Chaplain

KIS Vision Statement

We strive to be a school the world needs: Our graduates will be transformative leaders, caring humans and thoughtful ambassadors for a just, sustainable and peaceful world.

KIS Mission Statement

Kodaikanal International School (KIS) is committed to empowering young people from diverse backgrounds with vision, knowledge, compassion and cross-cultural understanding. We are a community that welcomes everyone and seeks our purpose in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

KIS Staff Cultural Ideals

Community health. We seek health, wellbeing, and balance.

Communication. We strive to be respectful, collaborative communicators.

Growth. We pursue excellence as life-long learners with a growth mindset.

Agency. We aim for accountable professional agency.

Professionalism. We demonstrate high standards of professional integrity, collegiality, responsibility, and practice.

Whole-child education. We are committed to supportive, holistic, child-centered education.

Role

The Chaplain reports directly to the Principal and is Serve the entire KIS family in their spiritual and needs and activities in the light of the school’s mission, philosophy and objectives. As a member of the School’s Senior Management Team, she/he will participate in making decisions as per KIS Bylaws and in the spirit of Design ’18 and the mission of the school. All Senior Management Team members are required to be of the Christian faith as per the school’s bylaws.

Reports to: Principal

Time Period: Initial 2-year contract, potential extensions after initial contract

Joining Date: 01 July 2027

Specific Responsibilities

- Serve the entire KIS family in their spiritual and needs and activities in the light of the school’s mission, philosophy, and objectives.
- Be responsible for the worship life of the school community.
- Assist in worship life in the dormitories and on the personal level.
- Be concerned about the worship life of those whose formal worship takes place off campus or according to a tradition other than Christian.
- Facilitate and encourage persons in the school community to seek personal or pastoral counseling when needed.
- Assist the Principal in the whole area of lifestyle, helping to alert the staff and students to the objectives of the school and its major concerns.
- Be involved in community relations and service projects, and to help others in a meaningful way.
- Be involved in the school’s religious education programme at the planning, coordination, and teaching levels.
- Oversee, delegate to, and evaluate activities of the Associate Chaplain
- Be supportive of and involved in the residential life of the school,



and to be a resource person for planning and activities in this context.
- Carry out other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Principal and the Council.
- Be responsible to the Principal for the conduct of his/her work.
- Maintain open and clear channels of communication with the Principal, other administrators and all staff on matters of concern to the school.
- Be responsible to the Principal for the conduct of his/her work.
- Carry out any other duties as assigned by the Principal.
- Support Design ‘18

Experience and Skills

Required Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree in Theology, Christian Ministry, Divinity, Pastoral Studies, Religious Studies, or a related field. A Master’s degree in Theology, Divinity, or a related discipline is preferred.
- Formal theological or pastoral training from a recognised Christian theological institution.
- Ordination, commissioning, or recognition for Christian ministry by a recognised Christian denomination or church body, as applicable.
- Demonstrated commitment to the Christian faith and the mission, values, and ethos of the school.
- Training or certification in child safeguarding/protection is preferred

Preferred Experience:

- Minimum 3–5 years of experience in Christian ministry, pastoral care, chaplaincy, youth ministry, or a related role.
- Experience working with children and adolescents, preferably within a school, residential school, youth organisation, or similar educational setting.
- Experience planning and leading chapel services, Christian worship, Bible studies, prayer meetings, retreats, and other faith-based programmes.
- Experience providing pastoral care, spiritual guidance, mentoring, and support to students and members of the school community.
- Experience supporting individuals and communities during times of grief, loss, crisis, or personal difficulty.
- Experience working collaboratively with teachers, residential staff, school leadership, parents, and church/community organisations.
- Experience working in a multicultural and/or international environment is highly desirable.
- Previous experience in a residential school or boarding-school environment would be an advantage.

Desired Skills/Attributes

- Strong interpersonal, communication, listening,



and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to relate positively and appropriately to adolescents and young people.
- Ability to work respectfully with people from different Christian denominations and cultural backgrounds.
- Strong understanding of confidentiality, professional boundaries, and safeguarding.
- Ability to provide compassionate and non-judgemental pastoral support.
- Good organisational skills and the ability to coordinate multiple worship and pastoral activities.
- Ability to inspire and encourage students in Christian character, faith, service, compassion, integrity, and leadership.

General Expectations

KIS staff members are expected to support a healthy KIS community a manner that is positive, professional, and collaborative; communicate in a manner that is timely and respectful, especially regarding concerns; take agency for their professional responsibilities; pursue growth opportunities appropriate to maintain excellent qualified standards; and help provide students with an education that strikes a holistic balanced between academic, physical, spiritual, and social activities.

All KIS staff participate in a duty rotation and are expected to support student life by helping supervise and organize occasional fun events that may occur on evenings or weekends. Academic staff may be asked to supervise extended essays, personal projects, and CAS and service as action activities. KIS is an active school that features a hiking and camping program. The school maintains a ‘fair share’ record of staff contributions and strives to maintain equity in how they are distributed.

All staff are, first and foremost, child guardians and caregivers. As such, they must always uphold our child safeguarding statement.

Child Safeguarding Statement

KIS is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people in our care. We support the rights of the child and will act without hesitation to ensure a child-safe setting. We also support the rights and wellbeing of our staff and volunteers and encourage their active participation in building and maintaining a secure environment for all participants. The staff at KIS must follow the guidelines of the school’s protective behavior policies and protocols, including reporting any situation that might constitute a health and/or safety hazard to students or school employees.

- Download Application Form >> KIS Administrative Position Application Form

- Fill-in the required information

Please note that applications that do not include the application form and a resume will not be considered.

📌 Chaplain (Kodaikanal)
🏢 Kodaikanal International School
📍 Kodaikanal