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Head of Primary
UWC East Africa (Tanzania)

 

 

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MOSHI, TANZANIA

seeks a

HEAD OF PRIMARY (Moshi Campus)

effective August 2016

THE SCHOOL

International School Moshi (ISM) is an independent, not-for-profit, co-educational, non-denominational day and boarding school located on two campuses in northern Tanzania on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in Moshi and close Mount Meru in Arusha.  It offers PYP, MYP and Diploma programmes on both campuses.  The two campuses are 91 kilometres apart. Celebrating its 45th year in 2014 ISM has a strong and well-established reputation, both locally and internationally.  Housed on two attractive 50-acre purpose-built campuses, ISM has a total enrolment of over 500 students (including about 150 boarders on the Moshi campus) from Pre-school to Grade 12.  The student body is remarkable in its diversity, with almost 50 nationalities represented.  The School's Mission is:

 

The International School Moshi provides a world-class education through a challenging international curriculum in a dynamic environment. We are committed to developing balanced global citizens who are empowered to act responsibly in a complex world.

 

In addition to its academic programme, ISM has a great range of co-curricular offerings, including sports, drama, music and the fine arts.  Community service is an integral part of the School. ISM offers a Visiting Schools Programme (VSP), which allows other schools to visit Moshi year round for community service and travel. The ISM Scholarship programme provides both Diploma and MYP scholarships for Tanzanian students.

ISM is accredited by both the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Middle States Association of Colleges & Schools (MSA). 

Moshi This campus welcomes over 300 day and boarding students representing 25 nationalities, including 45% Tanzanian citizens. The Primary School supports the educational needs of over 100 students aged 3-11 years There are over 200 students in the Secondary (M1 – D2) approximately 100 of whom are in the IB Diploma Programme. The self-contained, secure campus consists of 30 general classrooms, three science laboratories, a two-room technology centre, an indoor sports and performance hall, a 25m swimming pool, tennis/basketball courts dining hall and riding stables. New changing rooms, weights room, PE Office and store were completed during the 2014/15 school year and a Design/IT Centre is currently under construction. Plans are being drawn up to build a new IBDP Boarding House, science laboratory and multi-purpose hall.

Arusha Campus

This campus has over 200 day students aged 3-18 years. It is situated 90km away from Moshi Campus about 12km away from the city centre.  It moved to its present site in 1996.

Governance

ISM is registered in Tanzania as a non-profit making limited company.  The Board is composed of representatives chosen by the shareholders.  The Director, Finance Manager and both Heads of Campus are ex officio members of the Board.

Curriculum

ISM is an IB World School offering all three programmes: The IB Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and the IB Diploma Programme. The IB Diploma was authorised on Moshi and Arusha Campuses in 1977 and 2014 respectively. Both campuses were authorised to teach the PYP and MYP in 2007.   ISM was the first school in Africa to offer the IB Diploma.  

Faculty and Staff

The academic faculty of ISM is almost as diverse as the student population, with teachers on Arusha Campus recruited worldwide.  There is a Staff Association and teachers have representation on the Board. 

The Senior Management Team is made up of the Director, both Heads/Deputy Heads of Campus, and the Finance Manager.  Other leadership posts on the Arusha Campus are the Heads of Secondary and Primary and the three programme coordinators.

The Location

The United Republic of Tanzania is located in East Africa bordering the Indian Ocean.  Easily accessible from Europe and the Middle East, it remains a popular tourist destination largely due to its natural scenic beauty, its outstanding wildlife, its peaceful history as well as its historically stable government. 

Expatriates living in and around Moshi and Arusha enjoy a comfortable standard of living.  Local and imported goods and foodstuffs are widely available, and the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of this safe part of Africa provide many opportunities for in-country game park safaris or beach vacations.

THE POSITION

Place in the organisation

•  The Head of Primary reports to the Head of Moshi Campus
•  The Head of Primary (Moshi) is a member of the Campus Management Team (Arusha) and on the Senior Management Team of the International School Moshi.

Job Description

Main purpose of position: To take overall responsibility for the ongoing organization, development and implementation of teaching and learning in the Primary School. The Head of Primary is an active ambassador for the school in the community who is responsible to the Head of Campus and the Director.

