Academic Advisor

Steven Tito Academy (STA) is a small, charity-funded, English-medium primary school that serves a very special population of students in Bagamoyo—those who have displayed a high aptitude for learning but who cannot afford tuition.

In secondary school in Tanzania, students are required to learn all subjects using the English language. Students at STA are taught in English from the very first day of school to help prepare them for success in secondary school. Students start at STA when they are 5 or 6 years old. They start in Prep (Kindergarten), a year designed to prepare students with the English language skills they need to commence Standard (Grade) 1. Most of our students start their Prep year with little to no English language skills. STA currently has six classes: Prep, Standard 1, Standard 2, Standard 3, Standard 4/5 and Standard 7.

Academic Advisor

The Academic Advisor is an integral part of our school and will have the opportunity to help shape our program for years to come. It is an opportunity to effect real change in children’s lives as well as gain valuable experience in childhood education. The Academic Advisor ensures that each student feels safe at school and receives a high quality education. The main role of the Academic Advisor is to train teachers and manage student behaviour. The successful applicant needs to have initiative, be flexible and be able to adapt to change and last-minute setbacks and frustrations. You will need to be hard-working and passionate about improving as an educator and helping others to improve.

Key Objectives

  • Create a safe learning environment for all students
  • Train teachers to provide a quality education to all students

Responsibilities

  • Provide one-on-one academic advising to each member of the teaching staff
  • Assist with recruitment and retention of teaching staff
  • Complete formal classroom observations in each classroom at least once per month
  • Manage the after-school English lessons for local students and children
  • Model lessons in all areas of the curriculum for all classes (Prep-Standard 7)
  • Create monthly and year-end reports about student learning (Teaching and Learning Implementation Plan)
  • Regular communication with the advisory committee
  • Manage student behaviour and behaviour management training for teachers
  • Conduct weekly professional development sessions attended by all teaching staff, using the STA Teacher’s Principles
  • Assist teaching staff to assess and monitor student progress
  • Research teaching methods, programs and assessments (especially in English and Mathematics) to strengthen teaching and learning
  • Gather, prepare and purchase resources and materials as needed
  • Assist with fundraising and donor relations
  • Know and abide by the school values

Qualifications

  • University qualification in Education
  • Experience training early childhood or primary school teachers preferred
  • Early childhood or primary level teaching experience
  • Experience with primary school assessments in English and Mathematics (for example, Running Records, Dolch Word Tests)
  • Must be willing to commit to a minimum of 1 school term (3 months), but preferably 1 year
  • Strong administrative and management skills
  • Evaluation and reporting skills
  • Swahili language skills preferred
  • A desire to use your experience and skills to empower our teachers and enrich the learning experience of our students

Renumeration

Please note that this is a Tanzania-based position, and a stipend commensurate with Tanzanian wages will be offered. Basic accommodation and some meals are provided. The successful applicant must provide their own travel expenses, including entry visa fee and residence permit application fee. Health insurance will not be provided.

Duration

We require a commitment of at least 3 months (1 full school term) and you will be asked to work 5 days per week, 8 hours per day. A commitment of 1 year is preferable.

What we Offer

  • The chance to gain an insight into the running of a small, unique, international development charity
  • A gateway into another culture: through your work you will experience Tanzanian life and have the opportunity to build cross-cultural relationships
  • The opportunity to develop your management, teaching and teacher training skills
  • A chance to truly help children and families living in poverty and affected by HIV/AIDS
  • References can be supplied upon successful completion of the contract
  • Great travel advice for exploring Tanzania and a very friendly team

Ready to Apply?

Send the following to [email protected]:

  • Resume/CV
  • Cover letter
  • Proposed dates of volunteering

We will only contact people who send us a resume/CV, cover letter and proposed dates of volunteering.

There will be many varied opportunities for dialogue, so candidates can learn about the school, the responsibilities of the position and the community it helps to support. We look forward to hearing from you!

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