PYP Coordinator at Aga Khan Academy

The position

• The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa is an International Baccalaureate World School. It is the first in the network of Aga Khan Academies established by His Highness the Aga Khan. 
• The Academy features state-of-the-art facilities, a multicultural student body, and an experienced team of educators and staff. We provide students with education of the highest standard in order to prepare them for lives characterised by leadership and service. Admission to the Academy is means-blind and is based on merit. We consider all eligible students regardless of socio-economic status.
• We are seeking a reflective, dynamic and pedagogically strong PYP Coordinator to join our Junior School Leadership Team. This is a key middle leadership role responsible for leading the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the IB Primary Years Programme, ensuring high-quality teaching and learning across the school. In collaboration with the Junior School Principal and Student Support Coordinator, the PYP Coordinator ensures that student learning remains at the centre of all decision-making, while maintaining fidelity to IB philosophy, standards and practices.

Key Responsibilities

Programme & Curriculum Leadership (Core Responsibility)

• Lead the planning, implementation, monitoring and ongoing development of the PYP programme
• Oversee and continuously refine the Programme of Inquiry (POI) to ensure:
  • vertical and horizontal alignment
  • conceptual depth and transdisciplinary coherence
• Ensure the written, taught and assessed curriculum are aligned and documented
• Monitor the impact of the programme on student learning and outcomes, using data to inform improvement
• Ensure the programme reflects:
  • inquiry-based learning
  • student agency
  • the IB Learner Profile

Pedagogical Leadership & Teacher Development

• Provide pedagogical leadership across the programme, modelling and promoting best practice in inquiry-based learning
• Coach and support teachers in:
  • planning
  • assessment
  • differentiation
• Lead collaborative planning and reflection cycles
• Design and facilitate ongoing professional development, including IB-mandated training
• Support the induction of new staff into the PYP

IB Programme Implementation & Compliance

• Ensure the school meets all IB standards and practices
• Lead processes related to:
  • IB authorization and evaluation
  • programme review and action planning
• Act as the primary liaison between the school and the IB

Collaboration & Professional Culture

• Lead a culture of collaborative planning, professional inquiry and reflective practice
• Ensure teachers access and effectively use IB frameworks, documentation and professional learning communities
• Promote ongoing collaboration across year levels to ensure coherence, consistency and continuous improvement

Community & Communication

• Communicate effectively with parents and the wider community about the PYP programme
• Lead and support key learning events (e.g. exhibitions, learning journeys)

Leadership & School Development

• Contribute as a member of the Junior School Leadership Team
• Support the development of the school’s mission, vision and strategic priorities
• Lead and support whole-school initiatives related to teaching and learning

Operational Responsibilities (Supporting Role)

• Support the organisation of school systems, including:
  • timetabling
  • events
  • staffing logistics

The requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and recognised teaching qualification
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in an inquiry-based or IB setting
• Experience in a leadership or coordination role
• Strong understanding of:
  • PYP framework
  • inquiry-based pedagogy
  • assessment for learning
• IB training and/or IBEN experience (preferred)
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and drive pedagogical improvement