Application Guide

How to Apply for Payroll Specialist (70 – 80%)

at Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute

🏢 About Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute

The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) is a world-renowned institute in global health with a unique focus on low- and middle-income countries. Associated with the University of Basel, it uniquely combines research, teaching, and services across local, national, and international levels, offering a multicultural environment with staff from 96 countries working on impactful health challenges.

About This Role

This Payroll Specialist role (70-80% FTE) involves managing payroll processing, including monthly reconciliations and year-end closing, handling social insurance matters, and ensuring accurate payroll runs for approximately 1,000 employees. The role is impactful as it supports the administrative backbone of Swiss TPH, enabling the institute's critical global health work by ensuring reliable financial operations for staff across diverse international contexts.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves processing payroll runs for Swiss TPH's diverse staff, reconciling monthly accounts, and handling social insurance queries, all while collaborating with a colleague in the HR Services team. You'll ensure payroll accuracy to support the institute's global health operations, possibly adapting to remote work as the role is listed as remote.

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🎯 Who Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Is Looking For

  • Has several years of hands-on experience specifically in Swiss payroll processing (Lohnverarbeitung), not just general accounting
  • Demonstrates proven competence in handling social insurance (Sozialversicherungen) within the Swiss system
  • Can work collaboratively in a team, as indicated by the mention of working 'together or alternately with a colleague'
  • Is comfortable in a multicultural environment, given Swiss TPH's diverse staff from 96 countries

📝 Tips for Applying to Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute

1

Explicitly mention your experience with Swiss payroll systems and social insurance regulations, as this is emphasized in the job description

2

Highlight any experience working in academic, research, or non-profit environments, as Swiss TPH is associated with the University of Basel

3

Address the 70-80% workload preference directly—explain why this part-time arrangement suits you

4

Note the May 2026 start date or 'by arrangement' and indicate your flexibility

5

Tailor your application to show understanding of Swiss TPH's mission in global health, not just payroll technical skills

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your specific experience with Swiss payroll processing and social insurance, linking it to the role's requirements", 'How your skills support administrative efficiency in a research or academic setting like Swiss TPH', 'Your ability to work in a multicultural, internationally focused organization', "Your motivation to contribute to Swiss TPH's mission in global health through reliable payroll services"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Swiss TPH's specific projects in infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and health systems, to understand the institute's impact
  • → The structure of the Administration department and its units (Finances, HR, Informatics, Infrastructure), as this role is part of HR Services
  • → Swiss labor and social insurance laws, as they directly apply to this payroll role
  • → The institute's association with the University of Basel and its multicultural environment

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Detailed questions about your experience with Swiss payroll year-end closing (Jahresabschluss) and monthly reconciliations
2 How you handle social insurance (Sozialversicherungen) for employees, possibly with international aspects
3 Your approach to collaborating in a small HR team, as mentioned with working alongside a colleague
4 Scenarios involving payroll for staff in low- and middle-income countries or diverse nationalities
5 Your understanding of Swiss TPH's work in global health and how payroll supports it
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with generic payroll experience without highlighting Swiss-specific knowledge (e.g., Lohnbuchhaltung, Sozialversicherungen)
  • Overlooking the part-time nature (70-80%) or the start date (May 2026 or by arrangement) in your application
  • Failing to connect your payroll skills to the mission-driven, research-focused context of Swiss TPH

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute!

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