BALIMO COLLEGE SCHOOL OF NURSING

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS POSITION IS FOR A PRINCIPAL TO BE BASED IN BALIMO COLLEGE CAMPUS IN WESTERN PROVINCE, PNG. BEFORE APPLYING, PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE THE RELEVANT NURSING AND ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, AND THE ABILITY TO RELOCATE TO WESTERN PROVINCE

ORGANISATION: Balimo College

POSITION: Principal - Balimo College School of Nursing

LOCATION: Balimo, Western Province

COMMENCEMENT: January 2025

DURATION: 12-month contract with a 3-month probationary period

REMUNERATION: Competitive remuneration package offered

REPORTING TO: Chair, Balimo College Governing Council

ABOUT BALIMO COLLEGE:

Balimo College is Western Province’s newest Higher Education Institute. In 2025, Balimo College opened the new School of Nursing and commenced a 4-year Bachelor of General Nursing program. The College’s vision is to advance Western Province by providing high-quality education, research and community engagement. The institute will foster pathways for teachers and nurses who are committed to improving access to vital services in Western Province.

Balimo College is a safe and supportive place for graduates and other professionals across the Western Province catchment region to return for life-long learning and ongoing professional development. The College will develop a community of education and health professionals committed to innovation, excellence and community advancement; by being the training College of choice for Papua New Guineans.

Balimo College is a PNG Sustainable Development Program (SDP) initiative delivered in partnership with KTF, Divine Word University, and Western Sydney University. Balimo College School of Nursing is an affiliate of Divine Word University.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Balimo College School of Nursing Principal is responsible for upholding the College’s Vision, Mission, Core Values, Educational Philosophy and Goals. The Principal will operate within the Balimo College School of Nursing leadership structure as determined by the Chair, Governing Council, to disseminate strong, effective educational leadership, and manage all information technology within the parameters identified in this position description.

The Principal will have an in-depth knowledge of the ethos and purpose of the Balimo College School of Nursing and the principles by which it operates. The Principal will have a firm understanding of the Western Province health context and the objectives of Balimo College School of Nursing to create pathways for rural communities into the field of nursing.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
Applicants must demonstrate that they are able to meet the following Key Selection Criteria:

• Master’s Level Health qualification.
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing.
• Education qualification.
• Minimum 8 years of teaching experience.
• Demonstrated strong leadership skills with experience in a leadership role.
• Knowledge of a range of educational theories, techniques, and methodologies of personnel and management and a strong interest in current educational and technological trends.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Be willing to relocate to Balimo College campus.
• Applicants must have the right to work in

Knowledge of:

• State-of-the-art theories, techniques, and methodologies of personnel and management.
• Principles and practices of administration and supervision.
• PNG Nursing Council Standards.
• Bachelor of Nursing Curriculum.
• DHERST requirements for a School of Nursing.

Ability to:

• Provide leadership and direction to Staff.
• Analyse problems, make decisions, and be responsible for those decisions.
• Communicate effectively with staff, students and community.
• Prepare comprehensive narrative and statistical or financial reports.
• Interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, procedures and statistics.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Operate a computer to a high level of competence and other office equipment.
• Analyse situations accurately and adopt an effective course of
• Meeting schedules and timelines.
• Work independently with little direction.
• Plan and organise work.

Personal Skills & Attributes:

• Strong health education background.
• Care for young people.
• Intellectual capacity.
• Proven ability to lead and work with teams.
• Relational style which commands loyalty.
• Problem solving ability.
• Multi-tasking capability.
• Strong interest in current educational trends.
• High administrative ability.
• Strong sense of justice.
• Ability to confront difficult situations.
• Resilience and energy.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Principal is responsible for:

• Establishing and upholding a management vision for the Balimo College School of Nursing.
• Exercising discernment and care in leading staff, students and
• Developing and leading a school executive team that will cultivate and strengthen a positive teaching, learning and working environment for all staff and students at every level of operations.
• Making operational decisions which support the Balimo College School of Nursing vision and ensure the smooth day to day operations of the College.

Vision, Mission and Culture

• Uphold and lead others to the realisation of the Mission, Vision, Values, Educational Philosophy and Goals of the Balimo College School of Nursing in all operations.
• Be able to think strategically, hold a vision for the College and lead others to the realisation of that
• Establish a School culture that will characterise the School as a place of care, academic excellence, transparency and integrity, accountability, and commitment to community.
• Establish a strong collaborative service culture within the School of Nursing and local

Human Resources

• Co-chair the Staffing Committee meetings and ensure the Charter is followed in order to provide guidance, oversight, and support to Balimo College School of Nursing management.
• Take responsibility for, and be directly involved in, the appointment of lecturers and support staff in accordance with the Balimo College School of Nursing Employment policies and practices and work collaboratively with the Governing Council in the appointment of full-time This includes wide consultation with regard to future college planning and academic staffing structures.
• Recommend the hiring, rewarding, disciplining, terminating, and remuneration of School of Nursing employees except for him/herself, in direct consultation with the Governing Council and in accordance with policy and/or approved budgets.
• Induct, supervise and evaluate performance of all staff in accordance with College policies and practices: provide counselling and assistance as indicated; recommend appropriate action in cases of substandard performances; identify and encourage individual teachers and support staff with leadership potential.
• Ensure written communication of employment details to teaching and non-teaching staff occurs annually, or more often as required, in consultation with the Chair.

