About the organization

The Abaarso Network includes three school systems in Somaliland (Somalia): a residential high school known as Abaarso School; Barwaaqo Women’s University, offering a four-year degree in education; and Kaabe Montessori primary schools.

Somaliland has been peaceful since it declared independence from Somalia in 1999. Crime is low. However, development and education have lagged. The Abaarso Network educates the next generation of Somali leaders, who will help develop their country after the devastating civil war. Since opening in 2009, Abaarso has sent nearly 200 students on scholarship to top colleges and secondary schools throughout the world, including Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Brown, MIT, Amherst, Swarthmore, and many more. The Abaarso School has been featured on 60 Minutes and in The New York Times, BBC World, and CNN Money, among many others.

For more information please visit: http://www.abaarsoschool.org/

Duties

The Director of Student Life is responsible for building a community of healthy student leaders and learners through boarding school programming. The Director leads a team of dorm parents, house heads, and student leaders to build effective systems in the dining hall, dormitory, extracurriculars, and advising to promote student health and well-being, leadership, community building, teamwork, and personal responsibility. The Director creates channels for students to express their voice and take ownership of different aspects of student life under the guidance and watchful eye of trained adults. The Director uses student life programs to build a culture of peer learning, leadership, and caring where students learn leadership experientially by taking care of school facilities, managing school programs, and building relationships with communities outside of the school walls.

Qualifications

Education:
– University undergraduate degree
– Post-grad degree (preferred)

Experience:
– 2 years of teaching experience in middle/ high school
– Experience in Somaliland, E. Africa, or a similar operating environment.
– Experience living and teaching in a boarding school environment (preferred)
– Experience leading youth camps or afterschool programs (preferred)

Knowledge and Skills:
– Understanding of East Africa context, particularly education sector and fragile settings (preferred)
– Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
– Able to manage conflicts with an understanding of student background and culture
– First Aid (preferred)
– Be able to diagnose problems quickly and have foresight into potential issues
– Manages teams well and provides coaching and mentoring as needed
– Design training and workshops for teenagers

Languages:
– Fluently spoken and written English
– Good command of Somali (preferred)

Application instructions

Contact email: info@abaarsoschool.org

To apply please email your resume/ cv and cover letter to info@abaarsoschool.org with “Director of Student Life” in the subject line before July 16, 2021.