Head of School- Uganda and Tanzania-

Aga Khan Schools (AKS) is part of the broader Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). The organisation is committed to improving quality of life through education and developing learners who become ethical leaders, global citizens and contributors to positive societal change.

Aga Khan Schools is seeking experienced educational leaders to fill two senior leadership positions: Head of School, Uganda, and Head of School, Tanzania.

Job Overview
The Head of School serves as the senior educational and institutional leader, providing strategic, academic, cultural and operational leadership. The role is accountable to the relevant AKS Global Management Lead and the respective AKS Board, as appropriate, and works closely with the Aga Khan Schools Global Office.

The successful candidates will lead high-performing schools, promote educational excellence and strengthen a values-driven learning environment. They will also contribute to the wider development of AKS as a globally connected, locally grounded and impact-driven education system.

The Head of School will lead the Senior Leadership Team and foster a culture of excellence, integrity, pluralism, inclusion, compassion, belonging and service.

Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic and Educational Leadership
Develop and promote a compelling educational vision grounded in excellence, pluralism, ethics and service.
Ensure high-quality delivery of the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum, including the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP), where applicable, and/or other approved curricula.
Promote innovative, future-ready learning through reflective practice, digital learning and the responsible use of technology.
Maintain high academic standards while supporting learners’ holistic development.
Build a culture of continuous improvement, professional development, creativity, wellbeing and high expectations.
Model strong personal conduct, ethics, professionalism and educational leadership.
2. People and Culture
Build, lead and develop high-performing, diverse and values-driven teams.
Strengthen national staff capacity, particularly among faculty, and develop talent pipelines and succession opportunities.
Promote trust, belonging, accountability, collaboration and professional growth.
Develop leadership capacity and support the growth of local and emerging leaders.
Maintain high standards of safeguarding, student wellbeing and pastoral care.
3. Student and Community Experience
Place student wellbeing, voice and personal development at the centre of school life.
Build respectful relationships with students, families, alumni and the wider community through openness, visibility and trust.
Promote an inclusive school culture based on care, intercultural understanding and service.
Strengthen the school’s reputation, impact and engagement at local, regional and international levels.
4. Governance, Operations and Sustainability
Provide leadership across finance, human resources, operations, facilities, admissions, enrolment and risk management.
Ensure sound financial management, operational effectiveness and long-term sustainability.
Work with school Boards, the AKS Global Office and key stakeholders to deliver strategic priorities.
Balance the needs of different stakeholders while maintaining clear objectives and accountability.
Promote responsible resource management and sustainable practices.
5. Network Collaboration and System Leadership
Contribute to the development and alignment of Aga Khan Schools as a globally connected and locally grounded education system.
Lead and support network-wide initiatives, collaboration, innovation and shared learning.
Strengthen quality, institutional effectiveness and alignment across the AKS portfolio.
Participate in regional and international meetings, exchanges and strategic initiatives.
Collaborate with Aga Khan University, the University of Central Asia and other high-quality education institutions to help graduates access quality tertiary education.
Contribute to national policy development relating to pre-tertiary education and pedagogy.
Keep up to date with developments in school improvement, teacher development, pedagogy, curriculum development and educational technology, promoting continuous inquiry and the adoption of best practices.
Qualifications and Requirements
Experience and Knowledge
Candidates should demonstrate:

Proven senior leadership experience in high-performing international or independent schools, preferably in regions where Aga Khan Schools operates.
A strong record of academic and pedagogical leadership, with demonstrable impact on student learning, wellbeing and school improvement.
Good experience with the IB continuum (PYP, MYP and DP) or comparable international curricula.
International professional experience, ideally in diverse, multicultural and/or resource-constrained settings.
Success in team building, leadership development, organisational effectiveness, performance development and management.
Experience in financial leadership, budgeting and managing complex educational operations.
Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills, including partnerships, admissions, community engagement and institutional representation.
Leadership Competencies
The ideal candidates will demonstrate:

Vision and strategic leadership: Ability to develop and deliver a future-oriented educational vision aligned with AKS’s mission and values.
Educational excellence: Strong understanding of teaching, learning, student development and continuous improvement in international and pluralistic settings.
People leadership: Ability to inspire, coach, empower and develop teams while promoting trust, belonging, collaboration and accountability.
Cultural intelligence: Sensitivity, humility and effectiveness when working across diverse cultural environments.
Innovation and change leadership: Commitment to innovation, reflective practice, future-ready learning and responsible technology use.
Relationship building: Ability to establish trust and meaningful partnerships with diverse stakeholders and communities.
Judgement and decision-making: Ability to make sound, ethical decisions while navigating complexity, uncertainty and competing priorities.
Personal Attributes
Applicants should demonstrate:

Integrity, humility, compassion and strong ethical principles.
Emotional intelligence, resilience, adaptability and professional maturity.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
An open-minded, reflective and intellectually curious approach.
Commitment to pluralism, service and education as a driver of positive social change.
Passion for developing young people as ethical leaders, global citizens and responsible contributors to society.
Values Alignment
Successful candidates will demonstrate strong alignment with the mission and values of Aga Khan Schools, including:

Pluralism, inclusion and respect for diversity.
Excellence, integrity and ethical leadership.
Service, compassion and civic responsibility.
Commitment to community, dialogue and lifelong learning.
Education as a means of improving quality of life and contributing to positive societal change.

Note: There are two opportunities that is in Uganda and Tanzania.
 
How to apply

Submit your application online