023, cinfo conducted a collaborative reflection on knowledge management and transfer with representatives from several member organisations. The conclusions drawn from this process contributed to the development of 16 "Think & Design Cards" in 2024. These cards encourage critical thinking, challenge assumptions, and ultimately, drive improvements in organisational knowledge management practices.
As a complement to the cards, cinfo also published four insightful blog articles.
tencies and their transfer will both be published in spring 2025. Additionally, a set of maps developed as part of the knowledge management study offer support for reflection and inspire improvements in this area.
15 Recommendations for Knowledge Institutions
In 2023, cinfo and ETH NADEL jointly published the study Future Trends and Competencies for the Swiss International Cooperation Sector. In 2024, a follow-up survey was conducted with Swiss universities, higher education institutions, and international cooperation organisations, focusing on competencies and teaching methodologies in adult education and professional development. The survey was based on the KSA approach (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes) with particular
emphasis on attitudes (soft skills). Another key topic of the survey was decolonisation, highlighting the (lack of) awareness of systemic issues that foster discrimination within the sector and in educational and training contexts. The results of the survey, along with the 15 recommendations for educational institutions and organisations, will be published in 2025.
Labour Market Knowledge Strengthens Future Prospects
In collaboration with BASS, cinfo conducted a 2024 monitoring of the Swiss international cooperation (IC) labour market, based on statistics from 2021–23. This ongoing initiative aims to provide stakeholders with an overview of the sector. The survey presents Swiss-specific data on job vacancies, jobseekers, employers (with participation from 82
Analysis of Labour Market Monitoring 2024
organisations), and relevant education and training institutions. The monitoring focuses on positions open to Swiss nationals, both at headquarters in Switzerland and as expatriates in deployment countries, but excludes locally recruited staff and unpaid volunteers. It covers specific IC roles as well as supporting functions such as fundraising, HR, and finance.
Key findings indicate sectoral employment growth and new alignments between supply and demand, supported by specific profile analyses. The report also includes a gender analysis of the IC labour market, differences between national and international workforces, and new insights into relevant education and training pathways.
Promoting Young Talent in International Cooperation
Since its founding, the promotion of young talent has been embedded in cinfo’s DNA. Supporting young people in their journey into
Youth Community at the Pulse of the Generation
To better support this mission, cinfo launched a Youth Community. Twenty aspiring young professionals –interested or already active in international cooperation – exchanged views on the professional challenges and opportunities in the sector. This allowed cinfo to feel the “pulse” of the generation and better align its services to their needs. The exchange confirmed that cinfo, with its early-career opportunities for the next generation and thoughtful information about the sector, provides added value and creates direction.
international cooperation and providing information and guidance is one of our core priorities.
Twenty years of “Swiss Youth at the United Nations and the World Bank Group”
In 2004, cinfo was honoured to recruit the first three candidates for federal-funded positions within UN organisations. These 12-month paid UN volunteer placements offer graduates the chance to gain initial international experience in the sector – an experience often lacking for those starting a career in international cooperation.
The programme has grown over the 20 years since its inception: cinfo has successfully recruited and supported 362 young talents in starting their careers.
In 2024 alone, cinfo filled 34 positions in 9 organisations, primarily in the areas of equality, inclusion, and human rights.
JPO
Programme Helps Aspiring
Young Professionals to Enter the UN
Due to reduced funding, the federal-funded Junior Professional Officer (JPO) programme at the United Nations was reduced in 2024. cinfo recruited 11 young Swiss citizens and supported them in starting their UN careers. As noted in previous years, more women applied for the positions. A survey from 2023 also showed around two-thirds of JPOs receive offers for a follow-up contract at the end of the programme.
To foster exchange, cinfo organised three meetings, including one in New York, where 64 JPOs met in person to discuss the programme and challenges faced at the UN.
Collaborative Learning and Exchange for the Future of International Cooperation
Networking, learning from each other, and continuously evolving as individuals, organisations, and as a sector are key priorities for cinfo. Through our two Communities of Practice (CoPs) and the newly launched Localisation Community Platform, we pro-
The Localisation Community Platform Promotes Practical Learning and Exchange
Launched in 2024, the Localisation Community Platform provides organisations seeking to integrate more locally led processes with a space for practice-based learning and exchange. cinfo has organised several webinars featuring global experts to present and discuss research findings. The platform also offers tools, an inventory of resources and initiatives, and gives
vide our member organisations with a platform to exchange insights on current challenges, collaboratively develop methodologies, principles, and knowledge, and explore emerging trends.
members access to case studies and learning materials. However, the core element remains the peer-topeer exchange and collaborative learning. Meetings connect participants from around the world, spanning humanitarian aid, development, research, as well as operational and management roles.
