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Executive Director
The Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) (Kenya)

 

The Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA)

Nairobi, Kenya

seeks a new

Executive Director

EFFECTIVE AUGUST 2024

 

 

 

 

In June 2024, Dr. Peter Bateman will be stepping down from his role as Executive Director of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) after 15 years of exemplary service. AISA is therefore seeking highly qualified candidates for the position of Executive Director with a starting date of July 1, 2024.

About AISA

Over the past five decades, our international schools across Africa have experienced environments of immense, and sometimes, unprecedented change.  Faced with these challenges, AISA’s support has been unwavering.  Our presentation of world-class professional learning opportunities and advisory services to our members is ongoing, and includes offerings that are based on continuous research into the specific needs of international schools on the continent.

Our member schools vary greatly.  While all teach in English, some are large with over 2000 students, while others have less than 100 students in the entire school.  They may be non-profit or proprietary, religiously affiliated, or not.  Curricula also vary, with the American, British, International Baccalaureate or some combination of the three being offered.  Whatever the size or affiliation, we provide a forum for educators to connect with and learn from each other.  In addition, we provide our members with access to leading experts, advisors and facilitators specialising in essential matters such as school governance and leadership, professional learning, blended learning, child protection and wellbeing, DEIJ, inclusive education, innovation and technology, and more.

AISA’s membership also includes some 80 Associate Members comprising businesses, organisations and universities throughout the world whose primary mission is to serve the various needs of our schools.  Their contribution to improving student learning is invaluable.

AISA exists to ensure that our members are always learning and growing, thereby creating a fertile environment within which fresh, new ideas and practices can inspire students to focus, flourish and fully prepare themselves to become global citizens.

We believe that:

• Being open to differences leads to knowledge and understanding
• All individuals have intrinsic worth
• Nurturing is necessary for growth and change
• Personal fulfillment derives from defining a sense of purpose and making connections through service to others
• A sense of belonging enables people and communities to thrive
• All people want to learn, and people learn differently
• When people work together better outcomes are more likely
• The development of international-mindedness is fundamental to being successful in an interconnected world

AISA Foundational Documents

AISA Identity Statement

AISA is a collaborative learning community of accredited internationally-minded schools in Africa, which provides targeted services and relevant resources, facilitates innovative programmes, and connects people.

AISA Mission Statement

AISA is dedicated to transforming student learning by leading and supporting professional growth, good governance, strategic thinking, and the wellbeing of the entire AISA community of schools

AISA Strategic Plan

Strategic Focus 1: AISA Professional Outreach

The AISA Professional Outreach Programme will provide a framework for mobilising educators in AISA schools to make connections with local schools and educators.  The aim is to co-design and implement a mutually beneficial programme to improve student and teacher learning through supporting and sustaining a cross-cultural and collaborative professional community of teachers.

Strategic Focus Area 2 - AISA Wellbeing for All

As part of our “Wellbeing for All” programme, AISA will enhance the effectiveness of member schools, at a systemic level, to support and embody diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) and Mental Health for all educators and students that promotes a sense of belonging.

  

The Position

The AISA Executive Director (E.D.) will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for AISA staff, programs, budget, expansion, and execution of its purpose. The E.D. is an ex-officio member of the AISA Board which meets 2 - 3 times per year.  The AISA Board is composed of Heads of Schools from the AISA region and is sustained through yearly elections with each AISA school participating.  The E.D. role is a full time position, and the E.D. works and lives in Nairobi, Kenya where the AISA head office is located.  The Board conducts an annual review of the E.D, based on feedback, the job description, annual goals, personal goals, and self-reflections.  While seeking a long term E.D., the initial contract will be for three years.

The E.D. is supported in the AISA office by a highly skilled and competent team.  Team members include a Deputy Executive Director (professional learning and strategic partnerships), a Child Protection and Wellbeing Programme Manager, a Finance and Administration Manager, an Events, Marketing and Communications Manager, and an Administrative Officer.

  

Required Qualifications/Experience:

The Executive Director must be thoroughly committed to the AISA purpose. All candidates should have proven leadership, coaching, and relationship management experience. Concrete demonstrable experience and other qualifications include:

• Advanced degree, minimum an MS or MA with at least 10 years of senior leadership experience.
• Past experience working in a developing world context.
• Track record of effectively leading an international organization; success with a performance- and outcomes-based organization and staff
• Ability to point to specific examples of having developed and operationalized strategies that have taken an organization to the next stage of growth
• Unwavering commitment to quality programs
• Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high-performance teams, set and achieve strategic objectives, and manage a budget.
• Past success working with a Board of Directors with the ability to cultivate existing board member relationships
• Knowledge of exemplary governance practice, and experience with conducting Board training/workshops to build capacity of working Boards
• Strong marketing and public relations ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures.
• Strong oral and written communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.
• Ability to plan the wide range of AISA annual events and activities
• Experience working in collaboration with diverse groups of people
• Willingness to travel across the continent of Africa to support schools throughout the region
• Financial acumen and ability to manage budgets and resources
• Passion, idealism, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and a self-directed professional

Preferred Qualifications/Experience:

• Has successfully led complex organizations.
• Past experience working in an African context.
• Experience leading DEIJ initiatives within a wider school community or organization.

