Primary Years Programme (PYP) Coordinator Full-Time

Purpose:

The Primary Years Programme Coordinator will work with the Junior School Principal to provide pedagogical and administrative leadership of the IB Primary Years Programme based on the beliefs and values of the IB PYP within the context of the mission and ethos of the Aga Khan Academy Maputo.

Main responsibilities:

Pedagogical Leadership of the IB Primary Years Programme

• Facilitate and support the planning and implementation of an inquiry based, transdisciplinary curriculum in the PYP;
• Ensure the development of a strong bilingual programme in English and Portuguese;
• Archive and document all relevant curriculum documents, including the PYP exhibition;
• Disseminate relevant IB PYP communications and updates to teachers;
• Leading and assisting staff in all matters pertaining to effective classroom teaching of the IB PYP;
• Supporting teachers in the development of excellent pedagogical practice through ongoing classroom observations and other forms of Professional Development;
• Collaborative planning with PYP grade level teams and -subject specialist teachers to ensure
  the development of teaching and learning in line with the PYP and the mission and vision of the Academies;
• Providing continuing Professional Development for all teachers that ensures a deep understanding of the philosophy and practices of the PYP and bilingual programme within the context of the Aga Khan Academies;
• Ensuring that the AKA Learner Profile attributes and the Aga Khan Strands are planned progressively and taught throughout the programme;
• Overseeing the implementation of the PYP Exhibition in line with the mission and vision of the Aga Khan Academies;
• The induction of teachers new to the Primary Years Programme;
• Planning and leading any meetings or portions of meetings relating to the IB PYP;
• Developing, editing, and disseminating an IB PYP Strategic Plan, which is aligned with other school priorities, for the approval of the Head of Academy;
• Working with the school administration to ensure that the IB PYP is resourced appropriately;
• Assisting in the recruitment of IB PYP faculty and staff;  Take a leading role in the Academies-wide ‘Appraisal for Growth’ process and as a member of the Academy’s professional learning community;
• Teaching classes in line with the contact load for IB Coordinators at the AKA Maputo;
• Facilitate the PYP evaluation process and self-study
• Liaison with the IB, including leading processes for the authorisation and evaluation of the programme
• Ensuring student success within and beyond the PYP;
• Building a coherent IB continuum within and across the Academies in line with the Academies’ mission and vision:

The requirements

Required Attributes:

• Display and model professionalism;
• A commitment to the IB Primary Years Programme;
• Knowledge and understanding of primary education and understanding;
• Knowledge of authorisation and evaluation frameworks, including the IB Standards and Practices;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the capacity to interact well and communicate effectively with students,
  parents and colleagues within a diverse and pluralistic society;
• Strong demonstration of a team player with the ability and willingness to develop capacity amongst the team of
  local staff;
• Commitment to championing and leading innovative transformational change regarding approaches to teaching and learning;
• Self-starter, able to initiate ideas and act proactively.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree; Professional Teaching Qualification.

Valued additional assets:

• Master’s degree in Education;
• Work within the IB Educator Network as a Workshop Leader, Visiting Team Member or Consultant;
• Fluency in Portuguese; Understanding and experience of international education and educational standards beyond Mozambique; Intercultural appreciation and sensitivity. Able to appreciate diverse cultural contexts and perspectives and use them to enrich the educational experiences of the students;
• Experience of bilingual programmes;
• Experience in K-12 schools, and an understanding of the IB continuum; Knowledge and understanding of the
  IBDP and IBMYP.

Skills:

Experience and Technical Skills

• Minimum of 5 years’ PYP teaching experience;
• Fluent spoken and written English; Experience with programme planning, authentic assessment and curriculum development and leading teams;
• Proven ICT skills

Other Skills and personal traits

• Knowledge and understanding of the local culture; Attention to detail, discretion and a high level of integrity are imperative.

Sector

Social Development

About the Agency

The Aga Khan Academies are an integrated network of residential schools dedicated to expanding access to education of an international standard of excellence to exceptional young men and women regardless of their ability to pay. The Aga Khan Academies foundational values include pluralism, meritocracy and civil society. Housed in spacious and attractive campuses with outstanding facilities, the Academies offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Curriculum from Primary Years to the Diploma and provide a rich opportunity for both teachers and students alike to grow both professionally and personally. The first Aga Khan Academy opened in Mombasa, Kenya in 2003, the second in Hyderabad, India, in 2011, and the third in Maputo, in 2013. Others are to be built in Africa, South and Central Asia and the Middle East.