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Director
International School of Tanganyika, Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania)

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF TANGANYIKA

Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Seeks a Director

Effective July 2020

 

THE SCHOOL

The International School of Tanganyika (IST) is widely regarded as one of the leading international schools in Africa. The school is not for profit, founded in 1963 and fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. IST is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer the Primary Years Program, Middle Years Program and IB Diploma Program. With over 290 employees, IST serves about 840 students from the age of three to Grade 12 and has a solid reputation for academic and extra-curricular excellence. More than 95% of our students go on to university with many graduates accepted by the leading universities and colleges throughout the world.

 

MISSION

Challenging, inspiring and supporting all our students to fulfill their potential and improve the world.

VISION

IST will be a global leader in the education of internationally-mobile young people.

- All students, regardless of their starting point, will think critically, achieve academically and develop the wisdom to make good choices. They will show curiosity and creativity in addressing authentic problems, local and global.

- They will pursue their varied passions with enthusiasm, developing resilience, perseverance and confidence. Understanding the diversity of people and cultures, they will act kindly, fairly and responsibly.

- All members of the IST community will work together to fulfill this Vision.

IST STATEMENT OF VALUES

All members of the IST community are:

Responsible. We act responsibly, positively and constructively, towards ourselves and other people. We learn from our mistakes and accept the consequences of our actions.

Inquiring. We show curiosity, perseverance and open-mindedness in seeking to understand and solve problems. We persevere in the face of difficulties and we embrace the learning that comes through failure as well as the joy of success.

Compassionate. We empathize with others and act with care, kindness and courage. In our interactions, we behave with patience, generosity and integrity.

Balanced. We believe in a broad education for our students, seeing the value of participation in a varied curriculum.

Diverse. We treasure the diversity within the IST community, using the rich opportunities for deeper understanding that come from our differences.

LOCATION

IST operates on two campuses in desirable suburbs of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. IST Elementary serves children from age 3 through Grade 5 while IST Secondary, 5 kilometers away, serves Grades 6 – 12. Tanzania is a welcoming country, with a long history of political stability and a growing private sector. Dar es Salaam’s proximity to the Indian Ocean and wildlife areas offer ample opportunities for outdoor sports, travel and adventure. Dar es Salaam is widely regarded as a desirable family post by expatriates. At the same time, Tanzania is a tropical and developing country with the normal challenges of such an environment.

ORGANIZATION

A Board of Governors, elected by parents of students of the school for three-year terms, governs the school with the Director reporting to the Board. The Director is supported by an Elementary Principal, a Secondary Principal, a Director of Teaching and Learning, an ICT Director, a Business Manager (General Manager of Finance and Administration), an Admissions Director, a Human Resources Manager, a Security Manager, a Facilities and Maintenance Manager. Each Principal is further supported by a Vice Principal, Program Coordinators and Activities Coordinators.  The relationship between school management and the Board is productive, mutually supportive and accountable.

CURRICULUM

IST is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. IST Elementary (Early Childhood to Grade 5) teaches the IB Primary Years Program (PYP). At IST Secondary, Grades 6-10 follow the IB Middle Years Program (MYP), while students in their last two years of high school follow the IB Diploma Program. The curriculum at IST benefits from thoughtful collaboration among teachers, planning and documenting student learning. Our ICT network, systems and hardware have received significant investment in the past few years and support the effective use of technology for teaching and learning. Significant strides have been taken toward IST becoming a more inclusive school, in which all are supported and challenged. Our admissions processes are relatively open and we have put the resources in place to support a wide range of student learning needs. IST achieves strong academic results, with a broad intake of students and a high level of participation in the Diploma Program. Departing students gain admission to world-class universities and schools.

