Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Shining Hope for Communities Upper Primary Literacy & Social Studies Teacher Job in Nairobi, Kenya

Shining Hope for Communities has developed an innovative, community-driven model to combat inter-generational cycles of poverty and gender inequality in Nairobi’s Kibera slum. 

We link free schools for girls to accessible social services for all. In August 2009, we founded The Kibera School for Girls, the first entirely free school for girls in Kibera. 


The second step of our model provides the community-at-large with tangible benefits through a community center adjacent to the school. 

The unique services we offer include sanitary eco-toilets, a library and cyber cafĂ©, gender violence support, microenterprise for HIV positive women, a youth center, access to water, business and literacy training, and hundreds of jobs. 

We also operate the Johanna Justin-Jinich Community Clinic, which specializes in primary care and maternal health. 

By investing in health and economic success through a school for girls, we demonstrate that benefitting women benefits the whole community, cultivating a community ethos that makes women respected members of society.

Shining Hope for Communities invites applications from suitably qualified applicants to fill the following vacant position:-

Upper Primary Literacy & Social Studies Teacher
 
Location: Kibera
Reports to: Kibera School for Girls Headmistress
Hours: Monday- Friday, 7am to 5pm
 
Primary Purpose:

To create a flexible upper primary Literacy & Social Studies program and a class environment favorable to learning and personal growth; to establish effective rapport with students; to motivate students to develop skills, attitudes and knowledge needed to provide a good foundation for upper elementary grade education in accordance with each student’s ability; to establish good relationships with parents and other staff members

About Kibera School for Girls:

The Kibera School for Girls is the first free primary school for girls in the Kibera slum. 

The school strives to empower the young women of Kibera to imagine and then enact their own solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems by providing a superior education. 

The Kibera School for Girls creates lifelong learners who take with them the skills to change their own lives and feel a responsibility to give back to others.

School Mission:
  • The Kibera School for Girls provides an education rooted in principles of tolerance, creativity, and self-directed learning. The school provides a supportive environment for young women to realize their full potentials through a strong arts program, a focus on literacy, a science and math program, and opportunities for students to find and learn about their own passions.
  • The Kibera School for Girls was founded based on recognition of a need for educational reform in Kenya and a desperate need for empowering educational spaces for women. By providing all female role models, employing talented and passionate female teachers and staff from Kibera, and serving the neediest students the school is a beacon of hope.
  • We believe in teaching children that anything is possible with hard work and education, in classrooms where children learn at their own pace, and in creating an environment that is challenging, engaging, and creative.
  • Through principles of creativity, non-discrimination, free education, and communal and parental engagement The Kibera School for Girls will bring social and systemic change to pass.
Duties of this job include, but are not limited to:
  • Teaches upper primary literacy and social studies using KSG’s curriculum.
  • Works with elementary school teachers to further develop and improve their literacy and social studies knowledge and lessons.
  • Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and provides individualized and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each student.
  • Uses a variety of instruction strategies, such as inquiry, group discussion, lecture, discovery, etc.
  • Translates lesson plans into learning experiences so as to best utilize the available time for instruction.
  • Assesses students’ literacy skills and social studies knowledge for the purposes of refining classroom activities and providing feedback to students, parents and administration regarding students’ progress, keeps appropriate records, and prepares progress reports.
  • Establishes and maintains standards of student behavior needed to achieve a functional learning atmosphere in the classroom.
  • Communicates with parents through conferences and other means to discuss students’ progress and interpret the school program.
  • Identifies student needs and cooperates with other professional staff members in assessing and helping students solve health, attitude, and learning problems.
  • Creates an effective environment for learning through functional and attractive displays, bulletin boards, and interest centers.
  • Maintains professional competence through in-service education activities provided by professional growth activities.
  • Selects and requisitions books and instructional aids; maintains required inventory records.
  • Supervises students in out-of-classroom activities during the school day.
  • Administers group standardized tests in accordance with school and national testing program.
  • Participates in curriculum development programs as required.
  • Participates in faculty committees and the sponsorship of student activities.
Candidate Requirements  
  • Bachelors of Education. With a concentration in Language and Humanities preferred. 
  • Demonstrates a working knowledge of methods, materials and techniques used to teach literacy and social studies instruction for grades 4-8. 
  • At least three years of experience teaching middle-school literacy. 
  • Desire to be held accountable for student academic growth and academic results. 
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively and flexibly with a diverse team of teachers. 
  • Analytical problem-solver and solutions-oriented strategic thinker who overcomes difficult challenges. 
  • Technological proficiency.
  • Professional demeanor, strong work-ethic, detail-driven work style with excellent organizational skills. 
  • Ambitious nature interested in growing as an educator and reaching high standards professionally.
How to Apply:

Interested applicants should send their applications together with a detailed CV to the HR Manager, jobs@shininghopeforcommunities.org

So as to reach us no later than 28th February 2014

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.