Head of Cantonal Social Services

100 %

per 1 March 2027

Shaping social policy with foresight.

Your tasks -- strategic, socially relevant and creative

• Overall responsibility for the strategic, professional, personnel, organizational and financial management of the Kantonalen Sozialamt as well as its future-oriented further development
• Superior professional management of the areas of social assistance, asylum, maintenance advances and debt collection, assessment centers as well as other projects; ensuring high professional and legal quality
• Strategic realignment of the asylum sector and development of viable solutions for future task fulfillment
• Development of a future-proof vision for social assistance and active shaping of the further development process together with municipalities and other partners.
• Early detection of social, legal and professional developments as well as initiation and management of reforms, legislative projects and organizational developments
• Advising the Head of Department and the political authorities on social policy and enforcement-related issues as well as responsibility for central political matters
• Cultivation and further development of cooperation with municipalities, the Confederation and other partners; representation of the Canton in intercantonal committees and leadership in demanding negotiations
• Responsibility for finances, resources, risk and quality management as well as representation of the Kantonalen Sozialamt towards authorities, professional organizations, media and the public

Your profile -- strategic, politically savvy and strong in leadership

• University degree in a field relevant to the function as well as several years of experience in a demanding leadership position
• Sound experience in public administration and a pronounced understanding of social policy, legal and social contexts
• Pronounced strategic thinking and the ability to recognize long-term developments early, derive options for action from them and develop a clear vision
• Experience in dealing with political authorities and a good understanding of cantonal decision-making processes as well as the different roles of the Canton, municipalities and other partners
• High level of persuasiveness and assertiveness as well as negotiation skills and the ability to bring different interests together and develop viable solutions
• Change-oriented and integrative leadership personality who provides orientation, delegates responsibility and wins employees over for common goals
• Sovereignty in dealing with complex, controversial and politically sensitive situations as well as high resilience and personal sense of responsibility
• Pronounced communication skills, diplomatic skill and the ability to convey complex matters in a target-group-oriented and convincing manner both internally and externally

For questions about the position

Lara Waldkirch
Leiterin HR
061 552 47 67

For questions about the application process

Lara Waldkirch
Leiterin HR
Lara.waldkirch@bl.ch

Kantonales Sozialamt

The Kantonale Sozialamt (KSA) monitors and reviews the work of the municipalities regarding the proper enforcement of social assistance, among other things in the form of audits. It also advises, trains and supports the 86 Baselbieter Gemeinden in the implementation of social assistance. Furthermore, the Kantonale Sozialamt is the cantonal office for jurisdiction issues and for medical emergencies.

In the appeal process, the Kantonale Sozialamt instructs appeals against decisions of municipal social assistance authorities.

In the asylum and refugee sector, the Kantonale Sozialamt works together with the Confederation and assigns the persons assigned by the Confederation to the municipalities. It also supports the municipalities in the promotion of integration of persons from the asylum and refugee sector.

Furthermore, the Kantonale Sozialamt advances child maintenance contributions and supports persons in cases of separation in claiming court-ordered maintenance contributions. The Kantonale Sozialamt also assumes cantonal tasks regarding rent contributions as well as home permits in the Canton.

In addition, the Kantonale Sozialamt is involved in poverty prevention and combatting, processes cross-cutting issues of poverty policy as well as political motions and formulates social policy strategies and concepts.