About the Role

Vision and Strategic Direction:

Develop inquiring, reflective and caring learners who, through the rigour of the IB programmes, have the knowledge, skills and character to take action and create a better, more peaceful world

Model and encourage a culture of kindness in support of the GEMS/GWA core values and uphold the mission and ethos of the Academy as a non-selective, international and academically successful school through the lens of the International Baccalaureate Organisation

Work collaboratively with the Local Advisory Board, the Senior Leadership Team and staff to develop an ambitious vision for GWA which builds on the School's many strengths and positions the School as a leader in the rapidly changing world of international education

Translate this vision into a clear, measurable strategy, inspiring and empowering all parts of the GWA community in its delivery

Ensure GWA is well-positioned to seize opportunities and respond to challenges presented by changes in the external context, locally within Dubai, regionally and globally

Job Purpose:

With the CEO / Principal and the Senior Leadership Team, the post-holder will (i) share responsibility for all the policies, decision-making processes and strategic planning involved in the management of the Academy; (ii) realise the ethos of an IB learning organisation with high expectations of students and staff, and a positive approach to internationalism, entrepreneurialism and innovation; (iii) lead the development of the Academy as a learning, researching and self-evaluating organisation (iv) lead by example, setting the highest professional standards and maintaining a visible presence around the Academy.

The post-holder will deputise for the Principal in their absence, and support the CEO / Principal and Principals in their workload, when tasks are delegated or shared.

The focus of this post is to lead on all aspects of academic operations and to have responsibility for the strategic overview of assessment, recording, reporting, attendance and cover as well as the Academy's data tracking and intervention

Core Responsibilities

Staff Development

• To be willing to be a "mentor" to all faculty as well as encouraging their professional growth and career advancement
  
• To serve as the 'learning leader' for the entire division and contribute actively to the Professional Learning Community (PLC)
  
• To demonstrate personal commitment to seek constant professional learning and professional growth in order to contribute to the vision and mission of the school and create robust strategic planning targets
  
• To develop the leadership capabilities of teachers so that instructional leadership becomes a shared responsibility
  
• To facilitate collaborative learning opportunities across the school to connect teams and departments together in setting and reviewing team goals
  
• To ensure all teachers and support staff have a clear understanding of their performance expectations (i.e. job descriptions and faculty handbook) and to assist faculty towards becoming master teachers
  

Quality Assurance

• To assess and review data to ensure that all students are able to appropriately access the curriculum and are placed in the correct programmes of study
  
• To analyse external benchmark data (including MAP, CAT4, ALIS, IBO Examination, PISA, TIMSS, PERLS, ePERLS) to ensure that learning outcomes are being met through the internal learning programme
  
• To lead and supervise a review cycle in the division, in conjunction with the Assistant Principal Teaching and Learning, to maintain a high quality of teaching and learning, including, but not limited to:
  

• Collaborate with the Principal to schedule semester based announced lesson observation
  
• Collaborate with the Principal to attend quarterly learning walks
  
• Collaborate with the Principal professional growth coaching and mentoring for underperforming teachers
  
• Undertaking a regular (minimum per quarter) review of learning data to ensure that students are accessing outcomes of attainment and progress that match their abilities
  

Strategic Planning,

Leadership and Accreditation

• To collaborate with the Principal to the successful implementation of the School Development Plan and take responsibility for all divisional centred targets
  
• To regularly review divisional strategic goals to ensure transparent, consistent and timely processes and resources are in place to meet the needs of the target focus
  
• To provide strategic leadership, line management and support to the appropriate teams within the Academy structure
  
• To take a lead role on all accreditation and evaluation visits, including IBO (PYP, MYP, DP, CP), NEASC and CIS, to ensure effective communication with the accreditation bodies, clear portal management and documentation uploads
  
• To collaborate with the Principal on the annual DSIB inspections, significantly contributing to the self-evaluation process and ensuring all divisional data is accurately translated into the planning documentation
  
• To seek to develop expertise within supplementary accreditation organisations, including the GEMS Review Programme
  
• To establish a culture that promotes excellence, equality and high expectations for all students
  
• To collaborate with others to raise educational standards across the Academy
  
• To motivate and work with others to create a shared culture and positive climate
  
• To collaborate with the Principal to oversee statutory obligations, and ensure they are being met for students with special educational needs, ensuring that financial and supporting agency services are adequate for their diverse needs
  
• To use data analysis, evaluation and reporting systems to maximum effect by ensuring systems are streamlined to maximise efficiency and avoid duplication
  
• To attend and represent the Academy at specific events maintaining sector knowledge and professional awareness of developments surrounding all areas of support within the Academy
  

GWA Community

• To seek the involvement of faculty and parents in a wide variety of School activities
  
• To accept the importance and necessity to support the after-school student activity programs and parent events
  
• To attend, participate, or direct all division level events (or appoint an appropriate delegate on his/her behalf)
  

Academic Operations

• To oversee the School's external and internal examinations process
  
• To oversee and coordinate the School Timetable
  
• To oversee and coordinate cover
  
• To oversee and coordinate duties and the supervision of students in before and after school sessions as well as during the Academy day
  
• To update Phoenix Classroom and provide information as necessary
  
• To oversee data management systems that track, monitor and support individual students; providing timely data and data analysis to Directors of Learning /Subject Leaders, Year Leaders, Secondary Senior Leadership Team, Senior Leadership Team and Executive Leadership Team
  

