The Pharo Foundation is a privately funded entrepreneurial organisation that runs philanthropic programmes as well as for-profit social enterprises. Pharo School Homosha is currently the Foundation’s largest education project and is located in the Benishangul-Gumuz regional state of Ethiopia. Extending over 3.4 hectares, with over 7,000 square meters of purposely designed educational space, the school is the first of its kind in the region; a modern educational and boarding campus with a 240 female student capacity, aiming to offer the best educational opportunities to bright, highly motivated girls from across the region. Our focus on female education is in response to the challenges girls face in accessing high quality secondary schooling. This shapes the School’s vision of achieving all-round academic and personal development of its students to reach their highest potential and become future leaders and role models. 

Position Summary:

As the school moves into its third year of operation in September 2020, it is seeking an outstanding, dedicated and experienced educator 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 with 21^st century instructional design and teaching pedagogies, 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.
• Leading the design, implementation and development of strategies to support teachers’ professional growth to develop student centered, project based learning environments.
•  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 team teaching 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  of 21^st 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;

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 campus management
• Participation in regional/local education platforms as required for compliance with the country’s education policy.
• Representing the Headmistress and assuming overall responsibility for the students and school campus when the Headmistress is away from the campus.

 Specific administrative responsibilities include:

•  Updating of Staff and Student handbooks and other school forms.
• Ordering of academic resources, school supplies and equipment.
• Meeting with academic staff to resolve urgent issues.
• Meeting with students’ parents to resolve urgent 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.

Qualification Requirements

Must be able to demonstrate:

• Graduate or Postgraduate diploma/degree in education management or other related disciplines.
• Relevant teacher credentials.
• Experience working and living in a boarding school or similar environment, with constant interaction with students and staff.
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience as a progressive and passionate classroom educator, preferably with an international school; five (5) of these must have been in school leadership roles.
• Experience in school administration in such positions as vice principal/principal, assistant director/director, head teacher/department head.
• Experience in best teaching and learning practices and assessment
• Experience working in an English language learning (ELL) environment
•  Experience working in a developing nation.
• Mastery of the English language (comprehension, speaking, writing and reading).
• Outstanding technology/computer skills in administration and in the classroom.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in Microsoft packages.

Behavioral Competencies

• Superb management skills: able to manage and engage with colleagues from diverse backgrounds in a professional and compelling manner
• Dedicated team player with demonstrable experience in school administration
• Self-assured, internally motivated and passionate individual with outstanding communication skills, driven to succeed and make a difference.
• Possess high levels of integrity, resilience, accountability, commitment and determination.
• Demonstrable ability in   building strong relationships with students, staff and parents
• Working knowledge of Amharic will be a strong advantage for the role holder.

 Salary and Benefits

 The salary and benefits package is competitive and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. On campus accommodations and meals are provided, while the school is in session.