Annual report 2015

President’s report

3

In 2015, a series of attacks and an influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees shook Europe to the core and showed that we cannot stand at a distance from history and the rest of the world. Europe must increase its involvement in conflict resolution and similarly, Switzerland will also have to increase its efforts in humanitarian aid and peacebuilding.

However, this cannot happen at the expense of development cooperation. The global community reached an agreement on this crucial issue in the same year. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development defined a primary guiding framework for all multilateral and bilateral activities. Switzerland was actively involved in the success of the agreement and is now obliged to contribute towards implementing these seventeen ambitious goals. The Federal Council’s message pertaining to international cooperation 2017–2020 affirmed its commitment. We are confident that the majority of Swiss citizens will support this involvement.

The parameters for developing Swiss human capital within international cooperation are hereby redefined: first, the need for qualified professionals with mobility and experience in fragile contexts will continue to rise. Second, apart from professional, business, and administrative skills, development cooperation actors will also have to demonstrate a profound understanding of the interaction of the seventeen sustainability goals. This is the only way that the ambitious New York memo-randum of understanding can be put into practice.

In 2015 cinfo took these new developments into account in the strategic review of its activities, and is presently discussing the implications with SDC and other stakeholders. With the service agreement integrating both the FDFA’s Human Security Division and SECO, the first step towards greater interdisciplinary transparency and cooperation has already been made.

The ongoing strategy development process has further attested cinfo’s already established position as a central information platform for all individuals and organisations involved in the Swiss IC labour market and as a provider of career counselling and further training. We would like to conduct further quali-tative research into personnel issues in order to continually improve our response to the management and planning needs of cinfo Network members and strengthen our position as a centre of competence for labour market issues.

I would like to thank the management and board members for their collegial cooperation. Thanks are due above all to the entire team for their solid, empathetic and creative performance over the past year. It is this tireless commitment that gives the slogan «sustainability begins at cinfo» a tangible relevance, encouraging the Foundation Board to look to the future with confidence.

Angelo GnädingerPresident cinfo Foundation

Members of the Foundation Board(at 31.12.2015)

Angelo Gnädinger, PresidentMargrit Schenker, Vice-PresidentChristine Beerli-KoppDavid KellerJean-Noël WetterwaldErich WiggerAnne Zwahlen

Redaction / Layoutcinfo

PhotosFrontpage, p. 4 and 5: cinfo / Marcel KaufmannP. 2, 3 and 10: cinfo / Benjamin Lanz

IllustrationsP. 8 and 9: cinfo / Roland Siegenthaler

Graficscinfo

www.cinfo.ch

June 2016

Centre for Information, Counselling and Training for Professions relating to International Cooperation

Rue Centrale 115 | Case postale2500 Bienne 7, Switzerland+41 32 365 80 02info@cinfo.ch | www.cinfo.ch

cinfo reflects back on an eventful 2015, in which we managed to develop the foundation according to the 2012–2017 strategy and to reinforce our role as a centre of competence for the Swiss IC labour market.

cinfo continued to promote the presence of Swiss nationals in the UNO and international financial

institutions with SDC’s Global Institutions Division. We worked more intensively with SDC’s directorate for corporate resources, on selection competitions for diplomats, consular staff and IC young talent, as well as on Family Office offers for accompa-nying persons. SECO’s resumption of the JPO Programme for International Financial Institutions boosted HR marketing and recruitment commissions in 2015.

Federal actors that are integrated into the service agreement, including recently the Human Security Division of the FDFA and SECO, cover the areas of development cooperation, humanitarian aid, human security, and economic cooperation and development, which correspond with cinfo’s information mandate.

In 2015 cinfo further evolved into a multimedia network organisation: new e-learning programmes and online informa-tion events took place. Preparation for the new web presence, www.cinfo.ch, led to a successful relaunch in April 2016.

A further highlight was the well-attended symposium entitled «Distance opens up horizons – new rules of virtual collaboration» in Bern in autumn. This event also marked cinfo’s 25-year anniversary.

cinfo’s network currently has 32 members, five of whom joined in 2015. Joint projects of the past year, such as the third issue of the labour market report, a salaries benchmark, and the systematisation of education and further training offers, were met with keen interest. In touch with latest developments, cinfo stands for innovation, continuity and quality in service provision.

