2022-01-01

Dean of Students (Female)- Baliga Cas Village – Hargeisa, Somaliland

Hargeisa, Somaliland
Posted on January 1, 2022

Barwaaqo University

Dean of Students (Female)- Baliga Cas Village – Hargeisa, Somaliland

Details at a Glance

TIME COMMITMENT: Full Time Schedule
JOB TYPE: Contract
START DATE: January 9, 2022
APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 2, 2022
EDUCATION: 4-Year Degree Required
PROFESSIONAL LEVEL: Professional

Barwaaqo University

Founded in 2009, the Abaarso Network enables transformative change in Somaliland, East Africa, through educating and empowering the human capital needed to achieve ethical and effective development. The Network includes three world-class educational institutions that provide high-potential students with critical access, support, and leadership development: Abaarso School of Science and Technology, Barwaaqo University, and Kaabe Schools.

Barwaaqo University, founded in 2017, is located in Baliga Cas village outside the capital city. The mission of Barwaaqo is to empower Somalilanders/Somali women to become professionals who drive development throughout their community.

The Dean of Students is responsible for the dorms and the students living in the dorms. She manages conflict, illness and injury and is the first point of contact for students in all matters outside of academics. She works and liaises closely with the Director of Missions and Students Services, the Director of Operations, the interns, the Behaviour Management Committee and the Guidance Centre.

Job purpose

The safety and wellbeing of the students is the Dean of Students primary concern and responsibility. She is responsible for student attendance and communication with parents and families on the whereabouts and wellbeing of students. She is responsible for the health of the students and works closely with the Director of Operations to improve student food and infrastructure.

She is expected to provide cultural and religious knowledge in support of both students and the administration , especially when issues arise amongst the student body.

As faculty at Barwaaqo University, the Dean of Students supports the academic, social-emotional and character development of the young women who attend our school, empowering them to become resourceful, independent and problem-solving professionals and leaders.

Job Specific Expectations

Initial response to health and safety emergencies in the dorm and during sports and afternoon activities.
Proactive monitoring of wellbeing and escalates issues as needed.
Manage the physical conditions of the dorms, including reporting maintenance needs to the Operations Team.
Intervene in roommate or student situations that have become problematic or inappropriate, holding students accountable for their actions.
Provide cultural and religious knowledge and expertise for faculty.
Manage student attendance.
Provide written communication as needed to ensure good communications between the administration, student leaders and the student body.
Propose and implement student policies that ensure the health and welfare of the students and the safe and effective operations of student programs, including the oversight of student housekeeping and sanitation efforts.
Work with the administration to look for ongoing ways to celebrate and affirm the work of student leaders and individual students so as to promote both student learning and a healthy student culture in the dorms.
Assist with Student Orientation planning and programming.
Assist with the design and implementation of various training efforts: first aid, safety drills, leadership skills, etc.
Work with the Director of Missions and Student Services to be in touch with parents and family.
Work with the cooks and Director of Operations to continually improve student food and infrastructure.
Be involved in behaviour management and guidance services for the students.
Be the first point of contact for students with any sort of issue.
Provide support for students in the dorms.
Heads a relion committee of students.
Leads cultural and religious events, courses, classes, outreach and culture.
Teaches up to 9 hours of courses, especially Arabic, Islamic Studies and/or Somali History and Culture.
Works as a translator between staff, students and faculty.

Academic Education

Teach approximately 16-18 hours each week on dates determined by the master schedule. (A stipend role will result in reduced teaching hours). The Dean of Students will teach approximately 6-9 hours each week on dates determined by the master schedule.

Manage a group of approximately 20-25 students. Build professional relationships with students in the classroom and understand who they are as people.
Create a safe, nurturing environment for students with clear expectations for student work and behavior.
Create individual, structured lesson plans, building on existing plans from a curricula library hosted by the school where possible and necessary; align all course content with the curriculum pathways shared by the Director of Academics.
Keep comprehensive and clear records of lessons, including notes of what activities worked well and those that didn’t for future course teachers.
Plan and use a variety of activities and learning methods to differentiate for and engage students; use student-centered, interactive lessons.
Create materials and assessments for the classroom and/or draw from the bank of materials
within the google drive database.
Assign daily homework to students unless otherwise agreed with supervisor and provide feedback using grades, written notes, and rubrics. Teachers should expect to spend 6-10 hours a week grading and providing feedback.
Record grades into the online student database during regular intervals as determined by the Director of Academics.
Record daily attendance of students in class using the online academic database.
Write written reflections on student performance, the course design and content, and teaching methodology suggestions for their groups of students.
Be available for students to seek extra help or enrichment through weekly office hours.
Review background subject knowledge if needed before each lesson.
Seek advice and help from supervisors as needed to make sure course content is appropriate for student literacy levels, culture, and religion. Vet all videos and lesson materials before use in the classroom.

Peer Support and Duty to the Community

Assist with the planning and execution of enrichment activities/events, based on committee membership.
Participate in all regular or special events (Group meetings, Exam supervision, Socials, Project Days, Alumni Day, Graduation, Programs for special visitors, etc.).
Share duties or chores as required by the University President, such as weekly sanitation.
Assist with monitoring student behavior and sanitation as needed, providing support to student leaders; report major problems to the Director of Student Services.

Professional Development

Continually develop as a professional using the resources, workshops, and suggestions given by the administration.
Attend all required meetings for announcements and professional development workshops.
Attend regular weekly check-ins with your supervisor. .
Attend meetings on time, taking notes, with a professional attitude and open mind. Be a role model for students and other faculty.
Show respect and understanding for Somali culture and Islam at all times.

The successful candidate will

Be educated to bachelor degree level.
Be experienced in Somaliland, Somalia, E. Africa, or a similar operating environment.
Have an understanding of East Africa context, particularly education sector and fragile settings.
Be results-oriented, entrepreneurial; takes initiative and is undeterred by ambiguous situations
Have first aid experience and training.
Have experience in managing teams well and providing coaching and mentoring as needed.
Be fluently spoken and written Somali

If you are an exceptional candidate who would like to make an impact, we will welcome your application.

Closing Date: Monday 2 January 2022 (applications will be reviewed ongoing).

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