District Manager Garden and Society including Programme Management, 50%

The HEKS Office of both Basel is committed through its programme work to the observance of human rights and equal opportunities for all people in the Basel region. With great dedication and innovation, we promote an inclusive society in which all people can actively participate. We work role-based in an agile circle structure.

The circle "Garden and Society" comprises two programmes: "HEKS New Gardens of both Basel" and "HEKS MasKu – Being a Man Between Cultures – Men's Garden".

The programmes enable refugees and other socioeconomically disadvantaged persons to access biodiverse green spaces, creating opportunities for better health, social participation, and education. At the same time, residents from the communities and districts are warmly invited to garden together and actively contribute.

In the men's garden, men with migration or refugee experience in Basel find a place where they can settle, build trust, and exchange about their daily lives. The men's garden offers a low-threshold meeting point that combines practical gardening with moderated discussion rounds.

For this versatile role, we are looking for a

• Responsibility for the operational and financial success of the programmes "New Gardens" and "MasKu – Men's Garden" as well as the circle "Garden and Society"
• Leading a committed team currently consisting of 3 gardening specialists, 3 intercultural mediators, and volunteers, ensuring smooth information and communication flow within the team and the office
• Strengthening the circle in strategic and professional matters and sharing responsibility with the team for ensuring and further developing the offer
• Close collaboration with the head of the Basel office and other programme and circle managers, including at the regional level
• Participation in the development and implementation of the regional strategy
• Representation of HEKS in internal and external expert committees, commissions, and networks
• Building and maintaining networks and cooperation with partner organisations, institutions, specialist offices, and authorities, as well as engagement in professional work
• Responsibility for fundraising and resource acquisition, as well as participation in the development and implementation of corresponding measures
• Planning and conducting awareness-raising and public relations work
• Occasional representation and work in the community gardens

• Recognised training in organic horticulture, e.g. agronomy, biology, environmental sciences, or a federal vocational certificate in a green profession, as well as practical experience in the care of (vegetable) gardens
• Experience in project management, business administration, and leadership
• Transcultural competencies and experience in the migration field
• Interest in agile collaboration models, ideally complemented by practical experience
• An initiative-taking, independent, and resilient personality with an appreciative and solution-oriented attitude
• Strong communication and networking skills for internal and external collaboration
• Good IT user skills and digital affinity, as well as interest in actively shaping the digital transformation in the organisation
• Fluent German; multilingualism is an advantage
• Team-oriented, flexible, and reliable working style, as well as the ability to maintain an overview even in demanding situations

• A responsible and varied role in a dynamic organisation committed to social justice and the preservation of human dignity in Switzerland and worldwide
• Scope for creativity and responsibility in the further development of programmes and the specialist area
• Modern and flexible working conditions
• A collegial and competent working environment with motivated and committed colleagues
• A meaningful role with societal impact
• The opportunity to develop and implement new ideas together with a dedicated team

Would you like to join the HEKS team? We look forward to receiving your application by 23 October 2026 via our application tool . Please understand that applications by email or post cannot be processed.

For further information, please contact April Walker, Head of the HEKS Office of both Basel april.walker@heks.ch , Tel. 061 367 94 08, as well as the current post holder Flurina Müller flurina.mueller@heks.ch , Tel. 061 367 94 44. 

Further information about the New Gardens of both Basel and MasKu programmes can be found at:

MasKu Men's Garden | HEKS

HEKS New Gardens of both Basel | HEKS