Nordic School Director - Tanzania

Background Information 

Career Options Africa Group is a HR Consultancy firm specialized in Recruitment, HR outsourcing and Immigration support in Africa with offices in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, Nigeria, South Africa and South Sudan. 

Our client, a pre-school based in Dar Es Salaam for children from one year of age up to the last year before primary school, is actively seeking a Nordic School Director to join their team in Tanzania.  

THE JOB 

The Director will review and guide the school’s strategic direction in a changing environment, explore options for its future development, and lead the organizational processes that follow from this. At the same time, the Director will guide the school in regulatory compliance, finance and administration, while working with a Head of Education specialized in Nordic pedagogy on maintaining and further developing pedagogical excellence. The Director is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and sustainability of the school in accordance with its vision, mission, principles, and values as established in the constitution, pedagogical framework (curriculum), and decisions of the General Assembly and the Board. The Director has overall accountability for strategy, governance, finance, operations, compliance, and external relations towards the Board, Trustees and regulatory authorities. S/he delegates responsibilities to the Head of Education (HoE) and school’s administrative officer, through their respective terms of reference as well as other means, but retains overall accountability. The Director oversees and  works in close partnership with the Head of Education (HoE), who has delegated responsibility for pedagogical leadership, curriculum, teaching, learning, and child development, while maintaining alignment with the Nordic educational values. S/he oversees and works in close collaboration with the school’s administrative officer, to build and improve structures related to administration, financial management, and compliance.

1. Strategic Leadership & Vision 

• Lead the development and implementation of the School’s strategic plan in alignment with the School’s mission, values, and long-term goals 
• Ensure alignment between educational goals, strategic orientation and operational capacity 
• Translate strategy into clear operational priorities and measurable outcomes 
• Ensure the school is well-positioned for growth, reputation, and sustainability 
• Provide leadership during change, expansion, or restructuring as required 

2. Governance & Compliance 

• Act as the primary liaison between the Board and the Trustees 
• Ensure compliance with all applicable legal, regulatory, legal, safeguarding, and reporting requirements including tax status and registration  
• Develop and maintain internal policies, procedures, guidelines and systems as approved by the Board and ensure compliance throughout the organization. This includes, but is not limited to HR, procurement, safeguarding, etc. 
• Ensure that audit recommendations and other compliance findings are addressed systematically, with appropriate escalation and reporting to the Board and Trustees 
• Maintain an issues tracker for audit management letters and other governance findings, define corrective actions, assign responsibilities, and report progress to the Board and Trustees until closure 

3. Finance 

1. Running Operations 

• Hold overall accountability for income and expenditure in accordance with the budget approved by the General Assembly 
• Ensure effective financial controls and reporting; establish and maintain a request-to-pay process with clear segregation of duties between requesters (e.g., Kitchen or Education), the administration officer, and the Director (documentation checks, approvals, and payment release) 
• Ensure that all procurement requests are documented (purchase request, quotations/justification as applicable) and reviewed by the administration officer prior to Director approval 
• Approve commitments and verify that supporting documentation is complete before authorising purchases, contracts, and supplier payments 
• Release payments (bank transfer and petty cash) only against approved documentation and confirmed receipt/acceptance of goods and services 
• Ensure that the requester and the administration officer confirm the quality and completeness of delivered goods/services; sign off that this confirmation has been reviewed 
• Conduct a monthly sample-based review of expenditure items and supporting documentation, record findings, and ensure timely corrective action 

b. Other Financial Duties 

• Ensure the timely and complete preparation the annual financial and operational report for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) 
• Ensure that the school’s annual budget is prepared, monitored, and updated on a regular basis  
• Ensure that an annual audit is conducted and completed within three months of the end of the fiscal year. Lead the internal preparations and proactively engage with auditors. Ensure the management letter is reviewed with the Board, and take accountability for implementing and tracking audit recommendations to closure (involving the Board and Trustees as needed) 

4. Human Resources (HR) 

• Developing and overseeing staffing strategy and organisational structure 
• Ensuring effective appraisal and performance management frameworks are in place  
• Ensure a structured professional development process is in place for all employees of the school 
• Ensuring compliance with labour law, safeguarding, and regulatory requirements. 
• Organize a process of regular exchange between management and staff 
• Recruiting, appointing, and terminating staff in consultation with at least one Board member and, in the case of teaching staff, the Head of Education, and in accordance with applicable law and internal procedures 
• Ensure that appointment processes of expatriate teachers is compliant with Tanzanian laws and regulations and that the school obtains work permits for expat teachers 
• Overseeing disciplinary and grievance processes to ensure fairness, due process, and legal compliance 
• Manage the Head of Education, the administrative and support staff, including managing work and rest schedules, assessing performance and supporting professional development. Teaching staff is managed by the Head of Education 

1. Administration 

• Participate in Board meetings and report to the Board about the activities and management of the School 
• Make sure that decisions taken by the Board are implemented 
• Ensure that the school’s administrative systems function efficiently and professionally 
• Be the School’s “face outward” and reply to correspondence directed to the school in any other matter that is not a responsibility of the HoE 
• Prepare the yearly school calendar, together with the HoE, and present it to the Board 
• Oversee admissions processes in accordance with Board-approved guidelines 
• Ensure student registers and enrolment lists are kept updated for invoicing and reporting purposes 
• Apply for state grants from the Swedish National Agency for Education for supplementary Swedish classes, if applicable 
• Ensure the functioning of the Nordic School sports club, the Nordic House and other activities under the School 
• Oversee the planning and organisation of school-wide events in cooperation with the HoE and staff 
• Ensure that the School’s information technology systems, data management, and digital infrastructure are appropriate, secure, and maintained, either internally or through external providers, in accordance with applicable data protection and cybersecurity requirements 

6. Security, Safety, and Working Environment 

• Ensure that the school is a safe and secure environment for children and staff 
• Ensure that safety routines are established, documented, and implemented 
• Ensure staff are trained in relevant safety procedures, including fire safety, first aid, and emergency protocols 
• Organise first aid and fire safety training once per school year for all staff members 
• Ensure hygiene and infection control routines are in place and that all staff, children, parents and members of the Sports Club are aware of the routines 
• When required, prepare guidelines and protocols for infection control and present them to the Board 

7. Maintenance & Facilities 

• Ensure that maintenance of school buildings and pedagogical inventory is assessed, planned, and carried out as agreed with the Board 
• Lead the planning and following up on larger maintenance projects, particularly during school holidays 

1. Public Relations 

• Act as a representative of the school in external relations 
• Plan and organise open days, school tours, and promotional activities together with the HoE 
• Oversee the School’s webpage and social media presence to ensure accurate and relevant information is published by the HoE 
• Protect and enhance the school’s reputation 

9. Others 

• Carry out specific tasks as required by the Board of Parents or the Board of Trustees. 

10. Partnership with the Head of Education 

• Work in close collaboration with the HoE in ensuring alignment between educational goals, strategic orientation and operational capacity 
• Support the HoE in delivering high-quality education through effective resourcing and structures 
• Respect and uphold the HoE’s delegated authority for pedagogical leadership, curriculum, teaching, learning, and child development 
• Provide strategic support and challenge to ensure educational excellence is delivered within sustainable organisational structures

2 open days

1 Phone Call

1 Onsite Interview

4 Days after Interview