Job Description

School College Counsellor- Sheikh, Somaliland

Organisation Overview

The Pharo Foundation (the ‘’Foundation”) is a privately funded entrepreneurial organisation that runs philanthropic programmes as well as a for-profit arm, Pharo Ventures. The Vision of the Foundation is an economically vibrant and inclusive Africa. The Mission is to achieve the Vision by investing in the human and physical capital of Africa, with a strong focus on job creation.

Established in 2011, the Foundation has been implementing numerous programmes in Ethiopia and Somaliland and is in the process of expanding into Rwanda and Kenya. The strategic pillars of the Foundation are education, health, water, and agriculture in 2020, the Foundation also established Pharo Ventures, its wholly owned social enterprise arm, with the objectives of economic value and job creation in East Africa.

The Pharo Secondary School, Sheikh is a leading boarding school located in the Sahil Region, in the town of Sheikh between the port city of Berbera and Burcoa, Somaliland. The town of Sheikh has a pleasant cool climate all year round due to its high altitude. The school is renowned for its academic excellence and secure and caring environment in which students of all abilities can experience success and achieve their full potential within a broad and balanced curriculum. The aim is to prepare students to become respectful contributing members of the communities in which they live. The school counts many prominent politicians and other key officials among its graduates.

The school has 300 students from Form 1 to Form 4 with academic facilities that consist of fully equipped classrooms, science laboratories, a library, assembly and lecture halls, boys’ and girls’ dormitories, a dining hall and a clinic. The school is currently following two curriculums, UK Pearson Edexcel International IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) curriculum and the Somaliland National Curriculum.

The Pharo Foundation Education Programme is committed to raising students’ achievement and implementing learning experiences that contribute to the future skills needed for higher education. The curriculum and pedagogy are being used to promote the development of students’ 21st- century skills. This is achieved through the consistent use of rigorous learning outcomes and the alignment of supporting pedagogy and assessment.

Position Summary

The School College Counsellor is responsible for helping students develop skills in the areas of personal and social growth. S/he will prepare young people to be successful in school and beyond. The incumbents will guide students to discover themselves and advise on what they can do to overcome personal and social limitations to be successful. S/he will also be responsible for student exposure to careers/courses they can pursue and best-fit colleges/universities they can attend to realize their dreams.

Job Title: School College Counsellor

Reports to: School Principal

Job Location: Sheikh, Somaliland

Contract Type: Fixed Term (One year)

Key duties and responsibilities:

  • Create a college-going culture – the importance of higher education/college. Generate a school-wide college preparation/awareness plan.

  • Coordinate college event planning and implementation.

  • Work with faculty to integrate college-related skills into regular curricular.

  • Underline the fact that universities/colleges require more than academic giants; that both co- and extra-curricular activities complement good grades in college admission. Encourage them to

  • engage in as many relevant ones as they possibly can.

  • Provide holistic and comprehensive planning for the entirety of high school with a goal of helping

  • learners take full advantage of their academic and extra/co-curricular opportunities.

  • Create a folder for each class/grade with all personal information including family background, financial status and academic standing. This information is vital for the Pharo Foundation

  • scholarship evaluation/eligibility.

  • Liaise with the school examinations office to generate students’ performance data (all grades/classes) – both mid and end term and share the same with the Head of college

  • preparation.

  • Identify students who need intervention, send the information to the relevant authority and

  • revisit this regularly and store the data electronically.

  • Explore potential careers with students and the type of job opportunities that interest them. Be open-minded because new opportunities are constantly emerging and students need guidance in

  • the changing marketplace.

  • Help both learner and family to evaluate the learner’s strengths and identify the best-fit subjects

  • for higher education. Empower students to discover their paths.

  • Allow learners to set long-term goals (document this) and take advantage of their high school

  • years to discover their talents and interests.

  • Familiarize yourself with college application platforms including the Coalition for College, the

  • Common App, UCAS, specific university websites etc.

  • Understand the college admission process/requirements at a variety of institution types and

  • selectivity levels.

  • Understand admission terminologies such as early decision, early action, regular decision, rolling

  • admission, wild card, reach, target, safety etc.

  • Guide students and others in understanding the types of universities/colleges: public, private, research, liberal arts, community colleges etc. as well as the Ivy League schools (America) and The Russel Group Universities (The UK) and what they have in common.

  • Keep abreast of university/college application seasons and deadlines to ensure students do not

  • miss out.

  • Maintain a strong working knowledge of colleges and universities, which includes getting in touch

  • with them. Stay current on higher education changes.

  • Empower every student to discover their path by creating/using personal discovery assessment tasks.

