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Head of Education

The Pharo Foundation

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Education

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8 years - 10 years

1 Position

2023-07-25

to

2023-08-07

Required Skills
Required skills have not yet been specified for this position this job
Fields of study

Educational Planning and Management

Full Time

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Job Description

Organisation Overview 

Pharo Foundation (the ‘’Foundation”) is a privately funded entrepreneurial organisation that runs philanthropic programmes as well as a for-profit arm, Pharo Ventures. The Vision of the Foundation is an economically vibrant and inclusive Africa. The Mission is to achieve the Vision by investing in the human and physical capital of Africa, with a strong focus on job creation. 

Established in 2011, The Foundation has been implementing numerous programmes in Ethiopia and Somaliland and is in the process of expanding into Rwanda and Kenya. The strategic pillars of the Foundation are education, health, water, and agriculture. One such example is the ongoing implementation of a large scale water project in Somaliland with the aim of bringing water to 6,000 households and their livestock. In 2020, the Foundation also established Pharo Ventures, its wholly owned social enterprise arm, with the objectives of economic value and job creation in East Africa.   

The Foundation has a programme office in Assosa, the regional capital of Ethiopia's Benishangul Gumuz Regional State (BGRS), with plans to expand operations in the country. Since its establishment in 2016, the Foundation’s programme office has been working on an integrated livelihood development programme that covers agriculture, water, health, and education. The main objective of the education programme is to increase access to high-quality education in our programme areas by improving the physical learning environment of schools, enhancing the capability of educators at all levels, offering skill-enhancing trainings for job creation, and setting up and operating model schools. 

Headquartered in London, the Foundation has an operational head office in Nairobi, Kenya with country offices in Ethiopia (Addis Ababa and Assosa), Somaliland (Hargeisa), and Rwanda (Kigali) with further expansion plans in Africa. 

Position Summary 

The Head of Education position is a key leadership role within the Foundation that will be entrusted with the overall responsibility of developing and managing the Foundation’s education strategy and activities in Ethiopia. The Foundation aims to provide the highest quality education to the children and young adults of Ethiopia and is now actively looking for a driven and passionate individual who wants to make real change for the future of Ethiopia.  Pharo Foundation’s Education programme is currently focussed on Addis Ababa and Benishangul Gumuz Regional State and might expand further in the future 

The position is based in Addis Ababa, will be part of the Leadership Team and report to the Country Director. The Head of Education will work closely with and maintain a functional relationship with the Director of Education, based in Nairobi, and other members of Pharo’s Education team in the region. This is a high-level, well-remunerated role that will give the right candidate an excellent mix of challenge and fulfilment. 

The role encompasses all aspects of the educational strategy and operations, from early childhood to secondary school as well as higher education and vocational schools. It includes, among others, designing education projects, overseeing academic standards, recruitment of staff and students, well-being of students, future expansion plans, financial budgeting, financial management and controls and external relationships with community and governmental stakeholders. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Strategy

  • Work with the Director of Education to develop a comprehensive multi-year, multi-school education and expansion strategy for the Foundation in Ethiopia.

  • Implementing the education strategy of the Foundation in Ethiopia, as agreed with the Country Director of Ethiopia, Director of Education , the CEO, and the Board of Trustees.

  • Conduct a situation analysis and feasibility study to start education programmes and Pharo Schools in Addis Ababa. 

Academic

  • Provide leadership and guidance on curriculum selection and ensure the highest academic standards are achieved at all levels.

  • Ensure Pharo Schools attract and retain the best students for academic excellence.

  • Create the “Pharo School” brand name as Centres of Excellence in education in Ethiopia.

  • Implement the Pharo Hallmark across all Pharo Schools and ensure compliance and alignment with the global brand standard of Pharo Schools.

  • Ensure Pharo Schools are accredited and compliant with all national (and when applicable) international standards.

  • Ensure the highest standards of teaching and learning pedagogy.

  • Promote the focus on the holistic child in all Pharo Schools.

  • Promote the teaching of 21st century skills with a key focus on critical thinking and problem solving.

Human Resources Development and Management  

  • Attract and retain the highest quality teachers, administrative and support staff.

  • Develop and implement procedures to train, supervise, evaluate and upgrade staff continuously to ensure high academic and work standards.

