School Director

Job Overview: The KISC director will provide overall leadership to KISC; Primary, Secondary, and EQUIP. They will uphold, share, and build commitment to the Mission, Vision, and Values of KISC. They will be responsible for ensuring academic excellence and upholding the culture and ethos of the school. The director will be responsible for maintaining KISC’s required accreditations, its excellent reputation, and for following all KISC policies. They will also be responsible for working within Nepali law and following our MoU with the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology. They will serve as an empowering visionary who supports the leadership team and works collaboratively with all KISC branches.

The KISC Director will lead in these areas:

General Leadership

• Provides overall leadership to all staff
• Line managing the Leadership Team
• Brings matters to the Leadership Team for consultation and informed decision making
• Ensures leadership has a process for the well-being of students and staff
• Ensures safeguarding for students and staff by involving appropriate safeguarding leads and LT members
• Ensures KISC policies are complied with, reviewed in a timely manner, and formulated as needed in consultation with the leadership team and SMC

Education

• Being ultimately responsible for the quality of teaching and learning across KISC through the empowering and equipping the Heads of Primary & Secondary
• Work with the Head of Equip to develop its strategy and overall effectiveness
• Empowers and supports the Heads of Primary and Secondary to shape pedagogy, curriculum, and assessment development, in line with a biblical worldview based on research and best practice in teaching, learning, and assessment
• Facilitates the Leadership Team in promoting student achievement and character development, monitoring progress, and ensuring continuous improvement

Strategy

• Guides the strategy of KISC in the light of changing circumstances (together with the SMC)
• Ensures that KISC has adequate financial, physical, and human resources, and that we use them efficiently in alignment with our improvement plans
• Work with the Head of Operations on financial planning and discussing those plans with the SMC
• Formulates fundraising strategies for the financial needs of KISC in consultation with the Head of Operations and appropriate members of LT and SMC
• Casts vision , so that all stakeholders – staff, students, parents - can visualise the impact KISC could have, both individually and collectively, in shaping and transforming society
• Demonstrates strategic and systematic thinking, as well as strong planning capabilities
• Implements change effectively and collaboratively

Relationships

• Communicates with clarity, kindness, and respect to staff, students, parents, and other stakeholders, as well as being a good listener
• Leads and empowers the LT and developing their capacity through professional learning and appraisal
• Delegates decision making responsibilities for staff to the Leadership Team, and empowers them to own and resolve any issues and concerns
• Promotes KISC as an integral part of HDCS’s work in Nepal (our governing NGO)
• Develops and maintains good public relationships inside and outside the KISC community (mission agencies, embassies etc.)
• Transparent decision making

Cultural

•  Demonstrates cross-cultural and contextual sensitivity in decision making and communication
• Models KISC values to the KISC community and others and striving to grow in them
• Is visible and accessible to staff, students, parents and other stakeholders
• Intentionally seeks to support and value the international nature of KISC

Job Structure

The KISC Director will be accountable to, and supported by, the SMC. They will be responsible for line managing and empowering the LT - Heads of Primary, Secondary, Operations, and EQUIP - and holding it to account for the school’s educational standards and operational performance.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills

Essential

• Professional experience in education - including leadership and management experience
• Master’s Degree or equivalent (education specific)
• Excellent leadership skills
• Able to motivate people around a shared vision
• Outstanding English oral and written communication skills
• Cross-cultural work experience
• Godly wisdom
• Flexible, adaptable, humble, patient, persistent, and willing to learn
• Skilled team-worker and collaborative colleague

Desirable

• Good understanding of international education
• Experience as a school Head / Director / Principal
• Experience and knowledge of the British education system is very advantageous, as KISC uses the International Cambridge curriculum at secondary level

General Competencies

• Analysis and Problem Solving: Breaks down and analyses information effectively. Identifies the causes of problems and proposes realistic and practical solutions to address them
• Cross-Cultural Awareness: Understands and appreciates issues from the perspective of other cultures and countries
• Strategic Thinking: Formulates strategies and approaches to clarify and achieve the vision and objectives of KISC
• Creativity and Innovation: Seeks new approaches to traditional problems and solutions and takes calculated risks
• Teamwork: Takes a co-operative approach within the team, sharing knowledge and information. Seeks to promote harmony within the team. Communicates diplomatically and sensitively. Delegates as much as is appropriate and desires to have a truly empowered leadership team.
• Communicating a Vision: Promotes KISC’s vision to others in a positive and enthusiastic way
• Drive and Persistence: Demonstrates resilience when faced with setbacks. Shows tenacity and continues to strive to reach goals despite obstacles. Realises when things may not be working and seeks counsel when required.
• Servant Leadership:  Demonstrating servant leadership to the LT, all staff, students, parents, and other stakeholders. Living out Christlike servanthood by prioritising serving others, empowering people and fostering their growth, emphasising empathy, collaboration, and ethical decision-making