Lisa IslerDirector

Report of activities

«In 2015 cinfo reinforced its role as a centre of competence for the IC labour market.»

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Information activities in all language regionscinfo provided information on the Swiss IC labour market, career planning, and career opportunities with the UNO and international financial institutions. Focus areas included: ▪ collaborating with the «Schweizerischen

Dienstleistungszentrum Berufsbildung (SDBB)» on the prospect «Internationale Studien»;

▪ increased cooperation with FOSIT ( Federazione delle ONG della Svizzera italiana), Ticino.

Actively promoting young talentPromoting junior professionals in IC was an important focus for cinfo in 2015. We supported the federal government and other clients with personnel recruitment. ▪ Analysis of 282 application files for pre-

selection into FDFA’s admission competition for the diplomatic and consular careers and the IC junior talent programme.

▪ Preselection for 19 JPO positions with UNO and international financial institutions on behalf of FDFA and SECO.

▪ Preselection and preparation of 15 UN youth volunteers for assignments in Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia.

▪ Recruitment for junior positions on behalf of the SRC.

Workshop for local staff in South Africacinfo held a workshop for local employees of SDC’s Cooperation Office in Pretoria, South Africa. The main focus was on assessing participants’ current situation and professional perspectives, an enriching experience for all. ▪ cinfo advisers and a South African consultant

held courses over three days. ▪ 14 participants reflected on their professional

situations and explored their personal values, skills, aims and next steps.

Read the report on www.cinfo.ch → HR consul-ting → Personnel development.

Security and stress coursesFor many IC staff, working in fragile contexts and under pressure is a daily reality. Therefore, in 2015 cinfo again prepared staff on safety and dealing with stress before assignments. ▪ 104 community service participants in eight

special pre-departure courses. ▪ New security and stress management course

for NGO employees. ▪ Dialogue with NGOs to further develop

training courses.

Extensive information on IFIsInternational financial institutions (IFIs) offer a range of IC employment opportunities. On behalf of SECO, cinfo informs and supports interested parties with new and updated information. ▪ New publications on this type of employer

and career development possibilities. ▪ Online information on each institution,

entrance possibilities, working conditions, application processes and recruitment.

▪ Swiss employees’ reports of their experiences.

Read more on www.cinfo.ch → Working world of IC → Working with International Financial Institutions.

CAS «Internationale Zusammenarbeit»The first CAS, conducted in collaboration with the ZHAW, was a success. Professionals from IC and other areas attained the qualification, thereby extending and developing their leader-ship skills for their work in IC. ▪ 12 participants. ▪ 30 course days, 8 of which took place at

cinfo’s offices in Bienne.

Third labour market reportThe third labour market report highlighted new trends and constants in the Swiss IC job market. ▪ Market statistics, including employers, open

positions, and training opportunities. ▪ Focus on «Genève internationale» as the

capital city of Swiss IC. ▪ Newly available in English.

For further details, see page 7 or read the entire report on www.cinfo.ch.

2015 cinfo SymposiumVirtual communication and collaboration makes everyday work easier and opens new horizons. At the same time, it can introduce new challen-ges. IC professionals from management, IT and operations came together for a symposium in October, entitled «Distance opens up horizons – new rules of virtual collaboration». ▪ 40 participants. ▪ The programme contained specialist inputs

and real-life examples. ▪ Ample opportunities for networking and

exchange.Read more about this topic on pages 8–9.

Popular on social mediaA 2015 questionnaire revealed that followers of cinfo on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter appreciated the content posted. Increased activity on these channels has therefore been productive. ▪ Particularly popular posts included career

themes, information on recruitment processes, and news from the world of IC.

▪ Over 60 % of followers are active in IC. ▪ 80 % would like to develop further in this

area.

Jobs portal cinfoPosteThe popular cinfoPoste jobs portal once again brought together jobseekers and recruiters in 2015. ▪ A 2015 questionnaire revealed that cinfo met

90 % of clients’ expectations. ▪ Around 50 % found that the portal assisted

with finding the right profile.More facts and figures about cinfoPoste are available on page 6.

cinfoPoste 2015: who sought whom?