Data, Assessment and Reporting

• To ensure, in collaboration with AP Teaching and Learning and the DoLs, consistency of instruction, horizontally and vertically, using data to ensure that curriculum adaptation is in place and robust assessment for learning and effective feedback is consistently applied
  
• To have strategic oversight of programmes of intervention delivered by staff and rigorous analysis of interventions
  
• To provide Quality Assurance on the impact of tracking on planning and on intervention, assessment and reporting processes
  
• To analyse all internal and external assessments and progress data
  
• To deploy effective and efficient systems for analysing and sharing all data
  
• To analyse summative data, identifying trends in student performance to inform strategic planning and reporting to a variety of stakeholders
  
• To oversee the production, collation and distribution of school reports in Grades 6-12
  

Communication

• To communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff, parents, colleagues and the community (i.e. verbal, nonverbal and written communication)
  
• To perform those activities as will be required for the general welfare of the School and/or as requested by the Head of School, US/IB Cluster Lead and School Support Centre
  
• To support, encourage, and serve as a "critical friend" to the Principal in all school related issues and concerns
  

Recruitment and Staffing

• To assist in the screening, interviewing, and hiring process of personnel as requested
  
• To collaborate with the Principal to ensure strategic staff allocations are being considered in direct relation to timetable adaptations
  
• To oversee a programme of development and training for all staff which includes succession planning
  

Health and Safety

• To ensure a safe environment for the stakeholders of the Academy
  
• To provide a secure environment in which learning processes can be provided
  
• To ensure the continuing availability of utilities, site services and equipment
  
• To collaborate with the Principal to ensure the Academy's Health and Safety Policy statement is clearly communicated and available to all staff and support middle managers to manage and maintain the policy
  
• To oversee the implementation of the Health and Safety Policy at all times, and that it is subject to review and assessment at regular intervals or as situations change
  
• To collaborate with the Principal to systems are in place for effective monitoring, measuring and reporting of health and safety issues to the Governors and where appropriate the Health and Safety Committee.
  

Safeguarding

• To collaborate with the Principal to ensure that the policies and procedures relating to safeguarding and safer recruitment are fully implemented and followed by all staff
  
• To ensure that all staff and volunteers feel able to raise concerns about poor or unsafe practice in regard to children, and such concerns are addressed sensitively and effectively in a timely manner in accordance with agreed whistleblowing practices
  

Other Duties

• To initiate, lead by example and actively promote the Academy's vision and values, including the development of a strong learning community whose members show high respect for others, for the diversity of the community and for the environment
  
• To undertake personal development through training and other learning activities including performance management as required
  
• To recognise own strengths and areas of expertise and use these to advise and support others
  
• To be a positive role model for students in dress and conduct within the Academy
  

Evaluation:

Written annual job performance is evaluated and provided in accordance with school policy timelines established by the CEO/Principal

About Your Benefits

Benefits:

Competitive remuneration package depending on experience and qualifications, relocation allowance, housing, 40 working days annual leave, tuition fee at a GEMS premium plus school for 2 children and other concessions, travel and professional development allowance, visa, medical, end of service and other benefits in line with the UAE Labour Law.

About GEMS

Trusted for over 55 years and now a third generation education family, GEMS Education began in a single school room in Dubai. Today, we have the privilege of educating over 190,000 students from over 176 countries through GEMS owned and managed schools globally; over 270,000 students access resources through our services division; and we will impact 20 million by 2020 students through the initiatives of our Charity partner Varkey Foundation.

About the School

GEMS World Academy-Dubai (GWA) is a private, co-educational IB World school for PreK to Grade 12 students. Established in 2008 as a member of GEMS Education, the school is authorized to deliver the PYP, MYP, DP and CP programmes and is also accredited by the Council of International Schools and is being accredited by NEASC. The total student enrolment is 1600 students with faculty strength of 170 teachers, 82 teaching assistants and 40 administration and support staff.

• The internationally recognized gold standard of pre-university education is the DNA of GWA.
• GWA has the continuum of all four IB programmes. IB is considered the best performing curriculum as per PISA & TIMSS benchmarking. The IB Learner profile prepares students for a more effective transition into world-class universities.
• Strong IB World averages (and continually improving) providing access to the world's best universities.
• A school that is recognized by KHDA (Very Good) as an environment where innovation and improvement are fostered.
• With over 92 nationalities and part of the global World Academy network with Schools in Chicago, Switzerland, and Singapore, GEMS World Academy - Dubai is geared towards developing global citizens.
• Our students have the opportunity to move from the macro environment of space to the microscopic environment of cells and atoms in our Digital Planetarium and the ability to create audio and video content in the purpose-built recording studios and green-screen room.
• With over 150 After School Activities, over 45 Week Without Walls options around the world, sports opportunities for all, student leadership, individualised learning (RTI) GWA provides a truly holistic education.
• A strong 10 year legacy of a warm caring community.

For an insight into GWA Dubai please see this video It Feels Like Home - That's The Difference

About Application Process

If you meet the criteria and you are enthusiastic about the role, we would welcome your application. To complete the application you would need the following document(s):
1. Resume/CV
2. Passport-size photograph
3. CV

Important Note : GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students. Applicants will be required to submit a current police criminal clearance check or equivalent from their home country or current country of residence prior to appointment.