Administration

• Be familiar with College administration procedures and seek to streamline processes and effect efficient practices in liaison with the administration staff.
• Liaise with the Governing Council in setting budgets for the School of Nursing.
• Work closely with Divine Word University.
• Monitor actual spending against budget, in consultation with the College’s Finance Manager and FARM Committee, taking steps to ensure that budgets are not exceeded.
• Take responsibility for ensuring that the College fulfils all requirements associated with registration with the PNG Department of Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology (DHERST), National Department of Health (NDOH) and Nursing Council of Papua New Guinea in consultation with the Governing Council.
• Attend all Balimo College Governing Council and DWU Academic meetings.
• Prepare the School academic calendar in collaboration with the Leadership
• Ensure appropriate tasks are delegated to staff to ensure all operations are effective and
• Plan and facilitate staff meetings and strategic professional learning and
• Regularly review the documentation and implementation of College rules and behavioural
• Prepare timetable, teaching allocations and staff
• Preparation of the practicum program as outlined in the Nursing Curriculum.
• Oversee preparation of the new Staff Induction
• Oversee the annual staff induction into all relevant policy
• Have a working knowledge of the College administration systems and College
• Ensure that the maintenance requirements are documented and that regular maintenance occurs around the College as per the Maintenance Policy.
• Make recommendation to the Governing Council for improvement of
• Ensure that Occupational Health and Safety Policy and Procedures are adhered
• Maintain up to date files electronically and/or in print of all administrative systems, such as: student records, staff records and archives.
• Take an active role in the ongoing review, development and implementation of College policies and the annual College Business Plan.
• Recommend new policy and initiatives to the Governing

Teaching & Learning

• Co-Chair Academic Board meetings and be responsible for key components of an academic governance framework: academic governance; academic strategy; academic standards and quality; and academic risk.
• Actively and pro-actively enhance the quality of teaching and learning.
• Analyse and evaluate available data on student performance and take appropriate action to improve teaching and learning outcomes.
• Oversee curriculum development, curriculum review and balance of curriculum in line with the College educational directions and the Curriculum Review Policy, ensuring Divine Word University curriculum support documentation and resources are aligned.
• Keep abreast of developments in Digital Learning Technologies and actively promote use by teachers in the classroom.
• Oversee assessment and reporting.
• Manage a personal teaching load.

Student Enrolment and Welfare

• Co-Chair the Student Committee meetings and ensure they provide a means for students to communicate with Balimo College School of Nursing management, staff and other students about any issues surrounding their studies and general well-being at Balimo College of Nursing.
• Initiate the interview process of prospective students and their families (where appropriate) for enrolment suitability according to the Balimo College School of Nursing Enrolment Policy.
• Offer placements to students according to the Balimo College School of Nursing Enrolment Policy.
• Liaise with parents/families regarding enrolment of students with special needs and ongoing well-being of the students.

Professional Development

• Regularly attend Professional Development Training Seminars to keep abreast of current health and educational trends.
• Ensure that all staff actively engage in appropriate Professional Development and facilitate staff attendance at professional development activities.
• Keep up to date with current educational thought and practice.
• Implement the Balimo College School of Nursing Professional Learning and Development Policy.

Financial Management

• Work with the Finance and Risk Management Committee of the Balimo College Governing Council to closely monitor the College’s financial position.
• Provide guidance on appropriate future strategies.
• Review financial policies.
• Provide input to the budget of the School of Nursing.
• Work with the Finance Manager and Finance and Risk Management Committee to manage the budget.
• Act as a responsible signatory.

Balimo College of Nursing is a child safe organisation committed to the protection of people we serve. Our recruitment and selection procedures are designed to ensure we only recruit people who are suitable and aligned with our policies that ensure the safety of children and protection of all from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. All appointments are subject to appropriate background checks and screening and the successful candidate will be required to get a Working with Children check and/or a Police Certificate. We promote diversity and equality in all our practices and strongly encourage those with diverse backgrounds and/or disabilities to apply for positions with Balimo College School of Nursing.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• A competitive remuneration package
• Relocation costs to Balimo
• Employee benefits in line with our Employee Benefits Policy

HOW TO APPLY

• We encourage you to apply early. We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis. Qualified candidate will be contacted for an interview. The position will remain open until it is filled.
• Apply via email to [email protected] with the following documents attached:
  • A cover letter addressing the following:
    • Your interest in the position of Principal – Balimo College – School of Nursing
    • Your teaching philosophy
    • Your leadership philosophy
  • Your current resume
  • A copy of your Bachelor’s Degree (required)
  • A copy of your Master’s Degree (required)
  • At least one written reference