6 7

Sought professional areas(multiple responses possible)

Economics and law 24 % Social sciences and humanities 21 % HR / Administration and finance 8 % Media and communication 8 % Health and medicine 7 % Natural sciences 7 % Business administration and management 6 % Education and teaching 6 % Agriculture and forestry 4 % Technical and IT 3 % Social work 2 % Other 2 % Logistics 1 % Construction 1 %

Number of advertising organisations 187Number of advertisements 1’937

Per roleSpecialist 51 %Voluntary specialist 31 %Interns and juniors 14 %Management 3 %Consultants 1%

Per type of organisation NGOs 60 %International organisations 21 %State actors 16 %Educational and research institutions 2 %Private actors 1 %

Per region(multiple responses possible)Switzerland 28 %Africa 33 %Asia (without Central Asia) 13 %North America 8 %Europe (without CH) 7 %Latin America 7 %Central America and the Caribbean 3 %Central Asia 1 %

Subscribers to cinfoPoste-jobletter

4'540

The long-established Swiss jobs portal for international cooperation connects employers and jobseekers. Happily, demand and

recognition have continued to rise, in spite of competition from abroad.

Findings from the 2015 labour market report

cinfo’s regular Swiss IC labour market report provides an overview of and insight into the sector’s development. The current issue is based on surveys and analyses conducted in 2013 and 2014. The focus is on Geneva, which over the past decades has become a significant hub for international organisations. Some highlights from the report:

Global developments

Tomorrow’s IC workforce will: ▪ increasingly work in a ‘matrix’, i.e. in collaboration with partner organisations (NGOs, INGOs, and IGOs), national authorities, and civil society.

▪ increasingly work together «virtually», which, along with opportunities, also brings potential risks such as social distancing without emotional connection, intercultural misunderstandings and boundary issues (constant availability).

▪ work «from» instead of «for» the population. Over time, local employees themselves will become like expatriates.

▪ demonstrate more «talent-» than «competency-based» qualities. Increasingly in demand will be the ability to handle fragile contexts and situations, uncertainty and lack of predictability, and strategic challenges, as well as a knowledge of virtual communication channels, and skills in guiding rather than leading, and innovative thinking rather than repeating what has been learned.

▪ need to become ever more competitive because of the increasing global race for talent.

Challenges for Switzerland

The Swiss IC labour market remains an employers’ market, with a comparatively larger number of job seekers than vacancies. Employers can choose from a wide range of highly educated and increasingly specialised candidates, the majority of whom hold tertiary qualifications. Challenging positions in fragile contexts, and those requiring a specific mix of competencies, remain difficult to fill.

Observations and anticipated changes

In response to the relatively small offer of IC positions, jobseekers expand their search criteria, i.e. by not seeking exclusively within IC. For the first time, interest in the development cooperation (DC) fields of human rights and peacebuilding has exceeded that of humanitarian aid (HA).

The number of advertised positions where IC work experience is a prerequisite is in constant decline. In the search for new employees, the relevant educational background is becoming more desirable than work experience.

Between 2005 and 2011, academic and further education institutions constantly built on IC-related offers. A mild market saturation has since been observed. In contrast, the number of IC-specific postgraduate studies has grown steadily. In line with this, the number of graduates has also increased. The observed increase on the cinfoPoste jobs portal in the number of jobseekers with a background in development cooperation appears to be a result of this trend.

In both IC-related and IC-specific fields, female graduates outnumber males, but more male professionals are active in the Swiss IC job market. This contrast is even more obvious in the field of humanitarian aid: while employers particularly often search for professionals with IC-specific training, which significantly more women than men possess, in reality a lot less women than men are employed.

With this backdrop, it remains to be seen whether: ▪ employers will increasingly fall back on IC training course graduates;

▪ the number of training courses on offer will be aligned with the demand;

▪ the surplus of female graduates will find employment in the IC labour market;

▪ newly qualified IC professionals may ultimately be unable to realise their potential in the Swiss market.

