Head of Education with experience in managing networks of schools 313 views3 applications

EMS seeks to recruit, on behalf of a Christian faith-based international NGO, a passionate, strategic, resilient and determined Head of Education who will be a key change agent in driving school improvement in collaboration with School Governing Bodies and School Leadership Teams, supported by 14 education team members.

The position will be a permanent appointment and will be based in Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa. Candidates must be willing to take on the role for a minimum period of 3 years.

If you have the passion to:

· drive school level change that has the potential to influence and strengthen the education system;

· lead from a place of humility and possibility;

· collaborate and partner respectfully with other key change agents and influencers;

· create opportunities that will dignify and strengthen our greatest school assets – leaders, teachers, parents and learners;

· draw on your extensive experience in leading excellent schools within the public schools context, then we welcome you to apply to join our dynamic and visionary team.

·

PURPOSE AND PRIORITIES:

· As a pioneering leader with at least five years of school leadership experience, you will need to work closely with numerous stakeholders, with an emphasis on delivering high quality results in both primary and high school;

· You will ensure that each Principal and School Leadership Team receives the appropriate balance of

challenge, support and professional development that facilitates school improvement and crucially achieves outstanding outcomes for learners;

· You will provide senior school leaders with the high level direction and expertise required to enable him/her to provide purposeful leadership on a daily basis and to deliver an outstanding education for all learners through consistent and sustained improvement;

· You will lead the design, direction and management of professional development of a group of Principals and School Management Team (SMTs) members, enabling us continually to raise the aspirations of learners and teachers alike;

· The Head of Education will work to unite all schools in an unwavering commitment to the highest achievement for all, regardless of background or ability;

· The Head of Education will play a key role in embedding the NGO’s vision and standards, ensuring proper induction for principals and their teams, and identifying specific areas for targeted intervention, as well as leading the design of school improvement plans;

· You will work closely with the NGO’s senior leaders to develop a range of communication strategies.

STRATEGY:

· Understands how to set high aspirations and lead effective strategies across all aspects of a school

including curriculum, learning, administration, finance and communication;

· Together with the SGB and Principal set and develop the strategic vision, values and ethos for each school;

· Work with the Principals ensuring clear alignment of key school improvement priorities and rigorously monitor progress against the actions required to meet them;

· Overall responsibility for reporting to the Education Programme Director on the strategy, improvement initiatives and performance of each school;

· Provide strategic advice and guidance to Principals to ensure all staff are line managed with performance;

· targets and that roles and responsibilities underpin plans for continuous improvement and are clearly

defined amongst the senior leadership team.

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AND PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT/MONITORING:

· Lead and work closely with the Head of Academics and Instructional Development in ensuring clear

· alignment of key school improvement priorities and rigorously monitor progress against the actions required to meet them;

· Direct management, coaching and mentoring of each Principal to ensure both in-school and systematic improvement;

· Establish a shared culture between schools that enables everyone to work collaboratively, share best

· practice, celebrate success and accept responsibility for outcomes;

· Ensure that the schools (under the day-to-day leadership of the Principals) make rapid and sustained

· improvement, with minimal disruption to progress ensuring that aspirations and standards continue to rise over the long term;

· Work with each Principal to ensure they are prepared for all WCED requirements and monitoring visits. In conjunction with each Principal, ensure improvement strategies (including those areas identified during monitoring visits) are mapped out, actioned and followed up;

· Lead the on-going development of staffing structures in schools to ensure they are sustainable, fit for purpose and facilitate collaboration and continuous improvement across each school;

· Overall responsibility for assessment and target setting systems including direct support to the

· Principals/SLT on self-evaluation, ensuring it is rooted in secure data;

· Provide guidance to the Principals to ensure that arrangements for pastoral care are effective and that all safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures are understood and adheredto;

· In conjunction with the Principals, monitor, evaluate and review the quality of assessment, teaching and learning and the progress/attainment of learners throughout the school;

· Work with the Principals to challenge under performance at all levels and ensure effective corrective action, support and review;

· Establish creative, responsive and effective approaches to teaching and learning; ensuring high quality teaching is at the heart of strategic planning and resource management;

· Maximise opportunities for all learners through continuous school-wide focus on learners’ achievement, using data and baselines to monitor progress in every child’s learning;

· Provide on-going advice and guidance to Principals to ensure all parental, community and media communications are consistent in message and well-targeted;

· Support the Programme Director: Education in developing the Principal-teacher network; including hub day training and contribution to network meetings;

· Any other duties as directed by the Programme Director.

**
EXPERIENCE: **

**
Education**

· Recognised REQV14 teacher qualification; must have

· Recognised 3 to 4 year teaching qualification; must have

· At least 7 years actual teaching experience. must have

**
Leadership**

· Minimum of 5 years in school management; must have

· Experience of having worked successfully in at least one school in an urban, multi-cultural setting, teaching students from backgrounds of socioeconomic disadvantage; preferred

· Successful team leadership and strong track record of results. must have

**
Strategy**

· Clear ability to set and develop the strategic vision, values and ethos for each school with the x Principals and rigorously monitor progress against the actions required to meet them; must have

· Understands how to set high aspirations and lead effective strategies across all aspects of a school x including curriculum, learning, administration, finance and communication. *must have**

**
Culture**

· Worked cross culturally in South Africa. preferred

**
Financial**

· Managed budget and financial processes. preferred

**
Relationship management**

· Skillful and engaging leadership and political nous for maintaining effective working relationships with parents, governors and other stakeholders. *must have**

**
Communication**

· Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills. *must have**

**
Innovation**

· Extreme flexibility and the ability to multi-task, with a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate high levels of responsibility and multiple priorities, while working towards clarity in an ever-changing environment. *must have**

**
Justice**

· Passion for Social Justice demonstrated through background/experience. *must have**

Education Development

· Comprehensive understanding of national policy, legislation and current international thinking on education achievement and improvement. *must have**