Pharo Foundation (“the Foundation”) is a mission-driven, non-profit organisation that designs, funds, and operates economic development programmes to achieve its vision of a vibrant, productive, and self-reliant Africa. Over the next decade, our goal is to create maximum impact towards three critical missions:

1. Empowering the next generation: Our education mission is to ensure that all students have an opportunity to access a high-quality, affordable education, and become productive citizens of a rapidly changing world.
2. Eliminating barriers to employment and productivity: Our productivity mission is to identify and eliminate health, financial, and structural barriers to employment and productivity for working people.
3. Solving water scarcity: Our water mission is to ensure that people and communities across Africa have access to a safe and affordable source of water.

We are a diverse, multicultural, and passionate organisation, with over 700 employees in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Somaliland. Our headquarters are in Nairobi, Kenya, and we have a liaison office in London, UK, which is home to our parent organisation, Pharo Management.

Position Summary

We are seeking an outstanding and dedicated Primary School Principal to lead our Pharo Primary School in Hargeisa, Somaliland with excellence. As the educational leader and Chief Administrator, the Principal plays a pivotal role in overseeing all aspects of the school's operations. This includes implementing and upholding policies, regulations, and procedures to create a safe and enriching learning environment for students while fostering the professional growth of staff members. Responsibilities entail strategic planning, organisation effective management, and direct supervision of educational programmes and personnel. Additionally, the Principal is entrusted with ensuring that the Vision, Mission, and Values of the Pharo Foundation serve as the guiding principles shaping the school's culture.

Position: Primary School Principal

Location: Hargeisa, Somaliland

Reporting to: Head of Education

Contract Type:   Fixed Term (One year)

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership

• Serve as the instructional leader and demonstrate authentic leadership skills.
• Lead a cohesive, committed, driven, and high-performing team.
• Provide continuous feedback to staff to ensure the highest academic standards are achieved and maintained.
• Ensure the lowest absenteeism levels.
• Maintain presence and visibility around the school.

Academics

• Achieve academic excellence and work towards establishing Pharo Primary as the top primary school in Hargeisa.
• Collect and analyse data regarding the needs and achievement of students, including Somaliland Assessments, and other pertinent information affecting the design and implementation of educational programmes, using the information to recommend improvements and make modifications.
• Plan, design, and conduct follow-through strategies pertaining to curriculum development, and the implementation of instructional programs and activities.
• Conduct and maintain the school’s performance evaluation information to ensure that academic goals and objectives are achieved and that all levels of staff adhere to the Foundation’s educational standards and goals.
• Lead school and decision-making processes to ensure the development of a comprehensive programme that includes annual student achievement targets.
• Supervise the instructional programmes of the school, evaluating lesson plans and observing classes on a regular basis to encourage the use of a variety of instructional strategies and materials consistent with research on learning and child growth and development.
• Ensure that the instructional programmes engage the learner in tasks that require analytical and critical thinking, problem solving and creativity, and that they address the range of skills and developmental needs found in the classroom.
• Offer academic support programmes such as holiday classes, remedial classes and individual tutoring for students that need it.
• Establish the master schedule for instructional programmes, ensuring sequential learning experiences for students.
• Plan, develop, and provide management reports pertaining to the academic reporting requirements of the school for the Somaliland Head of Education.

Human Resources

• Select, interview, direct, and evaluate all school personnel.
• Conduct annual reviews and performance appraisals of all staff to assess their performance and identify areas for development.
• Supervise all personnel assigned to the Primary school, establish clear expectations for roles, responsibilities, and performance to ensure that all job responsibilities are met and exceeded.
• Direct and participate in formal and informal classroom visitations and observations of all teaching staff.
• Recommend discipline, reassignment or termination action as appropriate, document evidence of substandard performance.
• Organise, supervise, and conduct staff professional development and staff training programmes.
• Ensure proper communication and cooperation with all staff by holding regular meetings.
• Regularly update staff on the Foundation policies and procedures and implement changes.
• Ensure the Foundation Vision, Mission and Values are incorporated into the operations of the School.
• Establish and maintain procedures for conflict resolution in an effort to maintain a high level of staff morale.

Administration and Operations

• Direct the preparation and maintenance of records and reports regarding student attendance, welfare, discipline, safety, academic achievement, certification for graduation and others as directed.
• Direct the maintenance of files pertaining to school personnel, facilities, inventories, financial information and contracts.
• Manage, control, and monitor the Education Management System.
• Assure proper management, maintenance, and inventory of materials, equipment, building and grounds.
• Manage the physical facilities, identify needs, and recommend additions, modifications, and services.
• Assist in the development, implementation, interpretation, and administration of policies, procedures, rules and regulations, and negotiated employee agreements.
• Ensure compliance with all Somaliland laws, regulations and policies.
• Ensure the reputational integrity of the school and the Foundation is maintained through operational excellence.
• Maintain confidentiality of work-related issues and Pharo Foundation related information.

Finance

• Prepare the annual budget of the school.
• Ensure the proper financial management of the school and strict adherence to the financial policies of the Foundation.
• Plan, develop, and implement budget planning and expenditure control procedures.
• Ensure proper allocation of funds for instructional and non-instructional equipment and materials.
• Ensure that tuition fees are collected and recorded in a timely and accurate manner.
• Ensure proper follow-up on outstanding fees.

Student Safety

• Supervise or schedule the supervision of students on campus before and after school, during lunch, recess, and student activities, discipline students according to established guidelines.
• Assure the health, safety, and welfare of students; oversee attendance, behaviour management, guidance, and other student support services.
• Ensure the school has effective safeguarding policies and procedures including a Child Protection Policy, a Staff Behaviour Policy or Code of Conduct.
• Administer first aid as needed according to established procedures.
• Develop safety protocols and emergency response procedures and ensure they are updated as required.

Parent, Community, and Public Engagement

• Establish, coordinate, and maintain communication with community and parent groups.
• Prepare and write correspondence, bulletins, and other communications on behalf of the school; arrange for school-level public relations and publicity for special events and achievements as appropriate.
• Attend, conduct, and chair a variety of meetings with faculty, parents and community representatives.
• Respond to and resolve parent, student, and staff complaints; represent the school at various functions.
• Assist the school community and the public in their awareness of Pharo Foundation’s Vision, Mission, and Values.

• The ideal person should possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a related field (Master’s Degree is preferred).
• Minimum 6 years of teaching experience, preferably at the Elementary School level, and preferably in more than one grade level.
• Minimum 3-4 years of experience in school leadership/ administration required.
• Excellent communicator, written and spoken, in English, Somali and Arabic.
• Familiarity with computers and other school technologies and software packages.

Behavioural Competencies

• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks.
• Analytical thinker with strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
• Detail-oriented with excellent time-management skills.
• Remarkable professionalism and solid work ethic.
• Optimistic, resilient, and energetic with the willingness to make a change.
• A role model across the school in terms of punctuality, attendance, positive engagement and professional relations among staff.
• Excellent moral character; honest, trustworthy, and dependable.
• A confident and charismatic communicator, persuader, listener, and motivator.

This position is open to both female and male nationals from Somaliland. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

The application deadline is June 7th, 2024.

Review of applications will begin as soon as they are received, and only complete applications will be considered.  

Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that we will only contact shortlisted candidates.

Application Requirement

1. A detailed CV.
2. Cover letter - In your cover letter, please indicate your motivation for the role and state where you heard about this position or saw it advertised e.g., through our website, jobs board, etc.
3. 1,000-word essay on why you are the most qualified candidate for the role.
4. An updated list of at least five (5) referees with their names, titles, current email addresses and phone numbers.