The Swiss public sector
- Confederation: 38,000 employees (FDFA, EAER, FDHA, FDJP, DETEC, FDF)
- Cantons: 200,000 employees (administration, justice, health, education)
- Communes: 140,000 employees (technical services, civil status, social)
- Salaries: transparent grids, seniority-based progression, job security
- Public CLAs: detailed cantonal conventions (FPA at federal level)
International organisations (Geneva)
- UN and agencies (UNOG, UNHCR, ILO, WMO, WIPO): 13,000 employees
- WHO: 4,000 employees
- WTO: 700 employees
- ICRC and IFRC: 3,000 employees
- CERN: 2,600 employees
- Satellite organisations (IOM, UNAIDS, ITU): several thousand
IO salaries are in USD or CHF, often with benefits (housing, schools, medical).
Leading agencies
Adecco Public Sector — temp and permanent placement for cantons and cities.
Manpower Public — broad public sector coverage, short missions.
PageGroup Public Sector — executive placement for administration and IOs.
ICTjob.ch / Publicjobs.ch — specialised public sector and IO platforms.
Eures (European network) — for EU profiles interested in the Swiss public sector.
Robert Walters International Organisations — focus on Geneva IOs, English-speaking profiles.
Profiles and salary grids
Confederation (scale 1-31):
- Scale 9-12: CHF 65-85K (administrative employees)
- Scale 18-21: CHF 100-140K (mid-level executives)
- Scale 24-27: CHF 150-200K (senior executives)
- Scale 30-31: CHF 200-280K (directors)
Cantons (variable, Vaud and Zurich more generous):
- Class 1-5: CHF 60-80K
- Class 10-13: CHF 95-135K
- Class 18-22: CHF 150-220K
International organisations (UN grades):
- P-1 / P-2: USD 75-100K
- P-3: USD 95-130K
- P-4: USD 120-160K
- P-5: USD 150-200K
- D-1 / D-2: USD 180-250K + allowances
IOs often offer very complete packages: housing, international schools, medical, pension.
Recruitment process
Public and IO processes are long and formalised:
- Entry exams for certain functions (Confederation, judiciary)
- Systematic written tests, orals, panels
- Timelines: 4-9 months on average, sometimes more
- Strict criteria: diplomas, experience, languages, criminal record
- International mobility: mandatory in IOs (rotation every 3-6 years)
Prepare for a marathon, not a sprint.
Tips for collaborating well
- European format CV or UN format (Personal History P.11) depending on target
- Detailed cover letter: required in 95% of processes
- Master the languages: FR + DE essential at federal level, EN + FR for IOs
- Mention civic engagement: volunteering, associations, military service
- Anticipate security: for Confederation and ICRC, deep background checks
Mistakes to avoid
- Applying via spontaneous application outside official process: ignored 99% of the time
- Underestimating the role of languages: a non-bilingual federal civil servant plateaus quickly
- Confusing Swiss administration and IOs: different cultures, salaries, requirements
- Neglecting alumni networks (IHEID, ETHZ, EPFL, Universities): weigh heavily on the public sector
The Swiss public sector offers stability, meaning, and long-term benefits. IOs add international dimension and global impact. Both demand patience and rigour in application.
