Position Description

ES Primary Years Programme (PYP) Coordinator
Location ICS Addis Ababa
Employment Duration Full time
Job Status Definite
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School Overview

Founded in 1964, the International Community School of Addis Ababa (ICS Addis) is a premier, non-profit International Baccalaureate (IB) World School serving students from Early Years 3 through Grade 12. With a diverse student body representing more than 80 nations and faculty from around the world, ICS delivers a holistic, inclusive, and innovative education that nurtures talents, character, and intellect while fostering global citizenship and community wellness.

ICS offers the full IB continuum—Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Career-related Programme (CP), and Diploma Programme (DP)—supported by personalized learning pathways and authentic, real-world application of knowledge. Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Middle States Association (MSA), and a proud member of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA), ICS is committed to academic excellence and the personal well-being of every learner.

Located on a modern, green campus in the heart of Ethiopia’s capital, ICS provides state-of-the-art learning spaces and resources that inspire inquiry, creativity, and lifelong learning. As a model Professional Learning Community (PLC) school, ICS educators collaborate around four guiding questions:

  • What do we want students to know, understand, and be able to do?

  • How will we know they know it?

  • What will we do if they don’t know it?

  • What will we do if they already know it?

Guided by exceptionally supportive leadership and a strong culture of continuous professional growth, ICS Addis Ababa empowers students to excel academically and thrive as positive contributors to an ever-changing world. Led by Head of School Earl Chamberlin, ICS fosters a thriving community that deeply values the professional development of its teachers, offering a wide range of growth opportunities both individually and through Professional Learning Communities (PLCs).

For more information, visit www.icsaddis.org.

Elementary School Program

The Elementary School at ICS Addis currently serves about 550 students from early childhood to grade five. Our program is based on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) with an emphasis on personalized, differentiated education. We focus on concept-based learning when planning interdisciplinary units of inquiry using the PYP unit planning approach. Inclusion of all students is paramount, and we ensure the success of our students by identifying and meeting their individual needs through the use of data-driven instruction. We subscribe to the multi-tiered Response to Intervention (RtI) model to customize learning for our students. Teachers are provided time to meet daily in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to collaboratively plan units and common formative assessments, to monitor student growth, and to structure interventions and extensions. We maintain ongoing contact with parents and share student progress through our online virtual learning environment, Toddle, and through goal-setting and student-led conferences. Our social, emotional, and behavioral expectations are derived from the Responsive Classroom framework, the IB Learning Profile, and the ICS Way, which together exemplify the type of individuals we are nurturing here at ICS.

Position Description: Primary Years Programme (PYP) Coordinator

ICS Addis is seeking an experienced and qualified IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) Coordinator to join the Elementary School leadership team. The successful candidate will lead the implementation and ongoing development of the PYP, ensuring alignment with IB standards and best practices while supporting high-quality teaching and learning across all grade levels. This role serves as the primary liaison with the IB Organization, overseeing programme administration, compliance, and preparation for authorization or evaluation visits. The PYP Coordinator will work closely with school leadership and teaching teams to review and develop the curriculum, coordinate assessment practices, foster inquiry-based learning, and organize professional development opportunities that strengthen teachers’ understanding of IB methodologies. The role also involves monitoring student learning outcomes, guiding continuous improvement initiatives, and communicating programme expectations effectively to staff, students, and parents. Applicants must hold a recognized teaching qualification, have completed IB PYP workshops, and bring a minimum of five years of teaching experience with demonstrated success in curriculum leadership or programme coordination. A Master’s degree in Education or a related field is preferred. Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills, as well as a commitment to international-mindedness and student-centered learning, are essential.
 

How to apply

As part of the online application, please upload a single PDF packet which includes the following:

  • A letter of interest explaining your strengths and why you think you are a good match for the position and our school.
  • A current résumé.

  • A list of at least four recent referees should be submitted. Contact information should include the following details: name, position, current email address, mobile/office phone numbers, and current (or anticipated) time zone. 

     

ICS Addis will respond briefly to all applications received via this portal. Highly qualified candidates may be interviewed as applications are received. ICS reserves the right to make an appointment before the deadline if an outstanding applicant is identified early in the search process. 

ICS takes safeguarding children very seriously, and all staff will be subject to rigorous checks, and the interview process will include safeguarding and staff conduct.

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