About Ekisa

Ekisa is a Christian ministry, U.S. registered 501c3 and Ugandan NGO working in Jinja, Uganda for children having special needs and disabilities.

Primary purpose and function

The Managing Director provides operational and administrative leadership for Ekisa Academy, running the school’s day-to-day operations, staffing, and systems so that students and staff can thrive. This role works in close partnership with the Director of Studies, who leads academics, curriculum, IEPs, and lesson planning; together they train and equip the school’s staff.

Reports to

Associate Programs Director & Executive Director

Supervisory relationships

Director of Studies, School Therapy Team, Deputy Head, Welfare Officer, and School Social Worker

Classification of personnel

Full-time

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Provide leadership, vision, and motivation to the teaching team at Ekisa Academy.
• Participate in Ekisa Management Team Meetings, Programs Meeting, and Senior Director meetings as an advocate for the school, while contributing to the overall vision and mission of the organisation
• Partner with the Director of Studies to align academic and operational priorities across the school
• Set and track progress toward strategic goals and maintain detailed record-keeping of these targets

Staff Management

• Regularly meet with the Director of Studies, School Therapy Team, and School Social Worker
• Manage personnel issues
• Ensure and support the above supervised staff in completing evaluations of teachers, TAs, and support staff.
• Interview candidates for vacant positions within the teaching team and provide or facilitate induction onboarding along with the HR Manager.
• Facilitate the process of interviewing, accepting, and overseeing work for school volunteers and interns.

Staff Development

• Partner with the Director of Studies to coordinate internal (for Ekisa staff) and external (for other organizations) Special Education training, working closely with the Training & Equipping Department.
• Facilitate regular staff meetings, training for teachers, and team-building activities throughout the year.

Operations & Administration

• Determine and oversee policies and procedures for staff
• Oversee the budget for Ekisa Academy through meetings and decisions on staff, equipment, and resources needed to operate efficiently and effectively.
• Determine acceptance and waitlisted school admissions, while managing class allocation.
• Manage campus visits and school tours from outside visitors.

Collaboration

• Coordinate with the residential team and other departments (medical, social work, therapy) for at-risk student cases.
• Promote special education and inclusion with other NGO’s and schools, and consult on higher-level concerns that may occur.

Necessary Skills

• Servant leadership, able to lead holistically and help staff develop
• Highly organised and detail-oriented.
• Good communication and problem-solving skills
• Ability to respond and assist during emergencies
• Strong leadership and social skills and the ability to relate to people from different situations (e.g., social workers, expatriate staff, local teaching assistants, and parents)
• Strong operational and administrative skills, including budgeting and financial management
• Ability to build and scale systems and processes to support the school’s growth
• An ideal team player: humble, hungry, and people-smart
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy and confidentiality
• Computer skills including: Office and Google Suite
• High level of integrity

Minimum requirements

• Experience/knowledge working with children with additional needs
• School administration or operations management experience
• Experience managing or developing teams, particularly in a growing organisation
• A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field
• Behave both in professional and private life that is exemplary and aligned with the Ekisa Ministries Code of Conduct
• Minimum 3-year commitment

Salary

Ekisa’s Missionary/Expat staff are salaried employees but also are expected to fundraise to offset a portion of their salary.

• Provide leadership, vision, and motivation to the teaching team at Ekisa Academy.
• Participate in Ekisa Management Team Meetings, Programs Meeting, and Senior Director meetings as an advocate for the school, while contributing to the overall vision and mission of the organisation
• Partner with the Director of Studies to align academic and operational priorities across the school
• Set and track progress toward strategic goals and maintain detailed record-keeping of these targets
• Regularly meet with the Director of Studies, School Therapy Team, and School Social Worker
• Manage personnel issues
• Ensure and support the above supervised staff in completing evaluations of teachers, TAs, and support staff.
• Interview candidates for vacant positions within the teaching team and provide or facilitate induction onboarding along with the HR Manager.
• Facilitate the process of interviewing, accepting, and overseeing work for school volunteers and interns.
• Partner with the Director of Studies to coordinate internal (for Ekisa staff) and external (for other organizations) Special Education training, working closely with the Training & Equipping Department.
• Facilitate regular staff meetings, training for teachers, and team-building activities throughout the year.
• Determine and oversee policies and procedures for staff
• Oversee the budget for Ekisa Academy through meetings and decisions on staff, equipment, and resources needed to operate efficiently and effectively.
• Determine acceptance and waitlisted school admissions, while managing class allocation.
• Manage campus visits and school tours from outside visitors.
• Coordinate with the residential team and other departments (medical, social work, therapy) for at-risk student cases.
• Promote special education and inclusion with other NGO’s and schools, and consult on higher-level concerns that may occur.

• Servant leadership, able to lead holistically and help staff develop
• Highly organised and detail-oriented.
• Good communication and problem-solving skills
• Ability to respond and assist during emergencies
• Strong leadership and social skills and the ability to relate to people from different situations (e.g., social workers, expatriate staff, local teaching assistants, and parents)
• Strong operational and administrative skills, including budgeting and financial management
• Ability to build and scale systems and processes to support the school’s growth
• An ideal team player: humble, hungry, and people-smart
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy and confidentiality
• Computer skills including: Office and Google Suite
• High level of integrity

• Experience/knowledge working with children with additional needs
• School administration or operations management experience
• Experience managing or developing teams, particularly in a growing organisation
• A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field
• Behave both in professional and private life that is exemplary and aligned with the Ekisa Ministries Code of Conduct
• Minimum 3-year commitment