POSITION TITLE: PRINCIPAL – BALIMO COLLEGE – SCHOOL OF TEACHING

AREA: Education

LOCATION: Balimo College, New Town, Balimo, Delta Fly District, Western Province PNG

TYPE / DURATION: Full time, 1-year Contract

REMUNERATION: Competitive Remuneration Package

REPORTING TO: Executive Principal, Balimo College

ABOUT BALIMO COLLEGE:

Balimo College’s vision is to advance Western Province by providing high-quality teaching, research and community engagement. The institute will foster pathways of teachers and health workers who are committed to improving access to vital services in Western Province. Balimo College will be 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 funded by SDP and managed by KTF. SDP has a mandate to deliver development programs which provide lasting benefits to the people of Western Province. Our efforts are focused on Health, Education, Infrastructure and Agribusiness. We aim to supplement and complement the efforts of the Fly River Provincial Government (FRPG), in other words, help fill the gaps in the existing systems.

Balimo College is recognized as a Higher Education Institute by the National Higher Technical Education Board of the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST). This recognition has been granted in accordance with the provisions of the Higher Education (General Provisions) Act 2014, as amended in 2020, under Section 14(1)(i) and 55(4)(a).

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Principal – School of Teaching is responsible for leading the Balimo College – School of teaching by upholding the College’s Vision, Mission, Core Values, Educational Philosophy and Goals. The Principal will operate within the Balimo College executive leadership structure as determined by the Governing Council, to provide strong, effective educational leadership 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 and the principles by which it operates. The Principal will have a firm understanding of the Western Province education context and the objectives of Balimo College to create pathways for rural communities into teaching and community health work.

The Principal is responsible for:

• Establishing and upholding a management vision for the Balimo College.
• Exercising discernment and care in leading staff, students and parents.
• 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 vision and ensure the smooth day to day operations of the College.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Vision, Mission and Culture

• Uphold the Mission, Vision, Values, Educational Philosophy and Goals of the Balimo College in all operations.

• Be able to think strategically, hold a vision for the College and lead others to the realisation of that vision.
• Establish a College culture that will characterise the College as a place of care, academic excellence, transparency and integrity, accountability, and commitment to community.
• Establish a strong collaborative service culture within the College and local community.

Human Resources

• Take responsibility for, and be directly involved in, the appointment of teachers and support staff in accordance with the Balimo College Employment policies and practices, and work collaboratively with the Governing Council in the appointment of fulltime staff.
• Recommend the hiring, rewarding, disciplining, terminating, and remuneration of College 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 Executive Principal.

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 and Executive Principal in setting budgets for the school.
• Monitor actual spending against budget, in consultation with the Executive Principal, 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 Education (NDOE) and Teaching Services Commission (TSC) in consultation with the Governing Council.
• Attend all Governing Council meetings.
• Prepare the School calendar in collaboration with the Leadership Team.
• Ensure appropriate tasks are delegated to staff to ensure all operations are effective and efficient.
• Plan and facilitate staff meetings and strategic professional learning and development.
• Regularly review the documentation and implementation of College rules and behavioural expectations.
• Prepare teaching allocations and responsibilities.
• Preparation of the timetable.
• Oversee preparation of the new Staff Induction Program.
• Oversee the annual staff induction into all relevant policy documents.
• Have a working knowledge of the College administration systems and College policies.
• 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 facilities.
• Ensure that Occupational Health and Safety Policy and Procedures are adhered to.
• 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 Council.

Teaching & Learning

• 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.
• 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.

Enrolment of Students

• Initiate the interview process of prospective students and their families (where appropriate) for enrolment suitability according to the Balimo College Enrolment Policy.
• Offer placements to students according to the Balimo College 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 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 Professional Learning and Development Policy.

Financial Management

• Work with the Finance 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 College.
• Work with the Finance Manager and Finance Committee to manage the budget
• Act as a responsible signatory

YOUR SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES:

The ideal candidate will have:

Knowledge of:

• State-of-the-art theories, techniques, and methodologies of personnel and management.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Principles and practices of administration and supervision.

Ability to:

• Provide leadership and direction to Staff.

• Analyse problems, make decisions, and be responsible for those decisions.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with staff 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 actions.
• Meeting schedules and time-lines.
• Work independently with little direction.
• Plan and organise work.

Formal Qualifications:

• Masters level Education qualifications

Personal Skills & Attributes:

• Strong teacher background.

• Care for young people.
• Intellectual capacity.
• Proven ability to lead.
• Relational style which commands loyalty.
• Ability to lead and work with teams.
• 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.

Applicants must have the right to work in PNG.

This position will require travel within PNG from time to time; and possible travel to Australia.

Balimo College 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 and or those who identify as LGBTQI+ to apply for positions with Balimo College.

Balimo College strongly encourages all staff get vaccinated against COVID-19. This is not only for the protection of you, but also for the protection of our staff and the communities in which we work in.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply by emailing [email protected] with the following details:

• A cover letter addressing your vision for Balimo College – School of Teahing and how your leadership experience will support academic quality, staff performance, and student outcomes.
• Your Resume
• Your Qualifications
• A Police Clearance Certificate