SCHOOL MANAGER
Job Description
JOB ADVERT
SCHOOL MANAGER
SOS Children’s Villages was established in Sierra Leone in 1974. We work with government and partners in communities to help families care for their children or to provide an alternative family for children who have no one to care for them, or who have lost parental care or are exposed to risks of neglect, abandonment, abuse and exploitation. Located in Freetown, Bo and Makeni, SOS Children’s Villages Sierra Leone has a wide range of programmes, in which the love of a caregiver is essential, to ensure children grow in a loving home and become their strongest selves.
Our Vision: Every child belongs to a family and grows up with love, respect and security.
Our Mission: We build families for children in need, we help them shape their own futures,
and we share in the development of their communities.
Our Values: Courage
Commitment
Trust
Accountability
Programmes include Alternative Care settings, Interim Care Centres, Youth care programmes that support more than 530 children and young people leaving in villages and in communities. In addition to quality care, we advocate for children, young people and women’s right, protection, safeguarding and empowerment. SOS Children’s Villages also provide quality education to over 4,000 students through its Herman Gmeiner International Schools, Kindergartens and Technical Vocational/ Employability and Entrepreneurship Training Centre in support of care-exit strategies and reintegration processes. Other projects include the Youth Innovation challenge & Youth-Can! which support young entrepreneurs with their businesses and young people on their quest to employment. The emergency programmes aid vulnerable families cope with the impact of COVID-19 and the economic downturn to prevent family separation.
SOS Children’s Villages in Sierra Leone is recruiting a qualified and experienced School Manager for our Freetown location who will provide overall leadership and oversight for all educational activities across the Kindergarten, Primary, and High School. The School Manager will supervise the Vice Principals of the three schools, ensure quality education delivery, promote financial sustainability, strengthen partnerships, and maintain high standards of discipline, safeguarding, and institutional reputation at the location level.
The School Manager will coordinate and supervise all educational activities across the Kindergarten, Primary, and Secondary Schools to ensure quality learning outcomes and operational efficiency.
S/he will represent the organisation in all education-related and stakeholder engagement matters at the location level, strengthening communication and public relations with key education stakeholders, government bodies, donors, and the wider community.
Promote financial sustainability of educational units through improved enrolment, effective fee collection, fundraising initiatives, and innovative income-generating activities.
S/he will lead innovation and continuous improvement in school operations, teaching practices, and service delivery to enhance overall institutional performance.
Lead the development and implementation of annual plans, budgets, school improvement strategies, and performance reports aligned with organisational priorities.
S/he will coordinate project development initiatives in collaboration with the IPD Coordinator, ensuring effective design, implementation, and monitoring of education-related projects.
Foster strategic partnerships and mobilise resources through fundraising and collaboration with donors, government institutions, private sector partners, and community stakeholders.
S/he will ensure high standards of academic quality, discipline, school culture, and institutional reputation across all schools.
Maintain effective coordination with the Children’s Village Manager and the Gender and Education Coordinator to align education goals with broader organisational priorities.
Supervise school financial management, including fees, revenues, and related processes, ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance.
S/he will ensure proper maintenance of school facilities, infrastructure, and learning environments to support a safe, functional, and conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning.
S/he will ensure safeguarding of children, staff, and organisational assets through strong child protection, risk management, and security practices.
Promote effective communication systems within the school structure and with external stakeholders to ensure timely information sharing and coordination.
Promote mentorship, continuous professional development, and regular training for teachers and educators through workshops, seminars, and coaching initiatives.
Required Skills and Competencies:
- High level of integrity, ethical judgment, and accountability.
- Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills (applicable in both educational and business environments).
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and reporting skills.
- Ability to manage teams, operations, and performance targets effectively in structured institutions or business settings.
- Strong interpersonal, leadership, and partnership-building skills.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Education Management, Educational Administration, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or a related field.
- A postgraduate qualification in Education Management, Leadership, Business Administration, or a related discipline will be an added advantage.
- At least five (5) years of relevant professional experience in school administration, educational leadership, or successful private sector/business management operations.
- Proven experience in managing teams, operations, and organizational performance in either an educational institution or business environment.
- Strong planning, budgeting, reporting, and coordination skills.
- Experience in supervising teams and managing institutional or business programmes/projects.
- Good understanding of safeguarding, compliance, quality assurance, or operational standards (education or corporate context).
WORK CONDITIONS
STARTING DATE: 1st June 2026
DURATION OF CONTRACT: One year with a possibility of an extension based on
performance and/or availability of funding
REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS: According to profile
LOCATION: Freetown
To apply submit a letter of interest, with Curriculum Vitae, photocopy of certificates, and three (3) professional references with at least one (1) from a direct supervisor, by email only to apply.sl@sossierraleone.org Please indicate in the subject line the position, the location and the subject area desired, for example: “School Manager”.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
Closing date for the submission of applications is Thursday 7th May, 2026
Only the successful candidates will be contacted.
In accordance with the organisation’s child protection policy, all employment is subject to applicable background checks, including criminal record checks (police clearance).
What We Stand For:
SOS Children’s Villages is committed to creating and maintaining a caring and protective environment, which promotes its core values, and prevents and addresses child abuse and exploitation. We strongly condemn all forms of child abuse and exploitation, be it within or outside of our organisation, and always respond to any case of proven, alleged or attempted abuse within our sphere of influence according to its nature. Efforts ensure that mechanisms are in place to raise awareness, aid prevention, encourage reporting and ease response. They range from human resource development actions such as training and counselling to measures such as suspension, dismissal, and legal action.
