Head of Education – Kigali, – Rwanda

Organisation Overview

The Pharo Foundation (the ‘’Foundation”) is a privately funded entrepreneurial organization that runs philanthropic programs 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 programs 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. 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 main objective of the education program is to increase access to high-quality education in our program 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 Rwanda. The Foundation aims to provide the highest quality education to the children and young adults of Rwanda and is now actively looking for a driven and passionate individual who wants to make real change for the future of Rwanda.

The position is based in Kigali and will report to the Director of Education, East Africa, based in Nairobi, and the Country Representative based in Kigali. This high-level, well-remunerated role 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 curriculums, 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.

Job Title: Head of Education

Reports to: Director of Education (East Africa) and Country Representative (Rwanda)

Job Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Functional Relationships:  Heads of Education (Somaliland and Ethiopia), and Program Managers

Direct Reports: Principals/Heads of Pharo Schools in Rwanda, Head of Vocational Training (Ethiopia), and Coordinators in Education (Ethiopia programs areas)

Key Duties and Responsibilities

   Strategy

• Work with the Director of Education, East Africa to develop a comprehensive multi-year, multi-school education and expansion strategy for the Foundation in Rwanda.
• Implement the education strategy of the Foundation in Rwanda, as agreed with the Director of Education East Africa, the CEO, and the Board of Trustees.

   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 Centers of Excellence in education in Rwanda.
• Create and monitor processes for student safeguarding.
• 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 staffs are informed of and internalize 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 statements and budgets.
• Prepare and submit monthly management accounts.
• Coordinate financial auditing and the production of annual audited accounts.
• 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.

   Policy Development

• Prepare and implement appropriate and robust policies, ensuring that they are revised and updated regularly.
• Create safeguarding policies and ensure that they are reviewed regularly, and all staff and students are aware of these policies and follow guidelines.
• Enforce other relevant policies and procedures as they are developed.

   Compliance, Audit and Risk

• Ensure that all Pharo Schools in Rwanda comply with all local and national requirements and policies.
• 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 Programs in Rwanda.

1. 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 Rwanda.
• Represent Pharo Schools in the media and public engagements in Rwanda.

 Operations Management

• Supervise the management of all schools’ facilities, and their on-going care and maintenance.
• Ensure proper maintenance and care of all movable assets.
• Maintain the asset register.

1. Reporting

• Ensure open and continuous communication with the Director of Education East Africa and all key stakeholders.
• Provide regular reports on all aspects of the schools’ business and operations.
• Inform the Director of Education, East Africa and the Country Representative, Rwanda of any issues or concerns that might jeopardize Pharo Schools or the Foundation with respect to non-compliance, reputational risk, or safeguarding.

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Education.  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 schools or as a School Head/Principal.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully recruiting, retaining and developing educators, staff and administrators.
• 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.
• 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.