The Pharo Foundation Deputy Head of School Jobs in Ethiopia

The Pharo Foundation Deputy Head of School Jobs in Ethiopia

[Job Id: 200222

Category: Education
Location:
Career Level: Senior Level (5+ years experience)
Salary: The salary and benefits package is competitive and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Job Description

Background:

Pharo School, Homosha is an innovative boarding school for female students in Grade 9 through 12 in rural Ethiopia. The Pharo School, funded by the Pharo Foundation (UK), aims to transform the lives of young Ethiopian women by providing a high quality educational experience and covering all educational expenses (tuition, boarding, meals, textbooks, uniform and supplies).

The Pharo Foundation’s vision is focused on a self-reliant Africa. The Pharo School’s goal is to further the Foundation’s vision by providing a rigorous and relevant education rooted in developing problem solving skills, fostering creative and innovative thinking and equipping students with a high standard of English literacy.

The Pharo School opened its doors in October 2018 to sixty Grade 9 students, in a temporary school campus location in Assosa, Benishangul-Gumuz Region.

In September 2019, the school will relocate to its new, purpose built campus, 40 kilometers away from Assosa, in rural Homosha. The school will admit up to 60 new, qualified Grade 9 students each year, until it reaches its capacity of approximately 240 students.

The Pharo School offers classroom sizes of approximately 20-24 students, ensuring a high quality learning environment for students and teachers. The school is heavily focused on providing students with access to technology and inquiry based, student centered teaching models.

In its first year of operation, the school has been led by the Headmistress, Finance Administrator and a core teaching staff, who also support a small boarding programme. Along with additional support staff, every employee plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the school and each employee serves as a role model for the students.

As the school looks forward to transitioning to a new campus and its second year of operation, it is seeking an outstanding, dedicated and experienced educator who is passionately called to help transform the lives of young Ethiopian women, through the position of Deputy Head of School.

The successful candidate must have educational experience furthering the skills of beginner, English language learners and s/he must be able to function effectively despite a high frequency of infrastructure (power, water, internet, supply chain, communication) challenges.

The Deputy Head of School will report to the School’s Headmistress and will be a part of the Senior School Management Team. The Deputy Head will play a vital role in the day to day running of the school, and in particular, promote all aspects of academic and intellectual development, including the quality of teaching and learning.

Vital to the quality of teaching and learning, will be the ongoing incorporation of technology, creativity and innovation in the learning environment. The Deputy Head is a pillar of the school community and as such, is required to reside on the school campus.

Key Academic Responsibilities include:

Ongoing design, implementation and development of the academic curriculum, in consultation with the Headmistress.

Production of an annual school calendar and school timetable for all courses, along with the allocation of course sections to teaching staff and volunteers, in consultation with the Headmistress.

Leading the design, implementation and development of strategies to improve the student academic performance, with specific focus on growing and developing students’ English and Math skills.

Input into the academic staffing plan and volunteer staffing plan, in consultation with the Headmistress.

Ongoing promotion of the Pharo School to reach a wider audience of students and parents within the BGRS.

Recruitment and retention of academically qualified female students to the Pharo School

Assistance to the Boarding Staff in developing and monitoring a boarding programme that augments the academic day programme.

The teaching or sharing of one academic course, or extra-curricular activity
Specific academic responsibilities will include:

Onboarding and day to day management of the teaching staff, including teacher induction, coaching and mentoring;

Onboarding and day to day management of teaching volunteers;

Developing and managing a system for covering absent

teachers;

Working on the implementation 21st Century student assessment models that evaluate students’ critical thinking and creativity;

Leading workshops/meetings on best practices in classroom teaching and assessment

Providing regular teacher feedback, based on classroom observations and students’ performance

Supporting the production of student progress reports and report cards;

Updating of Staff and Student handbooks and other school forms;

Ordering of academic resources, school supplies and equipment;

Meeting with students’ parents to resolve relevant issues.

Promoting, supporting and encouraging appropriate standards of conduct, with the aim of maintaining a purposeful and professional learning environment in the classroom, boarding environment and throughout the campus;

Ongoing community and relationship building with parents and the local community

Active engagement in the school community, including the boarding environment.

Undertaking other duties from time to time, as mutually agreed with the Headmistress, within the general framework of the appointment.

Take part in regional/local education platforms as required for compliance with the country’s education policy

Key Administrative Responsibilities include:

Input into the ongoing development and implementation of school wide systems, policies and procedures, in consultation with the Headmistress

Assistance in the day to day management of non-academic Staff and activities

Representing the Headmistress and assuming overall responsibility for the students and school campus when the Headmistress is away from the campus.

Job Requirements

Qualifications, Experience and Personal Qualities

Must be able to demonstrate:

Graduate or Postgraduate diploma/degree in education management or other related disciplines.

Experience working and living in a boarding school, with constant interaction with students and staff

Minimum of 6 years’ experience as a progressive and passionate classroom educator

Experience in school administration in such positions as vice principal/principal, assistant director/director, head teacher/department head.

Experience working in Ethiopia or a developing nation

Mastery of the English language (speaking, writing and reading)
initiative

risk taking and innovative thinking to meet day to day challenges

high emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity
open mindedness

skills to deal effectively with, and build strong relationships with students, staff and parents

flexibility

adaptability

outstanding communication skills

outstanding technology/computer skills in

administration and in the classroom

efficiency

skill in detail

thoroughness and thoughtfulness in implementation and follow through

independence

exceptional levels of administration and

record keeping

skills in people management

understanding of, and personal commitment to, ethos of the school

“near to” 24/7 work ethic

awareness of current developments in best teaching and learning practices and assessment
energized by working in an English language learning (ELL) environment

ability to manage constant change with a commitment to the school’s overall vision and development

an ability to ‘lead from the front’ in one’s own teaching, administration and personal development

high levels of thinking and evaluative skills, understanding of assessment and pedagogy

innovative ability

unwavering sense of humour

committed to supporting the growth of others

How to Apply

This position is open to female and male applicants. Applicants must have legal working status either as an Ethiopian national citizen, or Ethiopian Diaspora, with legal working status in Ethiopia or the ability to obtain legal working status in Ethiopia.

Review of applications will begin as soon as they are received. In the event that an outstanding applicant is identified early in the search process we reserve the right to appoint before the deadline. For this reason we encourage interested candidates to apply at the earliest possible time.

Please send the information listed below as a single PDF file to administration@pharoschools.org

1. A detailed CV

2. A letter of application explaining your strengths as a candidate and your interest in the Deputy Head of School position (maximum 1,000 words).

3. A brief explanation outlining your opinion on what hinders community building and creativity in a boarding school (maximum 500 words).

A one-page list of five references with current addresses, phone numbers, SKYPE and email contacts
Submission of your application is an acknowledgement that the school may contact listed referees as well as other previous employers who would have knowledge of your professional background and experience.

The preferred starting date for this role is June 1, 2019 or earlier.

The Pharo Foundation Deputy Head of School Jobs in Ethiopia