Job Description

School Principal, Sheikh Somaliland
Organisation Overview
The Pharo Foundation is a mission-driven organisation working to build a vibrant, productive, and self-reliant
Africa. Founded and fully funded by Pharo Management, an emerging markets hedge fund, the Foundation
applies private sector rigour and operational discipline to maximise impact.
We invest in economic development programmes and ventures to deliver sustainable impact, meaningful
outcomes that continue long after the initial investment, rather than gains that require constant external funding
to maintain. Thus, our model links two engines together: ventures create jobs and economic activity, while their
profits help fund the development programmes that strengthen the conditions for future growth.
Over the next decade, the Foundation’s ambition is to deliver lasting impact across three interdependent
missions:
1. Empowering the next generation through affordable, high-quality education
2. Solving water scarcity through sustainable infrastructure
3. Driving economic productivity by unlocking jobs, investment, and innovation through both non-profit
and for-profit ventures
The Foundation operates in Ethiopia, Somaliland, Kenya, and Rwanda, employing more than 800 people across
three divisions: Pharo Schools, Pharo Development, and Pharo Ventures.
Pharo Foundation’s education mission is implemented through the Pharo-brand schools, ranging from
kindergarten, primary and secondary. The Foundation operates three Pharo schools in Somaliland. Pharo
School Sheik is one of these schools.
Located in the town of Sheikh in the Sahil Region of Somaliland, Pharo School Sheikh, is a secondary school is a
renowned boarding school that was established in British Somaliland in 1958. The school offers a blended
curriculum and teaches both, the national curriculum of Somaliland as well as the British Pearson curriculum
and prepares the student for the national grade 12 exam, edexcel iGCSE, and iA examination. The school has
always been one of the top schools in the country. Many of the prominent northern Somali politicians and other
key officials are graduates of this school.
Position Summary:
 We are seeking an exceptional, committed School Principal who has a proven track record in leading a Secondary
School to academic excellence and delivery of the British Curriculum. The incumbent should have extensive
school management experience, particularly within a developing country setting. The principal will be residing
on campus and will be accountable for offering effective leadership and overseeing the daily operations of the
entire school, emphasizing the school's academics. The successful candidate will be closely aligned with the
Pharo Foundation's core values and ethos. We believe this is a unique school and context and we are looking for
a candidate who has the ideal competence for this senior role to be part of our team.
Key summary:
Position: School Principal
Location: Sheikh, Somaliland
Reporting to: Head of Education
Contract Type: Fixed Term

Pharo Secondary School, Sheikh, Somaliland www. pharofoundation.org
Direct reports: Vice Principal, School Accountant, Head of Administration and General Services, School Secretary
and all relevant school management.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. Academic Leadership & Innovation
• Curriculum Development: Provide day-to-day leadership in developing progressive curricula that
integrate computer technology, surpassing national and regional standards.
• Faculty Support: Collaborate with staff to identify curriculum needs regarding teaching materials,
faculty resource allocation, and program support.
• 21st Century Pedagogy: Guide the teaching faculty to adopt project-based learning, equipping students
with critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy skills.
• Academic Alignment: Support faculty in designing and administering academic programs that align
with the school’s vision, mission, and values.
• Performance Evaluation: Implement a rigorous teacher evaluation and professional development
framework to build the most competent teaching faculty in Somaliland.
• Language & Tech Integration: Cultivate a campus-wide culture of English language proficiency and
champion the central role of computer technology in the learning environment.
• Holistic Education: Direct elective offerings, cultural exposures, and athletic programs to complement
academic learning and promote a well-rounded student experience.
• Character Development: Implement formal and informal programs that foster kindness, courtesy,
respect, integrity, and a lifelong love of learning.
2. Enrollment & Student Onboarding
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner with relevant schools, Foundation stakeholders, and government
authorities to establish standards and procedures for admission testing and enrollment.
• Strategic Enrollment: Recommend and execute initiatives to meet enrollment objectives concerning
student numbers, character, equity, and potential for academic success.
• Onboarding Management: Oversee the seamless annual onboarding process for new students and
their parents on campus.
3. Student Supervision, Welfare & Pastoral Care
• Policy Management: Work alongside the Head of Education and faculty to design and execute policies
that address comprehensive student needs.
• Student Tracking: Establish systems to track student progress early, allowing for timely academic or
behavioral interventions.
• Progress Assessment: Oversee continuous student evaluations, addressing areas of concern swiftly
and constructively.
• Safeguarding: Operationalize and strictly enforce the school's child safety and protection policies.
• Community Engagement: Develop robust communication channels with parents and the wider
community, including regular parents' campus events.
4. Human Resources & Talent Management
• Workforce Planning: Clearly define teaching and non-teaching positions required to execute the
school’s strategic programs.

Pharo Secondary School, Sheikh, Somaliland www. pharofoundation.org
• Recruitment & Retention: Build a talent pipeline to attract and retain highly skilled educators,
fostering a culture of collaboration and shared best practices.
• Performance Standards: Maintain high professional growth and performance standards among direct
reports and the broader staff.
• Workplace Culture: Cultivate a harmonious, safe, and productive working environment for all
professional staff.
5. Institutional Management & Compliance
• Operational Leadership: Collaborate closely with the SLT to ensure efficient daily school operations.
• Quality Framework: Ensure full compliance with the ‘Pharo School Hallmark’ quality framework.
• Strategic Networking: Engage with other educational institutions in Somaliland and the wider Pharo
Schools network to anticipate educational trends and foster continuous learning.
• Financial Oversight: Lead the annual budgeting process for the school, ensure compliance, and partner
with the finance team and parent community to achieve 100% collection of school fees.
• Community Relations: Cultivate strong partnerships with the local community, engaging parents as
active stakeholders in the school's success.

Experiences and Qualifications

• Academic Background: Graduate or Postgraduate degree (preferred) in Education Management or a
related discipline.
• Leadership Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience as a School Principal, Vice-Principal,
Administrator, or Academic Dean, specifically within a boarding school environment.
• Curriculum Expertise: Proven experience working with the Pearson (Edexcel) curriculum for IGCSEand A-levels.
• Geographic Context: Relevant work experience in a developing country, with a strong preference for
experience within Africa.
• Strategic & Financial Planning: Proven track record in setting 5–7 year strategic school plans and
managing annual boarding school budgets.
Specialized Knowledge & Track Record
• Systems Management: Demonstrated ability to manage daily school routines, ensuring academic
performance, system efficiency, and campus safety.
• Pastoral Care: Experience overseeing student welfare, including physical, emotional, and safeguarding
needs.
• Compliance Background: An exemplary professional track record with zero history of performance
warnings or child safeguarding incidents.
• Adaptability: Willingness to live and work in Sheikh.
Behavioural Competencies
• Community Pillar: An exemplary leader with a strong, positive presence on campus and within the
local community.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English. Proficiency in the
Somali language is a distinct asset.
• Mission-Driven: A deep passion for girls' education, Africa's development, and alignment with the
Foundation’s values.
• Role Model: Exemplary professional conduct in terms of punctuality, attendance, and positive staff
engagement.

Pharo Secondary School, Sheikh, Somaliland www. pharofoundation.org
• Resilience & Drive: High energy, optimism, and determination to navigate challenges and see longterm initiatives through to completion.
• Sound Judgment: Proven ability to make balanced, high-stakes decisions under pressure.
• Collaborative Inclusivity: A natural ability to motivate, persuade, and bring the entire school
community along on a shared journey.

Skills Required

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