The latest issue of the 2013/2014 Report on the Swiss Labour Market in IC ( published 2015) can be found on www.cinfo.ch.

Focus topic

Virtual collaboration and distance learning

Physical distance becomes less important as virtual information exchange takes place in real time and feedback is immediately available. This brings both challenges and opportunities in the IC field – for employers, employees, and also cinfo. Thus, in 2015 the cinfo Symposium was dedicated to this theme. Experience with e-learning and virtual collaboration had already been incorporated into our training and recruitment work.

Institutional boundaries within the IC field have become blurred with these technological developments. Employee and team knowledge is currently influenced by interpersonal exchanges both within and outside of the organisation. Employees complete tasks using formal and informal networks that exist outside of hierarchical structures. To make the most of this creative potential, organisational and management culture will have to adapt to these trends.

Is there still a distinction between work and leisure time?

Technology not only eases collaboration over geographical distance, but also offers the possibility of more flexible work models. Workplace and working hours can be shaped more freely, which allows new work and leisure combinations, but also introduces new risks. These trends will oblige employees at all levels to consciously manage their most valuable resource: time.

Distance recruitment

Certain managerial tasks can now be undertaken without having to meet face to face. For recruitment, the right profiles can be sought on social networks such as LinkedIn and Xing and job interviews be held using platforms such as Skype. The potential recruitment pool for institutions has increased and physical distance has become less important.

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E-learning at cinfo 2016

Distance learning programme «Managing Across Cultures» Webinar Module 1: Communicating Across Cultures, 25 February, 26 May or 18. August 2016 Webinar Module 2: Building Trust in Multicultural Teams, 17 March, 9 June or 15 September 2016 Webinar Module 3: Managing Conflict in Multicultural Teams, 19 May, 23 June or 13 October 2016

Blended learning programme «Managing Remote Teams» 5-part course with webinars, individual coaching and one day of attendance in Bienne 15 August 2016 webinar, 8 September 2016 attendance day in Bienne. Dates for coaching and conclusion to be decided on a flexible basis with participants.

Details and registration: www.cinfo.ch → Agenda

«Working in networks instead of pyramids.»

Online learning

With technological advances, interactive online learning constantly gains flexibility. MOOCs (massive open online courses) are an example. The type of interaction that comes with e-learning in particular offers potential for joint distance learning and creative collaboration. Webinars are also an excellent tool for IC. These interactive methods can be used for compulsory attendance components, such as group work. The classroom is thus becoming more global.

cinfo is already there

cinfo has already taken these findings into account and offers counselling and coaching according to the client’s wishes, either via Skype, telephone or in person. The training programme combines attendance and online courses, such as webinars and «blended learning». We also offer tailor-made training courses for individual employees or teams. Taking advantage of technological possibilities allows us to train and advise IC professionals with flexibility regarding time and location. More on www.cinfo.ch.

Babette Pfander, Consultant cinfoDaniel Glinz, Senior Advisor and Trainer cinfo

Cooperation partners in the federal government and Network cinfo members

Urs Stauffer Head of IC Personnel

«I find my work at cinfo of connecting potential candidates with international cooperation actors both multifaceted and fascinating.»

Daniel GlinzSenior Advisor and Trainer

«Learning is the safest way to stay alive – and probably the only one.»

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At a glance

Business areas / services / products 2014 2015 Remarks

Business area IC Network

Web platform

Webpage visits 214‘484 212‘306

cinfo newsletter subscribers 4‘794 5‘048

cinfo Facebook followers 708 896

cinfo LinkedIn followers 562 840

LinkedIn group «Swiss with Multilaterals» members 284 344

Twitter followers 202

RadarBlog member organisations users 65 73

Career fair Forum cinfo 58 org. / 761 part.