  • Ensure all students and staff are informed of and internalise the Pharo Culture, Vision, Mission and Values.

  • Establish a culture of open communication, shared learning and cooperation across all Pharo Schools.

  • Promote Continuous Professional Development (CPD) of teachers and direct reports.

Financial Management

  • Prepare and manage multi-year financial plan for the Education programmes and Pharo Schools.

  • Put controls in place to ensure all schools run with fiscal responsibility and accountability.

  • Undertake regular financial reporting as guided by the fiscal policies of the Foundation.

Compliance, Audit and Risk

  • Ensure that all Pharo Schools in Ethiopia are in compliance with all local and national requirements and policies as well as Pharo’s organisational policies, procedures and standards.

  • Protect the Pharo Schools and the Foundation from undue risk exposure and mitigate where necessary. 

  • Ensure that regular financial, management and academic audits are carried out in all Pharo Schools and Pharo Education Programmes in Ethiopia.

Project Management and Operational Management

  • Lead the Pharo School expansion projects end-to-end. 

  • Oversee the asset management, maintenance and tracking at all Pharo Schools. 

  • Lead the programme implementation of various and diverse education programmes in Ethiopia. 

  • Supervise Pharo’s Scholarship programme for tertiary education scholarship of Pharo School graduates in Ethiopia and abroad. 

Stakeholder Relationships

  • Ensure good working relationships with cooperation and support from governmental entities, parents, alumni and the larger community.

  • Represent the Foundation in educational forums in Ethiopia.

  • Represent Pharo Schools in the media and public engagements in Ethiopia.

Reporting

  • Ensure open and continuous communication with the Director of Education and all key stakeholders.

  • Provide regular reports on all aspects of the schools’ business and operations.

  • Inform the Director of Education and the Country Representative, Ethiopia of any issues or concerns that might jeopardise Pharo Schools or the Foundation with respect to non-compliance, reputational risk, or safeguarding.

Role: Head of Education  

Location:  Addis Ababa 

Reporting to: Country Director (Ethiopia)  

Functional Relationships: Director of Education (Nairobi), Heads of Education (Somaliland and Rwanda), and Program Managers 

Direct Reports: Principals/Heads of Pharo Schools in Ethiopia, Education Coordinator BGRS, Scholarship Coordinator Ethiopia 

Job Requirements

 Qualification Requirements  

  • Bachelor’s degree in Education, with a Master’s degree being an added advantage.

  • S/he must possess a minimum of ten (10) years professional experience, eight (8) of these in senior management roles in the education sector or as a School Head/Principal.

  • Demonstrated experience in successfully recruiting, retaining and developing educators, staff and administrators.

  • A proven track record to manage complex projects and prior experience in establishing new schools and or leading business plan development for starting schools and training centers.

  • Excellent business acumen.

  • The ability to work autonomously, have strong self-motivation and the maturity to remain accountable for results.

  • Excellent communication skills both when working with peers and colleagues, as well as when remaining an approachable and accessible figure to direct reports. 

Personal Attributes

  • Great attention to detail and a flexible approach to work. 

  • Hands on problem solver with a can-do attitude and willingness to roll up her/his sleeves.

  • High professional and ethical standards.

  • Structured and process oriented. 

  • Excellent time and project management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities.

  • Motivated to learn and perform and not afraid to ask questions.

  • Willing to challenge the status quo and add value by introducing positive change.

  • Excellent communicator and comfortable to work in a team environment.

  • Positive outlook and outgoing personality with solid leadership, interpersonal and diplomatic skills.

How to Apply

Review of applications will begin as soon as they are received, and only complete applications will be considered. In the event that an outstanding applicant is identified early in the search process, we reserve the right to appoint before the deadline. For this reason, we encourage interested candidates to apply at the earliest possible time. Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that we will only be able to contact shortlisted candidates

A detailed CV and Covering Letter. In your cover letter, please state where you heard about this position or saw it advertised e.g. through our website, jobs board, etc.

An essay of no more than 1,000 words outlining:  

What education leadership experience have you gained that makes you the most

qualified candidate for the role?    

What is your plan and/or experience in transforming schools into high performing

schools? Kindly give an example from your past experience, if any.  

A one-page list of five references with current addresses, phone numbers, and email contacts. 

Interested applicants can apply using THIS LINK

Fields Of Study

Educational Planning and Management

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