The International Community School of Addis Ababa invites applications for the Interim Middle School Principal position for the 2026 to 2027 school year, beginning August 2026.

This is a senior leadership role within a well-established IB World School. The Interim Middle School Principal serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and plays an important role in supporting whole school priorities, ensuring alignment across divisions, and strengthening a coherent PYP to MYP to DP and CP continuum during the 2026 to 2027 school year.

We are seeking an experienced and committed instructional leader to lead teaching and learning in the Middle School on an interim basis. The successful candidate will bring strong instructional leadership experience, a clear understanding of middle years education, and the ability to support faculty and staff in delivering high-quality student outcomes. This role requires a collaborative leader who can build relationships quickly, maintain continuity, and support a positive and inclusive school culture.

About International Community School (ICS): 

Founded in 1964, the International Community School of Addis Ababa (ICS Addis) is a non-profit International Baccalaureate (IB) World School serving students from Early Years 3 through Grade 12. ICS serves a diverse community representing more than 80 nationalities and is committed to providing a holistic, inclusive, and academically rigorous education that develops students’ talents, character, and intellect while fostering global citizenship and community wellness.

ICS offers the full IB continuum, including the 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 learning experiences. The school is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Middle States Association (MSA). It is a proud member of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA). Located on a modern green campus in the heart of Addis Ababa, ICS provides high-quality learning spaces and resources that support inquiry, creativity, and innovation.

ICS operates as a Professional Learning Community (PLC) and places strong emphasis on collaborative practice. Educators work together around four guiding questions: what students need to learn, how learning will be measured, how to respond when students need additional support, and how to extend learning for those ready to go further. Guided by supportive leadership and a culture of continuous professional growth, ICS invests in staff development and shared leadership practices.

ICS values student and parent voice and celebrates cultural diversity. The school community is guided by a shared commitment to respect and responsibility through the ICS Way: taking care of self, taking care of others, and taking care of the school environment.

Our Vision
To be our best with Africa and our world.

Our Mission
To nurture the talents, character, and intellect of all learners, empowering them to excel and be positive contributors in their world.

For more information about ICS Addis Ababa, please visit www.icsaddis.org.

FACILITIES: The School is located on an attractive 15-acre campus in the Old Airport suburb on the southern side of Addis Ababa. Descriptions and photos of our facilities and plans for additional facilities are available on the ICS Addis website. We are a warm and inclusive community that celebrates a deep connection with our host country. Our school is an oasis in the heart of Ethiopia’s capital, flourishing with natural plant life and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and learning resources, as well as unique opportunities to gain real-life experience beyond the classroom. 

THE ROLE

The Interim Middle School Principal leads academic programming, student well-being, and staff performance within the Middle School Grades 6 to 8 of the IB Middle Years Programme in close collaboration with the High School. The successful candidate will support continuity of learning, maintain program quality, and strengthen professional collaboration during the interim appointment.

The successful candidate will bring a strong instructional leadership background, a clear vision for middle years education, and the ability to inspire faculty and staff to deliver high-quality student outcomes. This role requires a collaborative leader who can build strong relationships, support professional growth, and strengthen a positive, inclusive school culture. In partnership with the High School Principal, the primary emphasis of this position is the development of a unified and coherent curriculum throughout the MYP.

Key areas of leadership include:

• Strategic contribution to school-wide planning and continuous improvement

• High-quality implementation of the IB MYP framework

• Supervision, support, and evaluation of faculty

• Data-informed improvement of student outcomes

• Oversight of advisory and social-emotional learning programs

• Oversight of the Middle School master schedule to prioritize student learning and effective use of faculty time

• Support of accreditation and IB evaluation processes

•  Engagement with parents and the broader community

The Candidate

We seek an experienced and principled educational leader who brings:

• A Master’s degree in Education or Educational Leadership

• Valid administrative certification

• IB MYP training and experience

• At least five years of school leadership experience

• At least five years of successful secondary teaching experience

•  Demonstrated experience overseeing a divisional master schedule

• Experience in an IB World School or international school setting

The ideal candidate is a leader of learning who:

• Coaches and develops teachers effectively

• Uses data to drive improvement

• Leads with clarity and consistency

• Builds a strong professional culture

• Thrives in diverse international communities

Why Join ICS?  

At ICS, you will be part of a supportive and innovative community that values professional growth, diversity, and excellence in education. We offer competitive compensation, ongoing professional development opportunities, and a collaborative work environment focused on student success.

Contract and Compensation

This is a one-year interim appointment for the 2026 to 2027 school year. The administrator's salary and benefits package is internationally competitive and will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. Benefits include furnished housing, overseas hire allowance, retirement contribution, utility allowance, professional learning opportunities, laptop reimbursement, school vehicle with fuel allowance, international family health insurance, disability and life insurance, annual home leave, shipping and settling in allowance, and free tuition for school-age dependents.

The administrator contract is for 207 days and shall be entitled to holidays established annually for the school, less than 15 days, where the administrator is expected to be on duty. Other types of leave include professional leave, sick leave, and bereavement leave.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and qualified candidates should complete the online application form on our website portal and attach a single PDF file. Do not apply directly to the Head of School.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Questions should be addressed to recruitment@icsaddis.org

As part of the online application, candidates should upload the information requested below in a single PDF packet:

• A letter of application describing your interest in the Middle School Principal position at ICS, listing your strengths as a candidate and how your qualifications and experience align with the position profile and the school’s areas of focus. 

• A current resume, not to exceed two pages.

• A one (1) page list of four (4) references who have been your direct supervisors, with current email addresses. 

ICS takes safeguarding children very seriously. All staff are subject to rigorous background checks, and the interview process includes safeguarding and professional conduct expectations.

Candidates are asked to submit the required materials as early as possible, as ICS 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. Candidates should send the information listed below as a single PDF (maximum document size 4 MB) attached to an email.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

A comprehensive job description for the MS Principal is available for download here.