Not held Held every 2 years

Communities of Practice

COP Forum personnel and personnel development / number of workshops

2 2 HR specialists of Network cinfo member organisations

EduCOP / number of workshops 1 2 Training and further education organisations

Virtual platform EduCOP / number of members 22 20

Symposium

Thematic symposiumNumber of participantsNumber of organisations

0 14022*

Held every 2 years*of which 8 Network cinfo member organisations

Jobs portal cinfoPoste

Organisations advertising 204 187

Annual institutional subscriptions 33 29

Paid single advertisements 147 103

Job vacancy announcements 1‘754 1‘937

cinfoPoste-jobletter subscribers 3‘600 4‘540

Clicks on cinfoPoste job vacancy announcements 543‘860 517‘187

Network cinfo: number of member organisations 27 32

In 2015 we welcomed two new colleagues to the team:

About the team

Members of Network cinfo

IC organisations ▪ Brücke · Le pont ▪ Caritas Switzerland ▪ COMUNDO ▪ Doctors without Borders MSF ▪ Enfants du Monde ▪ HEKS Swiss Church Aid ▪ HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation ▪ International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC ▪ INTERTEAM ▪ Medair ▪ Médecins du Monde ▪ Mission 21 ▪ Solidar Suisse ▪ SWISSAID ▪ Swisscontact ▪ Swiss Red Cross SRC ▪ Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Swiss TPH ▪ Terre des hommes Foundation ▪ World Vision Switzerland

Educational institutions ▪ AGRIDEA ▪ Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH – School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL

▪ Center for Development and Cooperation CDC, Bern University of Applied Sciences – Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering

▪ CERAH ▪ Geneva Academy ▪ Graduate Institute Geneva ▪ Institute for Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding ICP ▪ Institut für Kommunikation & Führung IKF ▪ Interdisciplinary Centre for Gender Studies ICFG ▪ International Organizations MBA ▪ NADEL, ETH Zurich ▪ swisspeace ▪ Università della Svizzera italiana USI ▪ ZHAW – Institute of Management and Social Policy

Federal government cooperation partners

▪ Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA ▪ Economic Cooperation and Development, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO ▪ Human Security Division HSD, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA ▪ Global Institutions Division SDC ▪ Directorate for Resources FDFA

12 13

Business areas / services / products 2014 2015 Remarks

Business area IC Careers

Consultation sessions 111 146

CV check 16 14

Career coaching 94 53 2015 average: 2.3 appointments per person

Reflection day – number / participants 5 / 68 pers. 6 / 74 pers.

External information events – number of events / number of visitors

18 / 1‘855 pers.

15 / 2‘535 pers.

Individual recruitment support – individual clients 27 18

Courses and workshops for performance agreement (PA)

Career orientation – I know my assets 3 / 18 pers. 2 / 17 pers.

Commissioned courses and workshops

Number of clients 8 6

Courses and workshops 13* 8** *of which 3 online courses**of which 3 online courses

Participants 186 92

Coaching consultations according to commissions 74 94

Business area IC Personnel

Personnel marketing for international financial institutions and UN organisations

SECO mandate Development Banks 0

Information, outreach and networking events 2 2

Participants 90 110

Single consultations 6 0

Senior positions in selected UN organisations

Information and networking events 1 2 Information campaigns (UNICEF, UNFPA)

Participants 180 n/a* *Online event, no figures available

Individual discussions / interviews 25 25

Swiss employed with IO-mandate organisations (UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNWOMEN)

49 38

UNV Outreach Mission

Information and networking events 1 1

Participants 35 28

Interviews held 33 29

Candidates that began a deployment 10 15

Business areas / services / products 2014 2015 Remarks

HR services for UNV positions

UNV Fully Funded 2 1

UN Youth Volunteers Programme

Applications 140 114

Interviews held 67 46

Preparation and support of selected candidates 22 15

Application support

SwissJPOs4UN – SDC-funded positions 11 12

SwissJPOs4UN – applications 287 213

SwissJPOs4UN – interviews held 44 58

SwissJPOs4IFIs – SECO-funded positions 5

SwissJPOs4IFIs – applications 102

SwissJPOs4IFIs – interviews held 23

JPO HSD – HSD funded positions 2

JPO HSD – applications 84

JPO HSD – interviews held 10

Recruitment commissions / assessments

Clients 5 5

Recruitment commissions 7 7

Applications 822 830

Interviews 52 11

Assessments 2 3

Intercultural cooperation

Courses and workshops for PA

Courses / workshops 3 7

Training days 3.5 11.5

Total participants 13 72

Average number of participants (cumulative: total participants / total courses)