The Student Services Department at IST contributes to ensuring that all students achieve essential learning expectations and their full potential by helping to address their academic, social-emotional and English-learning needs. Student Services staff includes Learning Support (LS) teachers, English as an Additional Language (EAL) teachers, and Counselors. The school also draws on outside specialists as needed to support students. The Department is overseen by a schoolwide Coordinator of Student Support Services.  IST values a diverse range of learning profiles and understands inclusion as a collective responsibility to ensure all students fulfill their potential.

FACULTY

Staff salary and benefits are internationally competitive and IST continues to attract exceptional and passionate members to join their faculty.  That, along with a clearly articulated educational approach enables IST to recruit excellent teachers. In the 2018-19 school year, 110 faculty members teach at IST, including 30% from the USA, 20% from the UK, 12% from Canada, 12% from Tanzania and the remainder from 11 other countries. IST values a professional learning community and supports the development of its faculty and staff.

 

STUDENTS

IST’s students are engaged in learning and are dedicated to understanding and serving their community. IST values student leadership and initiative at all levels. Students are actively involved in decisions that affect them, through a range of channels. Within an increasingly competitive environment for international education in the region, enrolment remains fairly strong and the school is in good financial shape, with substantial reserves. IST families are a diverse mix of long-term residents, Tanzanian citizens, expatriates in a growing private sector, NGO and diplomatic workers from numerous countries. IST has a student population that is 21% Tanzanian, 15% American, 15% European, 11% British and 8% Indian with the rest comprising of approximately 55 other nationalities.  There is a high level of engagement among the parents of IST students which results in parents spending a lot of time and energy on school activities and supporting their children’s learning. To be admitted to the pre-kindergarten a child must be 3 years of age before September 1. The school year begins in August and ends in June.

FACILITIES

IST Elementary consists of more than 30 classrooms, all air conditioned and equipped with SmartBoards and/or document cameras, specialist classrooms for music, art and world languages, a multipurpose hall, a library, a full-sized swimming pool, an athletic field, and two covered courts.

IST Secondary, consists of 50 classrooms, all air conditioned, a state-of-the-art Science building, a modern Design technology lab, a library, two art rooms, three computer rooms, an audio visual theatre, a multi-purpose hall/gymnasium, music and drama rooms, swimming and diving pools, covered court and a sports field. Both campuses are commended for an organic flow between exterior and interior space.

SPORTS • PERFORMING AND CREATIVE ARTS • STEM • ROBOTICS

The school boasts a comprehensive sports program on both campuses. IST Secondary participates annually in the International Schools of Southern and Eastern Africa (ISSEA) tournaments with international schools from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa.

IST has a varied and rich arts and cultural program, including musical and drama performances and annual art exhibitions. The school also participates in ISSEA band, choir and drama events.

The school also participates in ISSEA STEM and Robotics events, having recently won numerous awards. Our After-School Activities program is diverse and busy, with a vast array of service-learning, sporting and artistic activities on offer, and a high rate of student participation, reflection and leadership.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

The school has outstanding community service projects that are woven into the school’s educational content as part of the PYP, MYP and DP curricula. This is of great benefit to the local community and environment as well as to the development and awareness of our students. The school has made tremendous progress over the years in developing student leaders particularly in the area of service activities. For example, the work of the student led Teen Girls Organization (T Go) received the Service Award from the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) in recognition of T Go’s work in helping young Tanzanian girls in areas ranging from career planning to raising awareness about endometriosis.

ADVENTURE

Students and teachers take part in a range of adventure activities including treks up Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru, trips to outstanding wildlife areas, camping, snorkeling, biking and beach trips. Elementary students in Grades 4 and 5 annually participate in overnight stays in areas relevant to their course of study in the environment and history of Tanzania, respectively. All Secondary students in Grades 6-10 annually participate in an Extended Study Program (ESP) week that includes trips throughout Tanzania. During the same ESP week, Grade 11 students typically travel as well to collect data as part of their studies in biology, geography and other subjects while Grade 12 students have the campus to themselves for their mock exams.     

