Head Teacher (IITA International School) at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

IITA is an international non-profit agricultural research-for-development (R4D) organization established in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and a member of the CGIAR Consortium. Our R4D approach is anchored on the development needs of the tropics. We work with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture. We have more than 100 internationally recruited scientists from about 35 countries and 900 nationally recruited staff based in various stations across Africa.

We invite applications for the internationally recruited position of:

Job Title: Head Teacher, IITA International School

Ref No: DDG-PCD/HT/IIS/06/15
Location: Ibadan

Background and Responsibilities
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) seeks a highly qualified and experienced Head Teacher to provide professional leadership for its international school which secures its success and improvement, ensuring high quality education for all its pupils and good standards of learning and achievement.

The School:

• Established in 1972, The International School of IITA is a private, co-educational school with children of all nationalities from the ages of 18 months to 14 years old. The School is a member of AISA and CIS and has the advantage of being situated within the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, an agricultural research station of outstanding beauty.
• The children not only benefit from a well-resourced, safe and caring school but also from an environment rich in opportunities for meaningful and practical learning.
• Governed by the IITA Management and run by the Head Teacher and a team of teachers, the School draws on its Anglo-American foundation to deliver a broad based international primary and middle school curriculum.
• English, with a supporting EAL programme, is the medium of instruction.
• Preparation for secondary school entrance examinations is given and a number of students have gone on to achieve coveted places at schools in Nigeria as well as in the UK and the USA.
• The School year commences in early September and runs through to the end of June.
• A full extra-curricular program operates in the afternoons and includes French, drama, gymnastics, computers, singing and drumming, games, art and craft, and aerobics.

School Mission:

• To provide a comprehensive, international curriculum in an environment which promotes confidence, compassion and understanding, and prepares our students for successful learning here and in schools around the world.

Position/Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the Head of School include but are not limited to the following:

• Manage effectively all aspects and change processes for a successful school.
• Develop and implement a broad and relevant curriculum and innovative approaches to teaching and learning to meet the needs of all students; monitor and evaluate the curriculum for both quality and value for money.
• Work closely with Management to ensure that the school vision and strategic plan are effective and pertinent to the school's goals. They should be clearly articulated, shared, understood and acted upon effectively by all.
• Work within the school community to translate the vision into agreed objectives and operational plans which will promote and sustain continual school improvement and a sense of team ownership.
• Ensure that strategic planning takes account of the diversity, values and experience of the school and community at large.
• Ensures creativity, innovation and the use of appropriate new technologies and initiatives to achieve excellence.
• Implement appropriate prevention, preparedness, and health and safety practices.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships between school, students and parents to support learning.
• Have overall responsibility for the management and performance of the school; ensure that management, finances and administration of the school supports its vision and aims.
• Manage performance, utilising all staff effectively, challenging and addressing under-performance whilst providing for the continuous professional development of all staff.
• Ensure that educational provision and achievement for pupils with special needs are maximized through an appropriate mix of integrated and specialist needs provision. Motivates and works with others to create a shared culture and positive climate.
• Build a collaborative learning culture and, with other schools, agencies and partners (especially with the schools within Ibadan and Lagos) continue to build effective learning communities to promote excellence in teaching and learning.
• Carry out any duties as may be reasonably required by the Supervisor.

Qualification and Experience
Required qualifications and experience:

• Graduate degree (Masters) in International Education, Education Management, Education Leadership, or a related field
• At least five years of international experience as head of school or administrator of a sizeable school division
• Fluency in English

Desired Qualities and Experience:

• Experience of leadership in an international school and strong up to date knowledge of relevant curriculum and current learning strategies.
• Ability to provide effective leadership and ensure strategic development within the school.
• Exceptional interpersonal and public communication skills related to an educational environment.
• Prior experience of working in a developing country
• Knowledge of teaching strategies needed to establish high aspirations with regard to results and behaviours.
• Personal, successful experience of leading a school through one or more accreditation processes
• Knowledge of/or experience with Montessori and PYP/IB
• Ability to create a safe, nurturing and challenging learning environment that encompasses developmentally appropriate practices, establishes foundations for future growth, and engages young people in building social skills and knowledge.
• Commitment to inclusive and comprehensive strategic planning
• Demonstrated experience in successfully managing change
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including students, staff, board members, parents and external communities.
• Ability to recruit, guide, motivate and blend competent national and international faculty and staff members.
• Financial acumen and budgeting experience with excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Experience or willingness to participate in fund-raising from parents, business, community members and local government.
• Cross-cultural openness and understanding
• Prior educational experience outside of home country.
• Strong work ethic, problem solving abilities, and excellent organizational and administrative skills.

Desired Personal Characteristics:

• Focused and organized, with excellent time management skill, able to delegate tasks
• Ability to generate trust among all constituent groups and to develop a shared vision for the school
• Honest and open with staff, students and parents
• Ability to create and lead a learning community in which all members have a desire to inquire, evaluate and challenge thinking.
• Approachable with an ‘open door’ policy and a visible presence on the campus
• Innovative and willing to learn; especially in regards to new pedagogy and educational technology
• Strong moral and ethical code
• Strong, compassionate, diplomatic and approachable communicator in a diverse cultural environment.

General Information

• We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive fringe benefits and excellent working conditions
• in a pleasant campus environment.
• The contract will be for an initial period of three years. IITA offers an internationally competitive remuneration package paid in US Dollars.

Application Closing Date
30th September, 2015.

Method of Application
Applications must include covering letter which should address how the candidate’s background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three professional referees (which must include either the Head of the applicant’s current organization or applicant’s direct Supervisor/Superior at his/her present place of work). The application should be addressed to the Head, Human Resources Service.

Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

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