Overview
NORDIC SCHOOL DIRECTOR Jobs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania at Career Options Ltd
Title: NORDIC SCHOOL DIRECTOR
Company: Career Options Ltd
Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
CAREER OPTIONS AFRICA GROUP
NORDIC SCHOOL DIRECTOR – TANZANIA
Our client, a pre-school based in Dar Es Salaam for children from one year of age up to the last year before primary school, is actively seeking a Nordic School Director to join their team in Tanzania.
THE JOB
The Director will guide the school in regulatory compliance, finance and administration, while working with a Head of Education specialized in Nordic pedagogy on maintaining and further developing pedagogical excellence. The Director is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and sustainability of the school in accordance with its vision, mission, principles, and values as established in the constitution, pedagogical framework (curriculum), and decisions of the General Assembly and the Board. S/he delegates responsibilities to the Head of Education (HoE) and school’s administrative officer, through their respective terms of reference as well as other means, but retains overall accountability. The Director oversees and works in close partnership with the Head of Education (HoE), who has delegated responsibility for pedagogical leadership, curriculum, teaching, learning, and child development, while maintaining alignment with the Nordic educational values.
MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
1. Strategic Leadership & Vision
· Lead the development and implementation of the School’s strategic plan in alignment with the School’s mission, values, and long-term goals
· Ensure alignment between educational goals, strategic orientation and operational capacity
· Translate strategy into clear operational priorities and measurable outcomes
· Ensure the school is well-positioned for growth, reputation, and sustainability
· Provide leadership during change, expansion, or restructuring as required
2. Governance & Compliance
· Act as the primary liaison between the Board and the Trustees
· Ensure compliance with all applicable legal, regulatory, legal, safeguarding, and reporting requirements including tax status and registration
· Develop and maintain internal policies, procedures, guidelines and systems as approved by the Board and ensure compliance throughout the organization. This includes, but is not limited to HR, procurement, safeguarding, etc.
· Ensure that audit recommendations and other compliance findings are addressed systematically, with appropriate escalation and reporting to the Board and Trustees
· Maintain an issues tracker for audit management letters and other governance findings, define corrective actions, assign responsibilities, and report progress to the Board and Trustees until closure
3. Finance
a. Running Operations
· Hold overall accountability for income and expenditure in accordance with the budget approved by the General Assembly
· Ensure effective financial controls and reporting; establish and maintain a request-to-pay process with clear segregation of duties between requesters (e.g., Kitchen or Education), the administration officer, and the Director (documentation checks, approvals, and payment release)
· Ensure that all procurement requests are documented (purchase request, quotations/justification as applicable) and reviewed by the administration officer prior to Director approval
· Approve commitments and verify that supporting documentation is complete before authorising purchases, contracts, and supplier payments
· Release payments (bank transfer and petty cash) only against approved documentation and confirmed receipt/acceptance of goods and services
· Ensure that the requester and the administration officer confirm the quality and completeness of delivered goods/services; sign off that this confirmation has been reviewed
· Conduct a monthly sample-based review of expenditure items and supporting documentation, record findings, and ensure timely corrective action
b. Other Financial Duties
· Ensure the timely and complete preparation the annual financial and operational report for the Annual General Meeting (AGM)
· Ensure that the school’s annual budget is prepared, monitored, and updated on a regular basis
· Ensure that an annual audit is conducted and completed within three months of the end of the fiscal year. Lead the internal preparations and proactively engage with auditors. Ensure the management letter is reviewed with the Board, and take accountability for implementing and tracking audit recommendations to closure (involving the Board and Trustees as needed)
4. Human Resources (HR)
· Developing and overseeing staffing strategy and organisational structure
· Ensuring effective appraisal and performance management frameworks are in place
· Ensure a structured professional development process is in place for all employees of the school
· Ensuring compliance with labour law, safeguarding, and regulatory requirements.
· Organize a process of regular exchange between management and staff
· Recruiting, appointing, and terminating staff in consultation with at least one Board member and, in the case of teaching staff, the Head of Education, and in accordance with applicable law and internal procedures
· Ensure that appointment processes of expatriate teachers is compliant with Tanzanian laws and regulations and that the school obtains work permits for expat teachers
5. Administration
· Participate in Board meetings and report to the Board about the activities and management of the School
· Make sure that decisions taken by the Board are implemented
· Ensure that the school’s administrative systems function efficiently and professionally
· Be the School’s “face outward” and reply to correspondence directed to the school in any other matter that is not a responsibility of the HoE
· Prepare the yearly school calendar, together with the HoE, and present it to the Board
· Oversee admissions processes in accordance with Board-approved guidelines
· Ensure student registers and enrolment lists are kept updated for invoicing and reporting purposes
· Apply for state grants from the Swedish National Agency for Education for supplementary Swedish classes, if applicable
· Ensure the functioning of the Nordic School sports club, the Nordic House and other activities under the School
6. Security, Safety, and Working Environment
· Ensure that the school is a safe and secure environment for children and staff
· Ensure that safety routines are established, documented, and implemented
· Ensure staff are trained in relevant safety procedures, including fire safety, first aid, and emergency protocols
· Organise first aid and fire safety training once per school year for all staff members
7. Maintenance & Facilities
· Ensure that maintenance of school buildings and pedagogical inventory is assessed, planned, and carried out as agreed with the Board
· Lead the planning and following up on larger maintenance projects, particularly during school holidays
8. Public Relations
· Act as a representative of the school in external relations
· Plan and organise open days, school tours, and promotional activities together with the HoE
· Oversee the School’s webpage and social media presence to ensure accurate and relevant information is published by the HoE
· Protect and enhance the school’s reputation
QUALIFICATIONS
The job holder should have the following qualifications.
· A Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development, or elementary education or a related field from a recognized university AND a minimum of 5 years teaching as well as 5 years in a school management position OR a Bacherlor’s degree in business administration, public administration, finance or a related field from a recognized university AND at least 10 years of experience in an education organization
· Valid registration (or eligibility for registration) with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) in Tanzania.
· Strong familiarity with international frameworks such as Nordic pedagogical approach, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP), or Montessori methods.
THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB
The ideal candidate should possess the following skills and competencies.
· Governance & Reporting: preparing comprehensive administrative reports for Board of Parents and Trustees, ensuring transparency in both financial and operational performance.
· School regulatory management: liaising with Government oversight bodies (e.g. MOEST, TAMISEMI, TIE) on school registrations, inspections, and academic standards.
· Financial regulatory management: managing school budgets, overseeing fee collection processes, and ensuring compliance with the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), including EFD management and statutory deductions.
· Human Resources & Immigration: familiarity with the Tanzania Labour Laws and experience assisting with the administrative requirements for Work and Residence Permits for expatriate staff members.
· Operational Administration: managing the WCF, NSSF/PSSSF contributions, and ensuring the school meets OSHA and Fire Safety standards.
WHAT WE ARE OFFERING THE RIGHT PERSON
We are offering the successful candidate a monthly basic salary of up to 6.5 million Tanzania shillings.
HOW TO APPLY
Visit www.careeroptionsafricagroup.com and www.hreastafrica.com for more details on this position.
Send CV only to [email protected] by 30th June 2026 subject heading, as NORDIC SCHOOL DIRECTOR However, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and qualified candidates called for an interview as soon as their CVs are received.