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTOR

The Director reports to the Board of Directors and is committed to IST’s Mission, Vision and Statement of Values. The Director is charged with the efficient and effective operation of the school. The Director will have direct responsibility for management, organization and supervision of all school activities. The Director’s duties include:

• Setting the academic vision in alignment with the overall vision, mission and strategic goals of IST;
• Being the key spokesperson for the academic philosophy and standards of IST and promote the school locally, regionally and globally as part of a comprehensive marketing plan;
• Providing a safe and secure environment for all students, teachers and staff;
• Fostering open channels of communication with the school community to create a positive and inclusive school environment;
• Ensuring that efficient and effective allocation of resources are applied in every aspect of school expenditures.
• Guiding the recruitment and hiring and development of all school employees and ensuring that all programs are in place for staff compensation and evaluation.

Required Qualifications, Experience and Attributes

•  An Advanced Degree (MA or higher)
• Experience with the IB program, preferably all levels - PYP, MYP, and DP programs

Preferred Experience

• Demonstrated experience in successfully managing change
• A knowledgeable and experienced school leader
• Experience as a head of school (director, headmaster, superintendent) is preferred
• Successful leadership experience motivating and managing a senior leadership team
• Experience in strategic planning and implementation
• Experience with construction and/or renovating existing facilities
• Familiarity with managing budgets and ensuring sound fiscal practice

Personal Skills and Attributes

• An active leadership style with high visibility both within the school and throughout the community
• Demonstrated leadership skills and an ability to engage with and inspire trust in faculty members, students, and members of the IST community
• Commitment to student-centered learning
• Ability to develop a shared vision and accountability in a community of diverse cultures
• Maintain high ethical standards and ensure appropriate levels of confidentiality
• Current with research in international education
• Ability to inspire faculty and staff to grow and challenge themselves individually, and as a group
• Good listening skills, open, approachable
• Well-developed communication skills, both verbal and in writing
• Ability to work effectively with the Board
• Supportive, empathetic and compassionate, yet able to make difficult decisions in the best interests of students and the entire school community
• A firm decision-maker and a clear communicator; honest and transparent
• Comfortable working with a certain amount of uncertainty. Being flexible and creative.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary and benefits package will be internationally competitive, and commensurate with the qualifications and previous experience of the successful candidate. Further details will be given to short-listed candidates.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The IST Board of Directors has appointed Search Associates in its search for a Director, with Dr. Brent Mutsch serving as the lead consultant. The deadline for applications for the position is March 2, 2019. Candidates are asked to submit the requested materials listed below as early as possible as the Search Committee/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 video interviews of selected candidates will take place on a rolling basis.  Finalists Candidates will be selected by the Search Committee and subsequently be invited to Dar Es Salaam (with their spouse, if applicable) to meet with the Board of Governors, visit the school and meet with faculty, non-teaching staff, parents, students and administrators.

The new Director will be selected at the conclusion of the site visit, final interviews, and reference checks. The new Director will assume his/her professional responsibilities in July 2020.

Suitably qualified candidates should send the following information listed below as a single PDF File attached to an email to  arrive as soon as possible, and no later than March 2, 2019:

• A letter of application, briefly outlining why you wish to apply for the Director position at IST and what specific skills, qualities and experience you  can offer ;
• A current resume/CV (no more than two pages) ;
• A statement of educational and leadership philosophy (not to exceed two pages)
• The names and full contact details of at least three professional referees;
• A maximum of three letters of reference (scanned at low resolution) that may already be in your possession
• A good recent head-and-shoulders photo

Interviews are likely to take place during late March and  early April 2019, but the Board reserves the option to invite selected candidates to interview at an earlier date.

Total document size  should be kept to 4MB if possible.  Applications should be sent to:

Dr. Brent Mutsch of Search Associates   bmutsch@searchassociates.com                                    

Skype: brentmutsch                                                            

Tel: 970-368-6879 USA – Mountain Time Zone

Additional Information about the International School of Tanganyika can be found on the school’s website at www.istafrica.com