Medan International School

Medan North Sumatra, Indonesia

seeks a new

Principal/Head of School

-- effective July 15, 2008 --

The School

Medan International School (MIS) is an independent, non-profit Pre K to Grade 10 institution offering the International Baccalaureate Primary Years (PYP), and Middle Years Program (MYP). It is also accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) headquartered in California, USA. MIS is located in Medan, the third largest city in Indonesia with a population of 3 million. MIS was established in 1967. MIS is also a member school of East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS).

Mission Statement

The Purpose of Medan International School is to provide a high quality, internationally accredited education which places the development of each student at the center of all educational endeavors.

Student population

Currently, MIS has an enrollment of 98 students: 78 in PYP and 20 in the MYP. Currently, the student body represents 22 nationalities. Indonesian government regulations limit the number of Indonesian students allowed to be enrolled to 20% of the expat students.

Campus and facilities

MIS is located on a beautifully landscaped site that includes a sports field, 3 playgrounds, an administration block which includes the library, 14 classrooms, a gymnasium, a 25-meter outdoor pool, a computer lab and a science lab.

Faculty and administration

The school has 9 overseas teachers and 5 local teachers.

Calendar

The academic year includes 182 school days in two semesters divided into 4 terms. The first semester begins in August and ends in December. The second semester begins in January and continues to June.

Governance

A seven-member board elected from within the school community governs the school. Each member serves a two-year term and can be re-elected for another term.

Organization and Administration

The school is organized into the PYP which encompasses grades pre-kindergarten entry (3 year olds) through grade 6, and the MYP which includes grades 7-10. There are two part-time coordinators, one for the MYP and one for the PYP.

The Position

The principal of MIS is invested by the Board of Directors with the responsibility and authority for the overall direction of the school, within the policies and directives established by the Board. The responsibilities of the School Director include the following:

• Designs and implements appropriate procedures for the efficient and effective administration of the school;
• Establishes administrative procedures to implement school policy;
• Works with the Board, faculty and parent community to develop school-wide goals and develop both short and long-term strategic plans;
• Provides professional leadership for the faculty and ensures the development and evaluation of the professional staff;
• Has authority over all employees, including the hiring and dismissal of employees, within policies and guidelines set by the Board;
• Is responsible for preparation and execution of the annual budget and acts on all financial and accounting matters within the policies set by the Board;
• Provides continuous curriculum development, implementation, and assessment of the school's academic program;
• Develops and maintains good communication with the school community thereby promoting the school's mission by informing the community of key aspects of the school's operation as well as listening to and addressing community concerns;
• Ensures that the school meets all standards of the WASC accreditation and implements the school wide action plan based on the latest report from the WASC visiting team;
• Ensures that the school meets all standards of the IB MYP and PYP accreditation in co-junction with the MYP and PYP coordinators and implements the school wide action plan based on the latest report from the IB visiting team.

Required Qualifications

• 4-5 years or more previous successful experience in senior leadership positions in small to medium size international schools;
• An advanced graduate degree in education or a related field;
• Successful classroom teaching experience;
• Exceptional team-building and leadership skills - ability to motivate, delegate and build consensus;
• Demonstrated success in recruiting and retaining an excellent faculty and staff;
• Hands on experience with building curriculum;
• Previous success in leading schools towards achieving academic excellence;
• Solid budgeting, finance, and information technology experience;
• The ability to think strategically and make difficult decisions;
• Ability and willingness to delegate to senior staff;
• Experience with IB programs, especially MYP and PYP, and WASC Accreditation;
• Enthusiasm, commitment and energy to develop and implement Board-approved initiatives relating to the full range of issues typically found in an international school servicing a culturally diverse market.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in international schools in Asia;
• Experience in implementation of IB programs;
• Familiarity with strategic or long range planning;
• Open to considering a commitment beyond the initial three-year term.

Personal Attributes

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• A good listener with a collaborative administrative style;
• Honesty, integrity, compassion and a good sense of humor;
• Ability to generate trust with all constituent groups;
• Strong organizational and proven problem-solving skills;
• Fair and firm - able to defend a point of view;
• Ability to balance the competing interests of the MYP and PYP;
• Cultural openness, sensitivity, and understanding;
• Ability to acknowledge extraordinary efforts, praise excellence and counter sub-standard performance;
• Stamina, perseverance, and a strong work ethic;

Position of Director

The Director is appointed by the Board of Directors to provide visionary leadership for the school. As the chief executive of the school, the Director manages the school on behalf of the Board of Directors, to whom he/she reports directly.

Terms and conditions

Base salary is competitive and benefits include a housing allowance, international medical insurance and shipping allowance at beginning and end of contract. The initial contract is for three years.

Procedure for Filling Application

The Board of Directors of MIS has appointed International Schools Services (ISS) to act as consultant in the search process for the new Principal. Candidates who wish to apply for the position must establish a professional file with ISS to facilitate the application process and to provide the Board/Search Committee with credentials and recommendations in a uniform and consistent manner. Candidates can initiate or reactivate a professional file with ISS at the ISS candidate portal.

The deadline for applications is March 28, 2008. Candidates are asked to submit their letter of interest as early as possible as the Board reserves the right to close the selection process at any time if the right candidate is found. Semifinalist candidates will be identified by ISS and their dossiers reviewed by the Search Committee. Candidates should send the information requested below. It must be submitted EXACTLY in the form and manner requested. Please DO NOT send any information other than that which is specifically requested below.

• A letter of application, no longer than two pages, explaining your strengths as a candidate and why you are interested in this particular position;
• A current resume not to exceed two pages;
• A one or two-page statement outlining educational beliefs and leadership style;
• A one-page list of references with phone numbers and e-mail addresses;
• A maximum of four letters of reference (scanned at low resolution) which may already be in your possession.