Responsibilities

Programme:

• Organizes annual regional professional learning events (e.g. AISA School Heads Retreat, AISA Conference, Professional Learning Institutes)
• Produces AISA newsletters, annual membership reports, and communications to keep the AISA community well informed
• Coordinates the Associations Programmes (e.g. governance training, child protection, service learning, DEIJ and Well Being, Visiting Author exchanges, consultancies, and school visits)
• Serves as a consultant to member schools
• Provides assistance to new schools in the region by providing relevant information and materials as requested
• Visits member schools - this involves approximately three months of travel each year.
• Serves as a liaison among Association members
• Advises and assists the Board with updating and implementing the strategic plan
• Coordinates the staff and student scholarship and awards

Administration

• In conjunction with the Board Chair, sets agendas for all Board and business meetings of the Association.  Organizes meetings and ensures that the agenda, appropriate background materials, financial reports, minutes and other relevant materials are received in advance by Board members
• Is responsible for the maintenance of updated, accurate records of the organization including approved minutes of Board and Association meetings, an updated policy manual, and clear, updated and accurate financial statements. Ensures that relevant accurate records are available for reference at all Board meetings
• Attends all Board and Business meetings of the Association
• Communicates regularly with all members
• Responds to requests concerning Association membership and related issues
• Proposes an annual budget in conjunction with the Treasurer for submission to the Board of Directors
• Monitors all Association funds in accordance with the financial policies of the Association
• Provides periodic budget reports and makes appropriate budget projections
• Ensures the integrity and security of all data held by the Association
• Develops A/OS Grant Proposals, submits grant requests, monitors the expenditures from grant funds, and completes required grant reports
• Works closely with the Regional Education Officer (REO) for Africa, A/OS, as well as with other appropriate U.S. State Department Officials

Public Relations

• Serves as a spokesperson for and representative of the Association promoting the Association’s Mission, Philosophy, and Objectives
• Represents the Association on relevant Boards and events to ensure AISA’s voice is included in emerging trends within International Education
• Maintain the Associations’ website and relevant social media channels
• Regularly contributes stories about the Association and its activities to international education publications and on social media
• Maintains relationships with other regional organizations, and presenting regularly to support AISA’s mission and to build awareness of AISA’s strategic work and vision
• Attends the yearly A/OS-sponsored meeting of the Regional Executive Directors, and various conferences as appropriate

Compensation

A competitive salary and benefits package will be available based on circumstances and may be negotiated with the successful candidate. In addition to salary, a housing stipend, annual flights to the home of record, and medical insurance will be provided to the incoming Executive Director. 

 

 

Life in Nairobi

The AISA office is located in Nairobi, on the campus of the International School of Kenya.  Nairobi is known for having a large expatriate community, and offers a wide variety of restaurants, shops, cinemas, as well as Karura Forest where one can hike, bike, or run among towering eucalyptus trees and somewhat mischievous monkeys. 

Kenya is renowned for its national parks, including one within the Nairobi city limits and others located throughout the country, many within a few hours drive of Nairobi.  The richness of Kenya is not limited to its wildlife, but one can enjoy the Kenyan coast and beautiful beaches. The warmth and generosity of the Kenyan people is experienced in many different facets when one ventures outside of the Nairobi city limits to explore what this amazing country has to offer.

Candidates may like to compare the cost of living in Nairobi to that in their current home city using this tool.

 

Application Procedure

The AISA Board of Directors has appointed Search Associates in its search for an Executive Director, with Caroline Jacoby serving as the lead consultant. The deadline for applications for the position is January 3rd, 2023. 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. Online interviews of selected candidates will take place on a rolling basis.  As the Board of Directors are located in many different countries, finalist interviews will likely take place with the AISA Board either via Zoom or in Cape Town in mid-February, 2023.

Please note that we will not forward-on candidates for further consideration by AISA if a candidate is under contract or is otherwise encumbered in such a way that would preclude them from freely entering into a new employment contract, if offered, and being available for the start date stipulated by the hiring organization. Search Associates will contact the current employer/supervisor to request completion of a Search Associates Confidential Leadership Reference Form for all applicants who emerge in the search as a semi-finalist.

Suitably qualified candidates should send the following information listed below as a single PDF file (no larger than 4MB) attached to an email to Caroline Jacoby at cjacoby@searchassociates.com to arrive as soon as possible, and no later than January 3rd, 2023 GMT. The application should include:

• A letter of application, briefly outlining why you wish to apply for the AISA Executive Director position 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

 

Additional information about the AISA can be found on the organization’s website at

www.aisa.or.ke