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Appointed - Mr. Kjeld Jorgen Glittenberg
Jan 20, 2020
Feb 7, 2020
The American School of Yaoundé
Cameroon
Seeks a new
Director
Effective August 2020
The American School of Yaoundé, Cameroon
The Opportunity
The American School of Yaoundé (ASOY) is seeking an innovative new Director to lead the school from August 2020. The Director has the day-to-day responsibility for leading all aspects of the school, academic and operational, and reports to a 7-member Board of Directors. The Board consists of seven voting members, six of whom are elected and one of whom is appointed (the US Ambassador’s Representative).
Vision, Mission and Core Values
Vision
We empower students to excel, to embrace their individual passions, and to become engaged, caring, fulfilled global citizens who will positively impact society.
Mission
Empower, Excel, Engage
Core Values
Growth: We value and support the holistic growth of all members of our community.
Diversity: We value the diverse abilities, identities, and cultural backgrounds of all people.
Service: We value a culture of altruistic service and empower each other to effect positive change in partnership with our local and global communities.
School History
ASOY was founded in 1964 in order to provide an English medium comprehensive program primarily for American families based in Yaoundé’, Cameroon, Central Africa. ASOY has strong support from the United States Embassy in Yaoundé and the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Overseas Schools. Over the last 3 ½ years, ASOY has become authorized to offer three IB programs.
The School & Academic Program
ASOY is a non-sectarian, independent, coeducational IB World School. The school offers the IB Diploma Program (DP) in grades 11 and 12, the Middle Years Program (MYP) in grades 6-10 and the Primary Years Program (PYP) in grades Prek-3-5. This year, ASOY has introduced a bilingual French-English program in PreK. This program will expand one grade level each year. ASOY embraces the rich cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity of its international faculty and student body.
In 2019, the average DP score was above the world average. Students choose to apply to and attend universities in the US, UK, Europe and around the world.
ASOY is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA) and the Council of International Schools (CIS). ASOY is also a member of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA).
The school year (180 days) is divided into semesters, with the first beginning in mid- August, and the second beginning in mid-January. The schedule allows high school students to enroll in eight courses per year for grades 9 and 10. Grades 11 and 12 may enroll in seven courses per year. Each class meets an average of 205 minutes per week.
School Structure
The school consists of four sections: the early childhood (PK3-kindergarten), elementary school (grades 1-5), middle school (grades 6-8), and high school (grades 9-12).
The Director also serves as the Upper School (Grades 6-12) Principal and is assisted by a Vice Principal who also serves as the DP Coordinator and IT Director. An Elementary Principal leads the PreK - Grade 5 section of the school. Three IB program coordinators are in place to support teachers.
The Business Manager oversees the majority of the support staff.
Students and The ASOY Community
The student body is international, consisting of students from 32 countries. The community enjoys and makes the most of the diversity this offers. Enrollment is currently 205, PreK – 12. The school will graduate 13 Seniors in June, 2020.
Expatriate families come to Cameroon to work for diplomatic missions, NGOs, and other organizations.
The school is more than just a place to go to learn academic skills. In the small community, the school is a social hub for many students, staff, and parents after school and on weekends. This is valued by the community and merits continued nurturing and development.
Faculty and Staff
ASOY currently employs 35 faculty members from nine countries who are experienced and have taught in international and national schools around the world. ASOY’s support staff are generally long-serving and committed to the school.
Co-Curricular Program
This year the school is offering more than 50 after school activities to extend student learning beyond the regular school day. The after-school activities program is comprised of sporting, thinking and artistic pursuits to help develop the whole learner.
ASOY is an associate member of the West African International Schools’ Athletic League (WAISAL). Students (the ASOY Parrots) have the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports in this international sporting league. Students also participate in international conferences such as the Model United Nations (MUN) and the Global Issues Service Summit (GISS).
Facilities
The campus is located on a 3.5-acre site near the center of Yaoundé and consists of 25 classrooms, one computer lab, two science labs, a 16,000-volume multimedia library, a learning support center, an English Language Learners (ELL) support center, a college counselor, the Parrot’s Canteen, a multi-purpose room, and a courtyard for events and R&R. Sports facilities include two tennis courts, one multi-use outdoor court, a covered basketball court, a swimming pool, a kiddie pool, a newly installed artificial turf soccer field, and two playgrounds for younger students.
