Director
Harare International School (Zimbabwe)

JOB VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT - HARARE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

HARARE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Harare, Zimbabwe

seeks a new Director

August 2022

Harare International School (HIS) was founded in 1992 and offers an English-medium, IB-continuum education from an early childhood (EC) program through grade 12 to students of the diplomatic, international, and local communities of Harare. HIS is a leading school in Africa that is fully accredited by the Middle States Association and the Council of International Schools, and is the only International Baccalaureate World School in Zimbabwe, offering the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme, and the IB Diploma Programme.

HIS is guided in its decision making at all levels by its Mission Statement:

Harare International School –

A Boldly Diverse Learning Community that

Inspires Curiosity

Embraces Challenge

Nurtures Personal Growth

HIS boasts a vibrant, close-knit community of local and international families who enjoy what is arguably the world’s best weather and the friendly, welcoming atmosphere of Zimbabwe. For many expatriates, Zimbabwe is considered the ideal posting in Africa. It offers visitors and residents stunning natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and exciting regional travel options such as Victoria Falls, Cape Town, the beaches of Mozambique, and the desserts of Namibia. Harare provides many opportunities for those with hobbies and interests outside of school. International families at HIS are involved in community theatre, rock climbing, nature and wildlife clubs, triathlons, and mountain biking to name just a few. 

As we near the end of the 2020-2021 school year, enrollment is approximately 370 students from 51 nationalities. Enrollment of any one nationality is capped by board policy at 30%. By making inclusion a strategic priority for the school and by implementing a particularly robust distance learning program during the COVID-19 pandemic, enrollment at HIS is growing toward its full capacity of 500 students.

The HIS campus is spread out among 21 lush acres in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood of Harare. The buildings were custom-designed by renowned architect Mick Pearce to naturally regulate temperature and reflect Zimbabwe’s beauty and culture. The campus layout takes advantage of Zimbabwe’s climate with outdoor learning spaces, open areas for community events like International Day and Mayfair, and plenty of space for the resident peacocks and guinea fowl to roam.

The elementary facility consists of 20 classrooms, a library, an art room, a multi-media center, a music room, two outdoor playing courts, and a playground. The middle and high schools have 27 classrooms, four of which are fitted as science labs, and a separate art center. The physical education facility houses an enclosed gymnasium, a multipurpose room, a fitness center, and a shower/changing facility. In addition, the school has a large sports field, an outdoor basketball court, and a 25-meter pool with eight swimming lanes that meets FINA requirements. The Performing Arts Center houses a 556-seat theater, music and drama classrooms, music practice rooms, and support facilities for the theatre that include makeup/changing rooms and a stagecraft workshop.

HIS is registered as a non-profit Association and is governed by a majority-elected Board of Governors. Five board members are elected by the Association of parents/guardians, two members are appointed by the U.S. Embassy, and up to two members may be appointed by the Board itself. Board members serve for three-year terms and receive regular training in good governance practices.

HIS has a faculty of 53 full-time faculty members. Specialists are provided in the areas of Music, Physical Education, French, Spanish, Design, Learning Support Services, and English-as-an-Additional-Language. The maximum class size is 18 in Early Childhood and 22 in all other grade levels. The Director is supported by two leadership teams: an educational leadership team consisting of two principals, three curriculum coordinators, and two counselors, and a senior administrative team consisting of a business manager, human resources manager, facilities security manager, admissions officer and tech director.

The Position

As the school’s Chief Operating and Educational Officer, the Director is responsible for the school’s overall management and operations. The Director works with the Board of Governors to implement policies that contribute to achieving the school’s mission and strategic priorities.

Position Qualifications

Professional Profile

•  Advanced degree in Education or equivalent.
• Teaching experience, preferably in an IB-continuum school.
• International school experience, in a leadership and management capacity.
• Leadership and management skills focusing on the future development of the school and the successful implementation of the school’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Proven leadership within an international school at the Director, Deputy Director level.
• Ability to recruit and retain committed and impactful teachers.
• Understanding of financial management in a dynamic economic environment preferred.

Personal Characteristics

•  Deep commitment to learning and inclusion.
• Collaborative leadership style, capable of developing and promoting strong teams.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively and generate trust with a school community.
• Open minded, with the ability to promote intercultural understanding and international mindedness.
• Strong organizational and proven problem-solving skills.
• Highly ethical with a commitment to “doing the right thing.”
• Agile and comfortable with a dynamic operating environment.
• Ability to represent the school in local and international circles and to communicate diplomatically and clearly with all constituents.
• Experience with design thinking strongly preferred

Compensation and Benefits

The salary and benefits are competitive and will depend on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. Benefits include furnished housing with paid utilities, comprehensive medical insurance, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, a retirement program, use of an automobile, fuel allowance, professional development support, shipping allowance, and full school tuition for dependents enrolled in HIS.

Application Procedures

Harare International School has appointed Search Associates to act as their consultant in the search for the new Director with Dr. Brent Mutsch serving as the lead consultant. The deadline for making an application for the position is April 26, 2021. Candidates should submit a letter of interest and the requested materials as early as possible, as the Search Committee reserves the right to close the selection process at any time if an outstanding candidate is identified early in the process.

The review of files will begin as soon as applications are received. Finalists will be selected by the Search Committee mid-May. These candidates, along with their spouses, will be invited to the Harare International School campus for a multi-day campus visit either in advance of the conclusion of the current school year or early in the fall.  Finalist candidates will visit the campus and meet with students, parents, faculty, non-teaching staff, administrators, and members of the Board. The new Director will be selected after the conclusion of the school visit.

Candidates should send the information listed below as a single PDF file attached to an email:

• A letter of application, explaining your strengths as a candidate and why you are interested in the Director position at HIS.
• A statement describing your management and educational philosophy, not to exceed two pages.
• A current resume not to exceed two pages.
• A one-page list of references who have served as immediate supervisors with a current address, phone number and email address.

A maximum of three letters of reference that may already be in your possession 

Total document size should be kept to less than 5MB. Applications should be sent to: bmutsch@searchassociates.com

Additional information about the Harare International School can be found on the school’s website at: www.harare-international-school.com   

Dr. Brent Mutsch

Email : bmutsch@searchassociates.com                                                                                            

Telephone:  970-368-6879  USA (Mountain Time Zone)

Skype: brentmutsch    

HIS endorses the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants for positions at the school must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including and not limited to police checks and reference checks with past employers.

HIS is an equal opportunity employer and provides opportunities to all employees and job applicants without discrimination on the basis of gender, religion, race, or individual identity.