Specific responsibilities

Curriculum

• Provide leadership in the implementation of the PYP programme throughout the school.
• Oversee the role of PYP Coordinator
• Monitor the overall academic standards, assessment principles, policies and practices within the Primary School.
• Ensure that all curriculum areas are developed, delivered and assessed appropriately.
• Ensure teaching and learning promotes international mindedness.
•  Evaluate the effectiveness of teaching and learning.
•  Monitor the PYP Action Plan

 

 Administration

• Liaise with Head of Campus and other relevant staff on school queries and admissions.
• Oversee implementation of the annual budget and orders.
• Monitor staff and student attendance.
• Assume a leadership role in the absence of other school administrators.
•  Organize and communicate the class lists, timetable and room allocation in collaboration with other administrators.
•  Work closely with the Head of Boarding on issues related to the boarding programme.
•  Be a member of the Senior Manager on Duty Team (SMOD)

 

Student

•  Ensure student records are maintained by relevant personnel.
•  Liaise with the Learning Support Coordinator to ensure that the needs of students requiring academic support are identified and met.
•  Liaise with staff, students and parents to ensure effective student transition from P6 to M1.
•  Ensure that there is an appropriate and varied programme of extra-curricular activities for primary students.
•  Plan and organise an informative assembly programme that supports and promotes student learning.
•  Ensure that the Primary School is a healthy and safe place.

 

Staff

• Lead, supervise and support the professional staff, teaching assistants and support staff in the primary school.
• Coordinate regular primary meetings to continually develop teaching and learning.
• Organise professional development and in-service workshops.
• Organise cover for staff who are absent from class.
• Assist Head of Campus in the implementation and development of annual professional staff appraisal.
•  Assist where possible the Head of Campus and Director of ISM in the selection of new staff for the Primary section.

 

Communication

• Celebrate student success and learning through newsletters, displays, concerts, and other forums.
• Effectively communicate the philosophy, goals, and practices of the Primary School to the community through regular newsletters, workshops and curriculum documentation.
• Liaise with the Head of Secondary to ensure alignment of ISM and IB practices.
• Liaise closely with the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) Coordinators to encourage sharing of good practice and consistent implementation of the curriculum.
• Liaise closely with the Head of Campus, Division Heads and PYP Coordinator of Arusha Campus to encourage sharing of good practice and consistent implementation of the curriculum school wide.
• Meet regularly with individual primary staff to discuss teaching and learning.
• Report regularly to the Head of Campus regarding the running of the Primary School.
• Provide opportunities for parents to be informed of their child’s learning and their child’s welfare.

General

• To teach a % workload as agreed with the Head of Campus and the Director.
•  Carry out any other appropriate duties as directed by the Head of Campus or the Director of ISM.
•  Serve as a member of the Campus Management Team and the Curriculum Committee

Qualifications

The Head of Primary should:

• Have previous experience in a leadership position within a Primary/Elementary School or Division.
•  Have previous successful experience with International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme
•  Hold an advanced degree
•  Be familiar with PYP authorisation, CIS or similar accreditation processes
•  Demonstrate strong team leadership and excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to enhance the collaboration and partnership between staff, students, parents and the wider community to ensure support and alignment of all stakeholders towards shared school goals
•  Be community-oriented and motivated to involve the full range of the school community - staff, students and parents in the management and development of the Primary School at Moshi campus
•  Be sensitive towards, and familiar with, a diverse range of student learning needs
•  Be sensitive towards cross-cultural issues and understanding
•  Demonstrate success modeling and inspire a love of learning

Salary and Benefits

Competitive salary in the range of gross USD 60,000 per annum, housing, flight allowance, world-wide medical coverage, and tuition for dependent children.

All applications and enquiries should be directed to:

 

Robert Horton

Director – International School Moshi

E-Mail: director@ismoshi.net

 

Please send a full Curriculum Vitae/Resume along with the following:

• A letter of application (one side of A4) explaining how your knowledge and experience matches the job description for the position of Head of Primary/PYP Coordinator
• A list of the e-mail addresses and mobile numbers of three referees, one of whom must be your current direct-line manager
• A recent photograph

 

The deadline for applications is 1st November 2015. Please note that the school management reserves the right to close the search earlier than the above date if they feel that this is in the best interest of the school and therefore urge candidates to apply as early as possible.

 

Attention: If you apply for this position, please inform the school and us (Admin@searchassociates.com) that you saw the notice on the Search Associates website.