School Pool
School playground and sports court
The City of Yaoundé
Yaoundé is the capital city of Cameroon in Central Africa. With a population of 1,299,369 (2019 World Population Review), the city is bustling with people from different ethnic groups of Cameroon and from expatriates coming from all over the globe. French, English, and local languages are the main means of communication.
City View From ASOY
The city is spread out over seven verdant hills, some steep and favored by sports fanatics who run up and down the slopes. The tropical environment means the city has flowering plants, some that bloom all year. Garden stalls line the city streets and give passersby a daily feast of colors.
Yaoundé is a city of markets: fruit and vegetables, fish, meat, fabric, handicrafts, and all sorts of goods. Be prepared to explore these outdoor shops. However, if you prefer to do your shopping indoors, Western-style shops are also available. Several supermarkets stock a wide range of products. In addition to local produce, food products and other commodities are flown in from Europe, Asia, and the U.S, or from other parts of the African continent.
Yaoundé is also a melting pot of local and international cuisine ranging from Cameroon’s national dishes to American, Belgian, Chinese, French, Indian, Italian, Korean, Senegalese, Turkish, Vietnamese, and other selections.
The Position
The Board is searching for an innovative new Director who will continue the good work that has been done over the school’s long history and will:
- embed the IB programs;
- foster and nurture a strong sense of community;
- market the school to attract potential families - both expatriates and Cameroonians;
- develop school facilities to enhance student learning; and,
- recruit and retain excellent student-centered teachers.
Qualifications & Experience
All applicants must have:
- At least an MA in Education and/or Educational Leadership;
- A minimum of five years leadership experience with at least three years teaching or administering at least one of the IB programs;
- Demonstrated experience nurturing and building a strong sense of community; and,
- A high level of personal and professional integrity.
Preferred Qualifications/Qualities
- Be able to speak French or be willing to learn French;
- Understanding of the challenges and opportunities leading a small school brings; and,
- Experience working in a developing country.
Desired Personal Characteristics
- Open-minded
- Can articulate a clear vision to the community
- Sense of humor
- Flexible
- Empathetic
- Is solution focused
- Excellent communicator
- Transparent
- Understand and make the most of the Cameroonian context the school is in
Salary & Benefits
The compensation package will be internationally competitive and commensurate with the candidate’s experience and qualifications.
The Application Procedure
The Board of Directors has appointed Search Associates as its partner in its search for a Director, with Caroline Jacoby serving as the lead consultant. The deadline for applications for the position is February 7th, 2020. Candidates should submit the requested materials listed below as early as possible as the Board of Directors reserves the right to close the selection process at any time if the right candidate is identified.
The review of files will begin as soon as applications are received. Skype/Zoom video interviews of selected candidates will take place on a rolling basis. Finalists will be selected by the Search Committee and subsequently be invited to ASOY (with their spouse, if applicable) to visit the school and meet with the search committee, Board of Directors, faculty/staff, administration, students and parents. The Board of Directors will select the successful candidate at the conclusion of the site visit, final interviews, and reference checks. The new Director will assume his/her professional responsibilities in August 2020.
Suitably qualified candidates should send the information listed below as a single PDF File attached to an email to cjacoby@searchassociates.com to arrive as soon as possible, and no later than February 7th, 2020:
Candidates should send the information listed below as a single pdf file attached to an email:
- A letter of application, explaining your strengths as a candidate and why you are interested in the Director position at the American International School of Yaoundé;
- A statement describing your leadership and educational philosophy, not to exceed two pages;
- A current résumé (including a photo) not to exceed two pages; and,
- A one-page list of references with current addresses, phone numbers and email addresses.
Total document size should be kept to 4MB if possible.
Interviews are likely to take place early in March 2020, but the Board reserves the option to invite selected candidates to interview at an earlier date.
Applications should be sent to: Caroline Jacoby of Search Associates: cjacoby@searchassociates.com