5 6

Network cinfo participants of member organisations 3 31

Webinar 1* / 6 pers. 1* / 6 pers. *interactive webinar

Thematic coaching in accordance with courses 29 of which 9 on Security & Stress for JPOs

Commissioned courses and workshops

Clients 2 4

Training days 17 22

Participants 127 154

14 15

ASSETS CHF 2015 2014*

Working capitalLiquid assets

Securities

Receivables supplies and services

Other short-term receivables

Prepaid expenses

2'330'206.042'158'064.09

39'681.00

122'171.50

10'289.45

0.00

1'115'482.47859'877.32

61'975.00

177'290.00

11'817.35

4'522.80

Fixed assetsOffice furniture and appliances

Informatics

Building renovation

31'576.001.00

2'200.00

29'375.00

71'801.001.00

18'550.00

53'250.00

TOTAL ASSETS 2'361'782.04 1'187'283.47

LIABILITIES CHF 2015 2014*

Current liabilitiesSupplies and services payable

Other short-term liabilities

Liabilities SDC

Accrued and deferred liabilities

1'806'280.82150'691.60

46'708.94

1'464'804.53

144'075.75

591'612.2194'054.60

38'579.55

364'421.76

94'556.30

Organisational capitalFoundation capital

Acquired free capital

Reserve fund cinfo

555'501.22202'000.00

85'706.40

267'794.82

595'671.26202'000.00

88'931.70

304'739.56

TOTAL LIABILITIES 2'361'782.04 1'187'283.47

Comments on 2015 Annual financial statementFinancial statements were revised according to Swiss regular audit standards by the auditors BDO AG and subject to Swiss Gaap Fer.

Balance at 31.12.2015

OPERATING INCOME CHF 2015 2014*

Income from deliverables and servicesContributions SDC

Service agreements SDC

Selective commissions

Diverse revenue

Reduction in earnings

Member contributions

2'509'441.28

129'886.57

212'418.04

2'552.04

– 1'746.54

35'634.99

2'252'125.31

156'328.92

294'276.17

1'438.97

– 610.00

23'489.03

TOTAL OPERATING INCOME 2'888'186.38 2'827'048.40

OPERATING EXPENSES CHF 2015 2014*

Direct project expenditurePersonnel expenditure

Rental / maintenance

Amortisations

Other operating expenses

2'100'142.781'980'147.28

10'998.25

23'875.00

85'122.25

1'940'769.121'779'626.97

21'958.00

23'875.00

115'309.15

Administrative expenditurePersonnel expenditure

Rental / maintenance

Amortisations

Other operating expenses

825'532.49569'706.41

141'751.25

20'825.45

93'249.38

884'206.73619'364.73

164'293.00

19'413.25

81'135.75

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSESOperating profit

2'925'675.27– 37'488.89

2'824'975.852'072.55

Financial resultFinancial income

Financial expenses

Operating result after net income

Annual result before organisational capital

– 2'681.15684.10

– 3'365.25

– 40'170.04

– 40'170.04

2'554.993'668.40

– 1'113.41

4'627.54

4'627.54

Allocation / dispositionAllocation cinfo reserve fund

Debits from cinfo reserve fund

Debit / credit free capital

40'170.04– 6.10

36'950.84

3'225.30

– 4'627.54– 3'709.39

15.40

– 933.55

ANNUAL RESULT 0.00 0.00

Operating statement 1 January – 31 December 2015

Annual financial statement

*Figures were adjusted according to the new accounting law regarding division.

*Figures were adjusted according to the new accounting law regarding division.

cinfo – the Centre for Information, Counselling and Training for Professions relating to International Cooperation (IC) – is a specialised service provider and the network platform for professionals and organisations involved in the IC job market and for persons who wish to become active in this field.

Centre for Information, Counselling and Training for Professions relating to International Cooperation

Rue Centrale 115 | Case postale2500 Bienne 7, Switzerland+41 32 365 80 02info@cinfo.ch | www.cinfo.ch