Project Assistant for higher education access for migrants, 40-60%, permanent

The French version is available at the bottom of the page.

Start date 1 January 2027 or by arrangement

The Verband der Schweizer Studierendenschaften VSS is the national umbrella organization of student organizations in Switzerland. It advocates for equal opportunities and non-discriminatory access to higher education. With this objective, it coordinates several projects to promote higher education access for persons with a migration background.

These include:

• Perspektiven - Studium : Since 2016, the project has been supporting refugees interested in studying on their way to a Swiss university, informing and sensitizing professionals and accompanying universities in the creation and expansion of support offers. Through advocacy work, the project also advocates for better framework conditions for refugee prospective students and students.
• Students at Risk (StAR) : The program aims to offer at-risk students worldwide, who are denied or hindered the right to education in their country of origin or residence, an opportunity to start or complete their studies in Switzerland. With the VSS StAR program, Switzerland makes a contribution to the international freedom of teaching and research.

Your tasks
As a project assistant, you will support the project managers of Perspektiven - Studium and Students At Risk in various areas of project work. Your tasks specifically include:

• Communication and media work: Writing and editing social media posts, updating the website, and assisting in the creation and editing of project publications (German/French)
• Advising refugees and at-risk students: Written and telephone advice on questions regarding higher education access, support with funding applications to supporting foundations, reviewing applications for the Students At Risk program
• Support with training/workshops for refugees, professionals, and university members
• Research and preparation of information for various work areas
• Support with fundraising
• Taking responsibility for clearly defined sub-tasks or sub-projects
• Administrative tasks and organizational work (e.g., for events)

Your profile

• Very good oral and written skills in German or French as well as good knowledge of the other language; good English skills
• Advanced or completed Bachelor's degree
• Initial relevant professional experience, for example in the areas of administration, communication, or project work; experience in fundraising is an advantage
• Strong editorial skills and very good communication skills
• Interest in the topics of migration, asylum & integration; knowledge of Swiss migration and asylum policy is an advantage
• Independent, reliable, and structured way of working
• Willingness to take on responsibility and to familiarize yourself with different subject areas
• Good user knowledge of Microsoft Office programs; knowledge of WordPress is an advantage
• Enjoyment of working with different stakeholders and of a versatile activity at the interface of education, migration & integration

We offer

• A versatile and meaningful activity with social relevance
• The opportunity to gain insight into various areas of project work and to gain experience in project management
• Space for independent work and the opportunity to take responsibility for your own areas of responsibility
• CHF 5'447.- at a 100 % workload, including a 13th month's salary and an adjustment to the inflation rate
• Flexible working hours and a 40-hour week with 5 weeks of vacation per year
• Progressive working conditions and a modern, centrally located workplace in Bern

Depending on the desired degree of employment, it is possible to combine this position with the position of the person responsible for accreditation and quality assurance. Please note this in your application. Further info on this can be found here.
The VSS stands for inclusion and diversity. With us, it matters who you are and what you do, regardless of origin, political affiliation, or other characteristics. Diverse perspectives and diverse representations enrich our association and support us in better representing the concerns of all students.

Do you want to invest your experience and energy in higher education access for student refugees and students from conflict areas?

Send your application by 11 November 2026 to info@vss-unes.ch.

The interview sessions will take place on 23 November in Bern.

If you have any questions, the co-project managers of Perspektiven - Studium Nora Burla until 9.10, 079 761 56 53 | nora.burla@vss-unes.ch and Sabine Zurschmitten from 12.10, 079 457 52 85 | sabine.zurschmitten@vss-unes.ch and the project manager of Students At Risk Leonie Mugglin 031 382 11 71 | studentsatrisk@vss-unes.ch are happy to assist you by telephone or email.

En français:

Date d'entrée en fonction : 1er janvier 2027 ou à convenir

L-Union des étudiant·e·s de Suisse UNES est l-organisation faîtière nationale des associations d-étudiant·e·s en Suisse. Elle s-engage en faveur de l-égalité des chances et d-un accès sans discrimination à l-enseignement supérieur. Dans cette optique, elle coordonne plusieurs projets visant à favoriser l-accès à l-enseignement supérieur des personnes avec un parcours migratoire. Parmi ceux-ci figurent :

• Perspectives - Études : depuis 2016, ce projet accompagne les personnes réfugiées souhaitant faire des études dans leur parcours vers une haute école suisse. Il informe et sensibilise les professionnel·le·s et aide les hautes écoles à mettre en place et à développer des offres de soutien. Grâce à un travail de plaidoyer, le projet m