Job description for the Camp Director of Kandersteg International

Scout Centre

Employment and lines of reporting

The Director is employed by the World Scout Bureau as a member of the European
Scout Region staff. For European projects and matters he/she is responsible to the
Director of the European Scout Region. The Camp Director manages the centre
according the guidelines of the committee of the Kandersteg International Scout
Centre Association and reports to the their Chairman of the Steering committee for all
matters concerning the centre. Together with the Director of the European Scout
Region and the Chairman of the Steering committee a joint meeting takes place
every 6 month in order to address and co-ordinate all work related matters.

General objective of the position

The Director is responsible for the overall running of the centre according to the
guidelines of the Kandersteg Committee.

Specific tasks

Overnights
• Overall direction of the centre’s overnight operation

Activity programme
• Overall direction of the centre’s activity programme
• Implementation of appropriate safety strategy in relation to the activities

Catering
• Overall direction of the centre’s catering operation

Shop
• Overall direction of the centre’s shop operation

Staff
• Selection and employment of staff
• Management of staff, including provision of appropriate training and development
opportunities

Kandersteg Association
• Administration of the Kandersteg International Scout Centre Association
• Maintenance of contacts and relations with current and potential members
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Relations
• General representation of the centre
• Maintenance of relations with local, cantonal and national authorities
• Maintenance of contacts with the Kandersteg Committee members, Kandersteg
supporters, the World Scout Bureau, its European Office and national
associations
• Representation of the centre at local, national, European and world events

Marketing
• Development of the marketing strategy together with the Committee
• Implementation and supervision of marketing activities

Finances
• Preparation and control of yearly budget
• Supervision of book keeping and yearly closing of the accounts
• Supervision of preparation of financial statements (VAT, social security)
• Preparation of financial reporting to the committee
• Identification of additional sources of funds
• Support of fund raising efforts of the Kandersteg Scout Centre Foundation

Maintenance
• Long term planning of maintenance needs
• Preparation of investment proposals for approval by the committee
• Organisation and supervision of cleaning and maintenance work done by staff or
outside contractors

Europe
• Coordination and supervision of the yearly staff management conference held in
Kandersteg
• Coordination, supervision and follow up of the European Scout and Guide Centre
managers’ Conference, held every 2 years
• Coordinating the European Scout Voluntary Programme
• Participation in at least 4 European staff meetings in Geneva, as well as the staff
management conference
• Participation in the European and World Scout conference
• Contribution to the general reflection of the European Scout Region, particularly
to the work on the Youth Programme
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Desired Qualifications
• Experience and capability in leading and managing people
• Excellent communication abilities in spoken and written English and German as
well as basic knowledge of French.
• Understanding of operational economics
• Experience in a commercial environment (administration, finance, book keeping,
public relations, etc.)
• Experience of working in a NPO (Non-Profit Organisation) and youth work
environment
• Capability to work with and in a multi cultural team
• Successful activities in the Scout movement
• Experience in tourism
• Physical fitness
• Aged 25 – 40

Conditions of Employment
The successful candidate will have to take up residence in Kandersteg. Further
information about the conditions of employment and salary will be provided upon
request.
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Information about Kandersteg International Scout Centre

The Centre
Kandersteg International Scout Centre welcomes up to 10’000 Scouts and Guides
from all over the world each year for about 55’000 overnights. It has indoor
accommodation for up to 250 people in two buildings and a 16 hectare campsite with
space for about 1’200 people.

The Kandersteg International Scout Centre Association is responsible for the running
of the centre while the Kandersteg International Scout Centre Foundation owns all
the property and is acting as landlord.

The centre is open year round and the work load is clearly higher in the “high”
season of Christmas/New Year, February, Easter Pentecost, July and August. Around
70% of the overnights for the year are recorded in the two month of July and August.

The centre’s turnover is currently about SFr. 1.7 million and is mainly generated from
overnights, catering, programme activities and souvenir shop sales. A small part is
generated by member fees and donations.

The centre places a strong emphasis on providing a high quality activity programme
for the benefit of Scouts and Guides staying at the centre. The programme is based
on the themes of International Friendship, High Alpine Adventure and Environment.
In addition, the centre endeavours to implement the programme initiatives of the
World Organisations and its European Region.

The director is assisted by a team of about 10 – 15 permanent staff who work at the
centre for periods between 6 month and several years. In addition, teams of
international voluntary staff work at the centre for a period of 3 months during each of
the four seasons. During summer the voluntary staff team has up to 30 members.
English is the working language.

The village Kandersteg

Kandersteg is situated in the Bernese Oberland at an altitude of 1’200 meters above
sea level. The village is surrounded by mountains up to a height of 3’700 meters. The
main source of income for the 900 inhabitants is tourism and there are around 15
hotels. In winter there are two little downhill ski areas and an extensive network of
cross country trails. In summer Kandersteg is an excellent starting point for many
mountain hikes and climbing tours. Kandersteg is one hour from Bern by car or train
and is situated on the Frankfurt – Bern – Lötschberg – Simplon – Milan railway line.