  • Invite college admissions officers to visit the school (physically or virtually) and meet with students.

  • Educate families about college admissions and financial aid or scholarship possibilities.

  • Ensure students and their families understand the Pharo Foundation Scholarship Policy and the requirements for eligibility.

  • Share financial aid and scholarship information on a timely basis with students and families.

  • Keep up to date records regarding scholarships, financial aid and other awards given to students for school records.

  • Meet individually and in groups, with students and parents/guardians to explore and identify appropriate college options. Communicate regularly with counselees and store data/records for such sessions for easy follow-up.

  • Introduce students to a broad scope of college characteristics to focus on when choosing a college and encourage them to think beyond the name recognition, size and location.

  • Share with the students the Pharo Foundation list of global recommended universities/colleges. Encourage them to search for colleges where they will thrive and succeed using the college comparison worksheet to make choice easier – they should identify what is important to them; find a place where they will be happy.

  • Help students take ownership of their college process through guidance – they research and do

  • the application with your guidance.

  • Guide students in college applications.

  • During the application process, guide students to use The Pharo Foundation list of approved schools/universities. Any other college not in our list will need approval from the Head of college

  • preparation and career counselling.

  • Monitor individual student progress throughout the college application process.

  • Encourage students to contact colleges that interest them – write to schools and ask more information about their academic requirements and any programs or activities that they

  • (students) are interested in

  • Help students when decisions are in and students are ready to select from among their

  • acceptances.

  • Prepare supplementary materials to be sent to colleges.

  • Oversee that school credentials (transcripts, predicted grades, letters of recommendation etc.)

  • are sent to colleges.

  • Write recommendations – detailed letters of support for students and train faculty on how to write high quality letters of recommendation for students.

  • Ensure you understand the different language proficiency tests, how to access them, which each

  • region/college requires and advice students accordingly.

  • Give students ample information on studying abroad, including travel requirements.

  • Advise on internships/ work placement – summer jobs look good to prospective colleges and employers.

  • Pursue appropriate professional development, including attendance of the department -

  • organised training and workshops.

  • Serves as a general resource for students, parents, and teaching faculty regarding college

  • preparation, admission criteria and college data.

  • Should use provided content, work structures, and timelines as a guide but use initiative to

  • research and create level/grade/class appropriate information and activities.

  • Ensures students apply to the best-fit college, take the majors that interest them and all

  • preparations to get there are done in timely manner.

  • Has advantage on the school alumni program to enhance outcomes of the college guidance and

  • preparation process.

  • Any other duties assigned by the managers.

 


Skills and Qualifications

  • 1-2 years of work experience as a counsellor in an academic environment.

  • Knowledge of policies and procedures relating to international postsecondary admissions, registration, testing, and placement.

  • Skill in delivering classroom and public presentations.

  • Ability to assess and record student development, while identifying areas that need attention and

  • improvement.

  • Analytical thinker with strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.

  • Has an excellent command of the English Language along with clear and articulate pronunciation of good moral character: honest, trustworthy, and dependable.

  • Must be willing to work in Sheikh.

  • Familiarity with computers and other school technologies and software packages. Certificate in First Aid and/or CPR is an asset.

Behavioural Competencies

  • Self-assured, internally motivated, and passionate individual with outstanding communication

  • skills, driven to succeed and make a difference.

  • Must possess high levels of integrity, resilience, accountability, commitment and determination,

  • and willing to serve as an outstanding role model in the community. Detail-oriented with excellent time-management skills.

  • Experienced in working with schools that are mission driven for academic excellence and student

  • engagement.

  • Dedicated team player with demonstrable experience in problem solving. Ability to provide a safe, positive learning environment for students.

Salary and Benefits

The salary and benefits package is competitive and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Medical insurance is provided in accordance with The Pharo School’s Health policy

 

How to apply

This position is open to both female and male nationals from Somaliland. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application deadline is September 13, 2022

Review of applications will begin as soon as they are received and only complete applications will be considered. In the event that an outstanding applicant is identified early in the search process, we reserve the right to appoint them before the deadline. For this reason, we encourage interested candidates to apply at the earliest possible time. Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that we will only be able to contact short-listed candidates.

How to apply

Interested candidates, who meet the above requirements, should submit their application through email to Recruiting.SL@pharofoundation.org with the subject line “School College Counsellor

Requirement:

  1. A detailed CV and Cover letter to explain the experience you have gained that makes you believe that you are the most qualified candidate for the role.

  2. List of five (5) references with current email addresses and phone numbers.

  3. Copies of your qualifications.

  4. State on your application where you saw the advert for this position.