Artificial
Intelligence, Data Protection, and Hybrid Work Models in HR
In 2024, the Community of Practice on People and Organisational Development (PPE) focused on the impact of artificial intelligence on HR processes, the new data protection legislation, and the shaping of hybrid work models. During meetings, HR leaders shared best practices and analysed the opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies in human resources. As of January 2025, the CoP PPE will be renamed CoP HR.
Skills for the Future
EduCop experienced renewed momentum in 2024. Its members, all representatives of education institutions in international cooperation, engaged in in-depth discussions on the skills individuals will need in the future. The group met several times, welcomed new members, and centred its discussions around the groundbreaking findings of the study Future Trends and Competencies for the Swiss International Cooperation Sector, conducted in collaboration with leading researchers and international cooperation experts.
The group also analysed the second study, focusing on competencies and teaching methodologies, which will be published in 2025.
Promotion of Swiss UN Careers through Targeted Measures
cinfo strengthens Swiss presence in multilateral organisations through youth programmes, network promotion, and job application workshops.
In 2024, cinfo also studied best practices from other countries and conducted a tracer study on three youth programmes.
Youth Programmes Promote UN Careers
In a tracer study, cinfo evaluated the impact of three youth programmes (UNYV/UNV/JPO) on the career paths of participants from 2014 to 2024. The study highlights the key factors contributing to successful assignment and identifies areas for programme improvement.
It is encouraging that many participants continue to work in the multilateral system directly after their assignment, even after 2, 5, and 7 years. This clearly indicates that youth programmes significantly strengthen long-term Swiss presence in multilateral organisations.
How Do Other Countries Support Their Nationals in the UN System?
On behalf of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), cinfo investigated how other countries support their nationals in UN careers, and derived recommendations from the conclusions. The study found that countries that successfully promote their presence among UN employees implement five key practices:
• professionalising presence promotion through strategy and leadership
• maintaining a strong network of nationals in the UN system
• fostering youth talent (bottom-up)
• supporting higher-ranking UN employees (top-down)
• ensuring access to the national social security system
Network for Swiss Women in Multilateral Organisations
The greater the connectivity among Swiss nationals within multilateral organisations and with the Swiss government, the higher the chance they will remain in the multilateral system.
To facilitate this, cinfo proactively supported the network of Swiss women in multilateral organisations, WomIN+ in 2024. We organised networking events and increased the visibility of this network among federal partners and Swiss women in the multilateral system.
Successful “How to Apply Workshops” for Swiss Candidates
In 2024, cinfo conducted three “How to Apply Workshops” in collaboration with the multilateral organisations, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNICEF, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), World Bank Group (WBG), and UN Volunteers (UNV).
Pre-selected and competitive Swiss candidates received first-hand information and advice on how to improve their chances in the job application process. The partner organisations were extremely satisfied with the quality of the candidates. The participants themselves rated the events positively, considering the information provided to be of high quality.
Excellence in Talent Recruitment
The cinfoPoste Talent Pool continues to steadily evolve. While there was a slight decrease in the number of profiles, their quality has risen significantly.
Highly Qualified Professionals for International Cooperation
In 2024, the cinfoPoste Talent Pool comprised 14,000+ profiles, including more than 6'000 Swiss nationals, with a gender distribution of 44% male and 46% female profiles. Despite a slight reduction in numbers, the quality remained exceptional: 5,400+ are senior professionals, and more than 1,400 executives are seeking new challenges in the international cooperation
In 2024, our recruitment services were predominantly utilised for filling leadership positions. Through targeted recruitment and our strong platform, we made a significant contribution to staffing key roles.
sector. With a highly qualified and specialised candidate base, the cinfoPoste Talent Pool was widely regarded as a unique and indespensable platform for targeted recruitment in the sector.
Attractive Job Posting Platform for Organisations
The number of organisations posting job vacancies on cinfoPoste remained stable in 2024. However, the number of advertised positions exceeded expectations by 26%, largely due to the proactive outreach to smaller NGOs and Swiss embassies promoting free internship postings. Job slot sales have declined, reflecting an overall reduction in vacancies across the sector. However, the platform continues to generate interest and attract new users.
Placement of Leadership Positions
In 2024, cinfo predominantly recruited for executive roles, with 85% of the positions being high-level, including two CEOs and a board member. This reflects the trust Swiss organisations place in our expertise. The demand underscores cinfo’s ability to leverage the talent pool, LinkedIn, and our extensive network to identify top leadership talent and ensure an optimal fit for each role.
Eigerstrasse 57
3007 Bern
+41 (0) 32 365 80 02 info@cinfo.ch www.cinfo.ch
Text: Team cinfo
Photos: Matthias Käser
Layout: Maya Freymond