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Appointed - Dr. Greg Moncada
Feb 17, 2023
Mar 20, 2023
Dear Search Associates Colleagues,
On behalf of the Board of Governors of Harare International School and Search Associates, we are pleased to announce that Dr. Greg Moncada has been appointed as the new Director to begin in August 2023.
Dr. Moncada is currently the Founding Director of the Qatar Academy for Science and Technology in Doha, Qatar, a position he has held since 2017. In addition to his current leadership role, Dr. Moncada has also served as the Principal of the International Community School in Lake Washington School District in Washington, High School Principal at the American International School of Vienna and Academic Dean, Middle School Principal and Assistant Director at the American International School of Johannesburg.
Dr. Moncada earned his B.S. in Science at Louisiana State University, his M.A. in Education at Louisiana State University and his Ed.D. in Policy and Administration at the University of Minnesota.
The Harare International School Board of Governors, the HIS Search Committee and Search Associates would like to thank all candidates who expressed interest in the Director position and to everyone within Search Associates who assisted in supporting the successful search process.
Sincerely,
Brent
JOB VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT - HARARE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
HARARE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Harare, Zimbabwe
seeks a new Director
August 2023
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 Continuum School in Zimbabwe, offering the Primary Years Program, the Middle Years Program, and the IB Diploma Program.
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 deserts 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 but a few.
As we near the end of the 2022-2023 school year, enrollment is approximately 380 students from 41 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 is preferred.
Competencies
- 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.
- Ability to communicate regularly and transparently with HIS Board in management and financial matters.
- 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 March 20, 2023. 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 by early to mid-April. These candidates, along with their spouses, will be invited to Harare International School campus for a multi-day campus visit prior to the conclusion of the current school year. 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 telephone numbers and email addresses.
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: 970-368-0395 USA (Eastern Time Zone)
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.
