Director
American School of Antananarivo (Madagascar)

Antananarivo, Madagascar

SEEKS A DIRECTOR

EFFECTIVE AUGUST 2025

The American School of Antananarivo (ASA) was founded in September 1969 as an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational day school.

In March 2013, ASA became an IB School and was authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer the Primary Years Program. In 2018, ASA was authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer the Diploma Program. By August 2024, it aims to have completed the authorization process to provide the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program.

ASA has been a member of the Global Citizenship Diploma Consortium since 2022, and the first cohort to gain the Global Citizenship Diploma will be in 2027.

ASA has been fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges since 1992. The next re-accreditation visit is due in 2027.

COMMUNITY

ASA is a highly diverse international school that serves 260 K - Grade 12 students from across the globe. ASA is a U.S. Department of State assisted school and provides an American-style education in English to dependents of U.S. Department of State employees, multiple NGOs and international development agencies working in Madagascar.  The student population is made up of approximately 16% Americans, 17% Malagasy, 14% French and the remaining 53% represent 27 other nationalities.

FACULTY AND SUPPORT STAFF

In the 2023-2024 school year, 36 faculty members teach at ASA with a support staff of 40, including divisional principals, the operations team and learning assistants. Our faculty are intentionally diverse and international, with a broad range of experience in international schools around the world and represent over ten nationalities. All faculty members are certified or hold postgraduate degrees in education. All are trained in the appropriate IB program; approximately 50% hold a Master's degree in Education.

GOVERNANCE

As an independent, not-for-profit school, ASA is owned by parents who are represented by the Board of Trustees. The Board consists of six elected members and one member appointed by the U.S. Ambassador. Elections are held by the ASA Association. Membership in the Association is automatically conferred on parents of children enrolled in ASA and on the ASA faculty.

The Board hires, supports, and evaluates the Director of ASA, who serves as the Association's Chief Executive Officer. The Board provides long-term strategic direction for ASA as an internationally accredited school and ensures the long-term sustainability of ASA’s finances and facilities.

CAMPUS

In 2017, ASA moved to its current location on a three-acre campus in Lotissement Le Park Alarobia. The campus features innovative and flexible learning spaces, state-of-the-art science labs, a performing arts hall, a makerspace, digital design, and multiple sports venues.

LIFE IN ANTANANARIVO

ASA and Antananarivo in general, has a close, friendly and supportive community. The city has an enviable climate and there is access to beautiful nature, beaches, and national parks throughout the country. It is easy to access nature, to go walking, running or cycling from the area where the teacher housing is located.

There are varied travel opportunities within the country to experience unique flora and fauna. Internal flights are available but can be expensive and roads are generally in poor condition. Madagascar suits people who enjoy nature and the outdoors.

Daily items are readily available at international supermarkets. There is also a range of good and inexpensive local restaurants in town.

It is affordable to hire home help which makes it a great place to live with a young family. 

This cost of living comparison tool can be helpful for potential candidates to compare the cost of living in Antananarivo to their current home city.

IDENTIFIED PRIORITIES

The ASA Board and school community has identified the following as priorities for the next Director to focus on during their first year at the school:

• Work in collaboration with the Board to develop/update the current strategic plan.
• Lead the MSA self-study (2026) to prepare for the 2027 accreditation visit while also continuing to explore the possibility of seeking CIS accreditation.
• Grow enrollment while maintaining the integrity of the educational program­s.
• Further develop community well-being by operationalizing DEIJ and inclusion policies and build on the work that has been done in these areas.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & ATTRIBUTES

• A Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership or similar with a minimum of five years of senior leadership experience in an internationally accredited school.
• A visionary leader, who can champion ASA’s vision, mission, and values.
• A knowledgeable, open-minded, principled leader, who will lead by example.
• An excellent listener and communicator with all constituent groups and the wider community.
• A demonstrated highly developed intercultural competency and understanding of diverse cultural and international backgrounds and has experience working with multicultural communities.
• An interest in, and appreciation of, Malagasy culture.
• Strong financial leadership competence and the ability to balance school growth with tight fiscal management.
• Experience working closely with a Board or governing body to implement policies and decisions.
• Experience successfully implementing and embedding the IB programs.
• The ability to ensure the school's mission, values, practices and policies align with the concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging.
• Experience building organizational structures and systems to improve collaboration and have a positive impact on the learning environment.
• Experience recruiting and retaining high quality international and local teachers.
• Adept at curriculum management and teacher supervision, with the ability to successfully supervise the leadership team in effective pedagogy and practice.

* Please note that applicants need to be under the age of 60 for the school to be able to obtain a work permit for them.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• 3+ years of experience as Head of School in an international setting in a developing country or challenging environment
• International school accreditation experience
• The ability to speak French

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

ASA has selected Search Associates to assist them in the Director search, with Caroline Jacoby as the Lead Consultant.

Please note that candidates will not be forwarded-on for further consideration by the school if a candidate is under contract or otherwise encumbered in such a way that would preclude them from freely entering a new employment contract, if offered, and being available for the start date stipulated by the hiring organization. Search Associates will contact the current employer/supervisor to request completion of a Search Associates Confidential Leadership Reference Form for all applicants who emerge in the search as a semi-finalist.

Candidates are asked to submit a letter of interest and the required materials as early as possible as ASA reserves the right to close the selection process AT ANY TIME if the right candidate is found. The review of applications begins as applications are received. ASA plans to hold onsite visits for the finalists in September 2024 and make an appointment in October.

Suitably qualified candidates should send the information listed below in a single PDF file attached to an email to Caroline Jacoby at cjacoby@searchassociates.com to arrive as soon as possible, and no later than August 1^st, 2024 GMT.

The application should include:

• A letter of application describing your interest in the Director position at ASA, outlining your strengths as a candidate and how your qualifications and experience align with the position profile and the school’s identified priorities.
• A current resume not to exceed two (2) pages.
• A one (1) page list of four (4) referees who have been your direct supervisors, with current email addresses and phone numbers.
• A statement describing your leadership and educational philosophy, not to exceed two (2) pages.

For additional information about the American School of Antananarivo, please visit the school website at – www.asamadagascar.org