Student Affairs Officer

Student Affairs Officer – Pharo Secondary School Sheikh, Somaliland

Organisation Overview

Pharo Foundation (“the Foundation”) is a mission-driven, impact-oriented organisation that designs, funds, and operates economic development programmes towards a vibrant, productive, and self-reliant Africa. Over the next decade, our goal is to create maximum impact towards three critical missions:

1. Education: ensure that all students have an opportunity to access a high-quality and affordable education and become productive citizens in a rapidly changing world.
2. Water: ensure that people and communities across Africa have access to a safe and affordable source of water.
3. Productivity: eliminate health, financial, and structural barriers to employment and productivity for working people.

Pharo Foundation’s education mission is implemented through the Pharo-brand schools, ranging from kindergarten, to primary and secondary.  The Foundation operates four Pharo schools in Somaliland,  a Vocational Training Centre, Pharo Kindergarten, Pharo Primary, and Pharo Secondary Boarding school in Sheikh district.

The Foundation also operates Pharo Ventures which is the for-profit arm of its operations with sustainable businesses in Ethiopia and Somaliland geared towards job creation and economic empowerment.

With over 700 employees in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Somaliland, we are a diverse, multicultural, and passionate organisation. We have our headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, and a liaison office in London, UK, which is home to our parent organisation, Pharo Management.

Pharo Sheikh Secondary is a boarding school located in the Sahil region of Somaliland. Our school enriches both international and national curricula through diverse means, such as engaging reading materials, innovative technology-driven learning methods, and educational technology tools. We take pride in our well-equipped instructional spaces tailored for dynamic learning, ongoing assessment, mentorship, and age-appropriate resources like libraries, laboratories, ICT facilities, and pedagogical centers. We firmly uphold the significance of academic excellence in nurturing students, facilitating their seamless transition into adulthood, and paving the way for occupational and economic success.

Position Summary

Position:                   Student Life Officer

Reporting to:           School Principal

Location:                  Pharo Secondary School, Sheikh, Somaliland.

Contract type:         Fixed Term

Number of Positions:   3

We are seeking a passionate Student Life Officer to join our dynamic team. In this role, the officer will oversee the vibrant tapestry of student life, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment in the dormitories

while promoting student welfare and engagement. He/she will be instrumental in developing innovative programmes and initiatives that enhance physical, social, and leadership development among students. Collaborating closely with staff and the school health team, He/she will provide comprehensive support for students’ behavioural and health needs. The ideal candidate will excel in coordinating extracurricular activities and organizing engaging events that foster community involvement, all while serving as a mentor and role model.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Dormitory Supervision

• Supervise students’ dormitories during non-class hours and nighttime, ensuring punctual wake-up times, tidiness, and behavioural control.
• Conduct regular inspections of dormitory rooms and shared spaces to ensure cleanliness and hygiene are maintained.
• Enforce curfews and manage dormitory schedules to balance discipline with student autonomy.
• Mentor students, fostering a positive and encouraging learning environment.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of students during all activities, addressing any behavioural issues promptly.
• Supervise students during evening study sessions, ensuring focus and discipline during academic preparation time.
• Assists and understands adolescent development and the challenges faced by students living away from home.

Extracurricular Management

• Develop, coordinate, and supervise a variety of extracurricular activities, including sports teams, academic clubs, cultural clubs, and arts programmes.
• Organise school events such as talent shows, sports days, and awards ceremonies to foster student engagement.
• Manage event logistics, including scheduling, coordinating with staff, securing venues, and overseeing event setup.
• Collaborate with the student government in planning and managing events such as cultural days and community service projects.
• Support student-led clubs by helping them set goals, plan activities, and manage resources.
• Mentor student club leaders to promote leadership, teamwork, and responsibility within their groups.

Administrative Tasks

• Collaborate with teachers and staff to provide behavioural support and ensure consistency in enforcing school rules and values.
• Maintain up-to-date student records, documenting behavioral issues, progress, and achievements.
• Communicate regularly with parents and guardians, providing updates on student behaviour and progress.
• Support the implementation of health, safety, and welfare procedures and policies.
• Work closely with the school health team to ensure students’ physical and mental health needs are supported.
• Assist the school administration with the day-to-day management of boarding life, including resource management for dormitories.
• Act as a liaison between the school administration and students, addressing concerns related to boarding life and ensuring student welfare is prioritized.
• Act as the school registrar and record keeper.
• Work closely with non-teaching staff to assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of their daily work plans, ensuring that all operational aspects of the boarding school run smoothly.

Qualifications Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in education, Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, or a related field is required.
• Additional qualifications in child development or youth leadership are an asset.
• At least 2-3 years of experience working in administration.
• At least 2 years of experience working with adolescents in a residential or educational setting.
• Experience in mentoring, counselling, or providing guidance to young people is highly desirable.
• Prior experience in managing dormitories or youth accommodations is an advantage.
• Willingness to live on-campus or work in shifts to provide round-the-clock supervision.
• A clean background check and references that demonstrate reliability, trustworthiness, and a commitment to student welfare.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strong leadership and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, with the capacity to build positive relationships with students, parents, and staff.
• Commitment to the Culture, Vision, Mission, and Values of the Foundation.
• Excellent organisational skills for managing multiple tasks and responsibilities efficiently.
• Very disciplined in terms of punctuality, attendance, positive engagement and professional relations among staff.
• Great determination, with the willpower and patience to see things through to completion.
• Positive disposition to involve the whole school community and take people forward together.
• Optimistic, resilient, and energetic with the willingness to make a change.

• A confident and charismatic communicator, persuader, listener, and motivator.
• Flexibility in adapting to the dynamic needs of the school.
• Empathy, patience and a passion for working with young people.
• High ethical standards and integrity in all interactions.
• Ability to maintain a structured, disciplined, and caring environment in the dormitory.
• Sound judgement, problem-solving, and crisis management skills.

Application procedure

Review of applications will begin as soon as they are received, and only complete applications will be reviewed. If an outstanding applicant is identified early in the search process, we reserve the right to appoint before the deadline. For this reason, we encourage interested and suitably qualified candidates to apply at the earliest possible opportunity. The position is open to both female and male nationals from Somaliland. Female Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

The application deadline is November 4th, 2024

Application Requirement

1. A detailed CV.
2. Cover letter - In your cover letter, please indicate your motivation for the role and state where you heard about this position or saw it advertised e.g., through our website, jobs board, etc.

1. An updated list of at least (4) referees with their name, title, current email addresses and phone numbers as follows; two supervisors, one peer, one direct report.