About the Role

The Head of Department (English) is responsible for leading the English department to ensure high-quality teaching and learning in line with school expectations. This role involves overseeing the development of the subject area, enhancing teaching practices, monitoring student progress, managing department resources effectively, and fostering a collaborative and supportive team environment.

Kopila Valley School (KVS) is seeking creative thinkers who embrace new approaches to teaching and learning for lower secondary and secondary level. This is an opportunity for you to work with a forward-thinking school that is integrating technology into classrooms to enhance the understanding of lessons and make engaging and fun. The school provides excellent benefits and a supportive work environment that encourages teamwork and personal growth. 

Application Deadline: Rolling basis.

Requirements

• Education: Master’s degree in a relevant subject.
• Experience: 5 years of experience in teaching, and 2 years of experience in working as an HOD or in any leadership position.
• Language: Fluent in English and Nepali would be an added advantage.
• Other Qualifications: Team player, good presentation skill, initiator, ability to use computer tools, and passionate about working with children and vulnerable populations.

Core Responsibilities 

• Leadership, Management, and Development of the Subject Area.
• Development and Enhancement of Teaching and Learning.
• Leadership and Management of the Department as a Team.

Detailed Areas of Responsibilities

The Teaching Assistant will be mainly responsible for overseeing the following areas of responsibility:

Leadership, Management, and Development of the Subject Area.

• Direct and supervise the work of English department colleagues, ensuring adherence to best practices.
• Take a reflective and evaluative approach to enhance the department's effectiveness, utilizing data and evidence to inform school management.
• Set challenging targets for the department and individual staff members, contributing positively to curriculum development.
• Assess teaching standards and student learning through lesson observations and feedback mechanisms.
• Lead professional development initiatives for English department staff, serving as a role model and providing support as needed.

Development and Enhancement of Teaching and Learning

• Lead by example in delivering engaging and effective English language instruction.
• Create a conducive learning environment that fosters enthusiasm and confidence among staff and students.
• Design, implement, and review curricula and schemes of work, ensuring alignment with school objectives and standards.
• Provide guidance on appropriate teaching methods and resource utilization to meet diverse student needs.
• Ensure all students, including those with special educational needs, achieve high standards in English language proficiency.
• Evaluate the impact of teaching practices on student progress through various measures, including student and parent feedback.
• Implement interventions as needed to support student learning and attainment, in alignment with school reporting policies.

Leadership and Management of the Department as a Team 

• Conduct regular meetings with English department staff, facilitating communication and collaboration.
• Foster a culture of collective responsibility, shared aims, and consistent expectations within the department.
• Provide mentorship, motivation, and support to colleagues, delegating responsibilities as appropriate.
• Identify and acquire appropriate resources for the English department, ensuring efficient and safe utilization.
• Prepare and submit annual budget proposals to meet departmental needs.

Additional expectations 

The HOD- English is also expected to: 

• Build positive working relationships and environment in the organization by bringing solutions to the discussion table. 
• Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions and execution of duties. 
• Report to the line manager every week, and as needed in case of urgent issues.   
• Ensure and enforce confidentiality in collected information/data as per school codes.
• Embrace and support the values of gender equity, social inclusion, and sustainability.
• Proficiency in planning and utilizing computer-based resources.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and extend student learning.
• Patience, creativity, and adaptability in addressing diverse student needs.
• Ability to foster positive relationships with students, parents, and colleagues.
• Respect for diversity and commitment to creating an inclusive learning environment.
• Participate actively in training, workshops, and seminars to enhance professional growth and contribute to the school's overall improvement.
• Performance will be periodically reviewed by the principal, with opportunities provided for feedback and improvement.
• Adhere to all school rules, regulations, and practices, and always uphold professional standards.

The above list of responsibilities is not comprehensive, and the HOD- English may be required to take on additional responsibilities, as determined by his/her manager.

Note:

This job description is subject to change based on the evolving needs and requirements of the English department and Kopila Valley School.

Key Characteristics 

• You believe that we can change the world in the blink of an eye.
• You believe in making decisions that put children first.
• You are self-motivated, organized, and approachable.
• You enjoy creating systems, keeping records, and increasing efficiency.
• You are always looking for new ways for our team to work smarter instead of harder.
• You are detail-oriented and conscientious. You make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
• You have a strong work ethic and a willingness to pick up new skills. You are comfortable multi-tasking.
• You are experienced and comfortable talking with a wide range of people from nursery children to government ministers.
• You are positive, patient, and a clear communicator who is comfortable working with both Kopila Valley staff in Nepal and the BlinkNow staff in the United States.
• You are an empathetic person, with a knack for putting out fires before they start and soothing conflicts brewing beneath the surface.
• You require little supervision and are flexible. You understand that you will be wearing many hats in this role, many of which are not explicitly included in this job description.