Director, Education and Teacher Training

• Village Health Works
• Burundi
• Apply by 13 July 2017

• Full-time staff position
• Posted on 13 June 2017

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Job Description

Position Overview

We are seeking an extraordinary candidate to take the current education program, which is a public/private collaboration, now serving 560 children in Pre-K through Grade 9. Kigutu Fundamental School, as it is known, includes both the independent preschool program, after-school arts and technology program and teacher support program, merged and operating in conjunction with the local government school. This
Education Director will lead the growth of Kigutu Fundamental School with the government-appointed school director which will eventually also include VHW’s brand new residential independent secondary school (Kigutu International Academy) and the initiation of a teacher training college.

This position reports directly to the VHW Country Director and is expected to be the day-to-day leader of the entire education program, including a faculty of 33 Burundian teachers from VHW and the government-supported school, plus three expatriate educators. The Director will also be responsible for overseeing the current educational program and providing vision and leadership on the secondary school program and the teacher training college over the next several years in collaboration with the Education Support Committee, VHW senior staff and the VHW board of

%3D%26page%3D1%26keywords%255B%255D%3Dburundi#">directors. As the program grows, two principals/associate directors will be recruited and hired, with critical input from the Director.
Responsibilities

• Establish vision and direction setting for teachers, staff and students
• Partner with the Director of the Kigutu Fundamental School to most effectively implement agreed upon education vision and direction.
• Lead initiatives to develop curriculum and program to support and improve achievement in all grades.
• Promote the academic success of all students, including helping teachers to create and monitor individual learning plans as needed.
• Observe and evaluate teachers on an ongoing basis.
• Establish and support a culture of support, mutual respect and safety.
• Promote the growth of the teacher training initiatives/professional development in line with best practices of progressive education.
• Work closely with the Country Director, school faculty, Ministry of Education, NY office staff, CEO, Education Support Committee, and other invited stakeholders to actualize plans for expansion of program to include the secondary school (Kigutu International Academy) and teacher training college.

Qualifications

• Fluency in English and French is required. Any knowledge of Swahili and/or Kirundi, while not expected, would be useful and would be a valuable skill.
• Ability to think in creative independent ways as well as to collaborate flexibly with a diverse group of stakeholders including teachers, families, staff from other programs at VHW, ex-pat consultants and, of course, students.
• Minimum of MA-level training in education, preferably with training in educational administration and international education.
• At least 10 years of experience teaching, preferably in a low-resource setting.
• At least five years administrative experience.
• Experience in designing and implementing continuing education and teaching training.
• Willingness to make at least a two-year commitment to living in rural Burundi.

Additional valuable qualities include:

• Experience of living and working in developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Interest in project-based, hands-on education and transforming a system based on rote learning to a more progressive system promoting problem solving and independent thinking.
• Ideally, available to relocate to Burundi prior to beginning of the academic/school year (July or August).

Compensation: Commensurate with experience and consistent with other international non-profit organizations. A benefit package, including housing and paid time off is also available.
How to Apply:
Applicants should submit a resume, a two-page cover letter and three references to jobs@villagehealthworks.org.
This position is currently contingent upon funding. Applications will be considered until the post is filled. Only selected applicants will be contacted for interviews. Those applicants will be informed whether or not their application will move forward after the interview. We will be unable to respond to candidates who are not chosen for interview.
VHW considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. VHW is an equal opportunity employer.

About the Organization

Village Health Works (VHW) is a 501(c)(3) non-governmental organization operating in Burundi, East Africa. Founded in 2006, VHW’s mission is to build a healthier and more just, peaceful and prosperous society by providing quality health care in a dignified environment while addressing the root causes and social determinants of diseases, neglect and violence. Accordingly, we have integrated in our health care
programs, education, agriculture, economic and community development.
With over 200 full time staff and over 200 part-time employees in Burundi, and a small staff in the US, VHW continues to grow and expand its infrastructure in Burundi, including the new construction of a 120 bed hospital, a teacher training program and a school (Pre-K to 12) that will implement an education model based on critical thinking.
For more information, please visit www.villagehealthworks.org.