Staff Development Director
Duration: 
3 years
Start Date: 
1 November 2023
End Date: 
30 November 2026
Deadline for applications: 
14 May 2023
Closed position

The Staff Development Director (also called Deputy Director for Staff Development or SDD) is a member of the Senior Leadership Team of the Centre. As Deputy Director for Staff Development, they are directly responsible for the management of one of the Centre’s most important resources—staff. The SDD is in charge of staff recruitment, developing and coordinating staff training, staff administration and planning of staff needs. They also directly manage Short Term Staff, High Season Staff and Helpers. The SDD helps with setting the operational goals for the Centre, and assists with executing the strategic development goals, in both the short and long-term, as set out by the KISC General Assembly and KISC Association Committee. If you are interested in managing, leading, developing and taking care of a group of international volunteers, enjoy organising and administrative tasks, and want to get an insight on how to lead and manage an organisation, we look forward to your application.

Requirements

  • Needs to be at least 24 years old
  • Is a member of an Association recognised by WOSM/WAGGGS
  • Fluent in written and spoken English

Skills & Qualifications

Essential

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work within an international team of volunteers
  • Ability to motivate and lead a team of volunteers
  • Leadership & Management skills such as self-organisation, self-motivation, stress resistance, work planning, budgeting and financial control
  • Computer literacy, proficiency with Microsoft Office Applications
  • Demonstrated professional, disciplined and efficient approach to work and planning
  • Ability to simultaneously manage several areas
  • Ability to work well under pressure and within strict timelines
  • Willingness to work according to a flexible schedule
  • Experience in handling staff feedback and complaints

Desirable

  • Has previously been a member of the staff team at KISC
  • Experience in people management
  • Experience related to budgeting and basic financial management
  • Volunteer management or other Human Resources experience
  • Ability to communicate in German
  • Experience in running training sessions
  • Holds a driver’s licence

Main tasks

Main tasks

  • Manage all matters related to Short Term Staff, High Season Staff, and Helpers including communications, applications, administration, management and appraisals
  • Manage Long Term Staff administration, including work agreements, pre-arrival communications
  • Develop all administration, procedures and policies in relation to Staff
  • Ensure a quality Staff experience by managing all Staff services including Staff programme, accommodation, and other benefits
  • Support other Senior Leadership Team members with Staff issues
  • Organise Long Term Staff training for new staff, KISC Academy, Short Term Staff Seasonal Training and other training for High Season Staff and Helpers. Identify and develop the Centre’s training needs
  • Oversee Staff planning for major events
  • Deputise the Director in their absence

Other responsibilities

  • Ensure a high standard of guest service at all times
  • Deal with any guest enquiries relating to the Centre
  • Run and develop staff training
  • Assist in other areas of the Centre where necessary
  • Involve in the execution of the Centre’s Operational Plan
  • Work and communicate effectively with all staff and guests
  • Flexibility in working hours according to the needs of the Centre

Management

Scope of management responsibilities and decision making

  • Knows the teams and Centre goals, standards, policies and procedures which include familiarity with other teams
  • Agrees on the timing of physical presence at the Centre with the Director ensuring continuous management attention during normal operational hours
  • Is sensitive to the interrelations of both people and functions within the Centre
  • On a regular and continuous basis, exercises administrative judgment and assumes responsibility for decisions, consequences, and results having an impact on people, costs, and/or quality of service
  • Authority to spend up to CHF 1’000 within the budget

General management

The Staff Development Director is part of the Senior Leadership Team within the Centre, together with the Director and three other Deputy Directors, Infrastructure and Finance Director, Programme Director and Guest Services Director.

Line manager

The line manager for this position is the Director. The Staff Development Director has regular meetings with the line manager to cover operational matters, and also has regular one-on-one appraisals.

Team management

The Staff Development Director will have regular contact with other members of the Senior Leadership Team and Long-Term Staff team and it is essential to build a good working relationship and honest communication with them.

Staff management

The Staff Development Director manages and supervises the Short Term Staff, High Season Staff and Helpers.
The Staff Development Director is the line manager of the Administration Assistant. A part-time employee responsible for staff administration.

Practical information

Insurance

  • Accident Insurance (provided by the Centre): All staff are insured for accidents, both work and non-work related over the duration of the contract.
  • Private Liability Insurance (provided by the Centre): This insurance covers any damage caused by any staff on an object or person.
  • Sickness Insurance (provided by the Centre): All LTS will get private sickness insurance if necessary. The deductible (amount each LTS has to cover per calendar year themselves) is, if nothing else mentioned, CHF 300.-. This insurance covers any treatment due to sickness.
  • Social Insurance according to the Swiss Law (provided by the Centre): Every LTS must have Social Insurance according to the Swiss regulations. This includes invalidity insurance, maternity leave and old-age and survivors' insurance (OASI). More information will be given during training.

Benefits

  • A basic flat in the Kandersteg village
  • All meals at the Centre, both while at work and on days off
  • 2 days off per week and 20 days of holidays per year
  • A Swiss Pass (50% discount card for transportation in Switzerland)
  • Pocket money in the region of 1,200 CHF per month       
  • Management and leadership training
  • Administration of work permits
  • Other benefits as detailed here on our website

Important information

Visa

  • Citizens of EU/EFTA countries do not need a visa, and the Centre secures the necessary work permit.
  • For citizens of non EU/EFTA countries we would need to apply for a working VISA for you to be able to work at KISC. Assuming you are suitable for the role and fulfil specific requirements set by the Swiss authorities, there is a possibility to get a visa for a longer contract.
  • The employment is dependent on securing the necessary special permission from the Swiss authorities.

Testimonials

Belinda

Belinda

France
Staff Development Director
In my role as Staff Development Director, I was coordinating and managing all tasks needed to ensure a safe, caring and learning environment for all types of volunteers coming to KISC. From meals and accommodation to development tools and training, I collaborated with different positions at the centre to ensure and follow up all of those. That meant teamwork, broad communications skills and flexibility as well as creativity since we work with about 40 different nationalities and up to 200 different people each year. Being passionate about empowering young people helped me a lot to fulfil this role. I have learned a lot about people and emotions management. I have also improved my organisation skills and decision making ability from being deputy director and part of the Senior Management Team.