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Assistant Head of Academic Development

ApplyUWC Dilijan (Armenia)

Job title: Assistant Head of Academic Development

Location: UWC Dilijan, Dilijan, Armenia

Working pattern: Full-timeDuration of contract: Fixed-term contract

Application deadline:  6 February 2026

Start date: 1 August 2026

Enquiries: careers@uwcdilijan.am

View other vacancies at UWC Dilijan

UWC Dilijan – one of the 18 United World Colleges – is an intentionally diverse international boarding school in Armenia. It first opened its doors in August 2014 and now has more than 220 students (16 to 18 years old) from 70 countries, studying for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.

We believe that education is “a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future” (UWC Mission Statement). We are a caring learning community that aims to support the intellectual, moral, emotional, social, spiritual and physical development of our students following the UWC educational principles and values.

UWC Dilijan is also part of a wider network of organisations that work to transform Armenia, such as the IDeA Foundation, the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, and the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology.

UWC Dilijan is looking for an experienced and committed Assistant Head of Academic Development, reporting to the Head of School.

The Assistant Head of Academic Development (AHAD) works closely with the Head of School in all aspects of school life, advising and supporting him, representing his views both internally and externally as an ambassador for the school. The AHAD reports to the Head of School. The AHAD is a member of the Pedagogical Leadership Team and collaborates closely with the Assistant Head Pastoral and the Assistant Head of DP Programme.

The AHAD should embody our UWC values, using the aims of UWC Dilijan as the guiding principles when decisions are made. The AHAD endeavours to be seen as a role model by the whole community, giving a lead in personal values, development and aspirations. Participation as a classroom teacher, activity leader and involvement in residential life are integral to this. The approach should always be supportive, consultative and, as far as possible, democratic in the spirit of a liberal educational institution, taking into account requirements for the safety and well-being of members of a close-knit residential community and the smooth running and continuity of a complex organisation. A deep understanding of the needs of young people from diverse cultures and backgrounds underpins all that the AHAD does.

To perform the AHAD role to the full, it is necessary to pay attention to the current needs of the School while also being up-to-date in developments and research relevant to education in its widest sense, including, for example, advancements in psychology, neuroscience and technology, and being abreast of the global context within which we live.

Responsibilities

• Promote a culture of high-quality teaching and learning in all areas of our learning programme inside and outside the classroom.
• Inform, guide and support all students in their studies, choices and educational development, working closely with the Assistant Head DP, the University and Careers Counsellor, the mentors and the Toon teams (residential life - Toon means home in Armenian).
• Support and advise all staff, through Heads of Department and others in middle-management, in their endeavours in support of all learning activity․
• Lead the implementation of an appraisal system for academic staff, in collaboration with the pedagogical leadership team
• