Position: IB Middle Years Programme Coordinator

Location: American International School of Lusaka (AISL), ZAMBIA

Reports To: Secondary Principal

Position Overview

The American International School of Lusaka (AISL) is seeking a passionate and skilled educator to join team. The IB Middle Years Programme Coordinator is an integral member of the Secondary Leadership team who coordinates the development and implementation of the IB Middle Years Programme in the Secondary School. This position comes with a 40% to 60% teaching load, depending upon need and other responsibilities.

Qualifications / Attributes

• A minimum of four years of teaching within the IB Middle Years Programme.
• Previous experience in a leadership, Coordinator and/or instructional coaching position (preferred).
• Ability to provide informed instructional leadership - aware of current best practices in curriculum, pedagogy and assessment, particularly in the context of the Middle Years Programme.
•  Displays strong ATL skills; in particular, collaborates with others effectively, shows insight and empathy, demonstrates excellent listening and organisational skills.
•  Experience using technology applications that enhance communication, organizational operations, and school improvement efforts.

Salary and Benefits

AISL offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Safer Recruitment Practices

AISL prioritizes child protection and safeguarding. All staff members will undergo thorough criminal background checks, reference checks, and personal interviews to ensure a safe environment for all students.

About AISL

The American International School of Lusaka (AISL) is a co-educational independent day school established in 1986. Accredited by the Council of International Schools and the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges, AISL serves students from expatriate and Zambian families. As an IB World School, AISL offers the IB Primary Years Programme (Pre-School—Grade 5), the IB Middle Years Programme (Grades 6—10), and the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11 & 12), allowing students to earn IB certificates and a US accredited High School Diploma.

More Detailed Position Description: 

The MYP Coordinator will have the following responsibilities:

General

• serve as a member of the Secondary School Leadership Team 
• communicate with the International Baccalaureate organization to support IB programme implementation fidelity
• be able to recommend and implement rules, regulations and procedures that best meet the Middle Years programme philosophy of AISL 
• update documents, policies and handbooks pertaining to the MYP
• prepare for regular programme evaluation 
• create and review the school’s development plan 
• plan strategically with the educational leadership team using the development plan
• best utilize the financial, physical and human resources available to develop an academic program of excellence
• identify professional development needs and coordinate professional development activities that sustain the MYP in the school.  
• collaborate with the PYP and DP coordinators to align the three programmes
• plan for the personal project  
• Facilitate the Personal Project
• Ensure that the school is able to support students whose language of instruction is not their mother tongue
• Develop relationships with external partners/schools/coordinators to nurture  program development 
• Allocate meeting time for planning, timetabling or scheduling 
• Support community engagement throughout the program

Curricular and instructional leadership

• Communicate changes to curriculum and assessment, to subject teachers
• Assist teachers in developing unit plans and instructional practices that support the MYP
• Provide professional development for teachers including new hires to build capacity in the knowledge and understanding about the programme 
• Oversee curriculum review and facilitate curriculum development that supports the themes of internationalism, holistic awareness, communication, and cultural understanding. 
• Work with Learning Leaders to make sure subject groups meet the requirements of the MYP
• Provide support for interdisciplinary learning and teaching
• Monitor evidence of reflection in student work, process journals, portfolios and self-assessment documents
• Lead the school through the Standards and Practices and PDP as needed for self-evaluation

Additionally:

• Reflect upon and evaluate the programme at the end of each year, with input from students and teachers, and make improvements as warranted
• Maintain and organise files, supportive documentation and data 
• Continue to read and gain knowledge of subject guides and other IB literature
• Update the community in articles in the school newsletter about learning and teaching at AISL
• Update the MYP daily communication for faculty with reminders and information
• organise the selection of and voting for an exemplary MYP student at the end of the year
• Provide orientation for new students in each grade each year
• Provide opportunities through presentations and workshops for parents to be informed about the MYP and IB in general, some examples are:
  • Introduction to the MYP
  • Assessment in the MYP
  • Approaches To Learning (ATL) in the MYP
  • Inquiry in the MYP
  • Personal Project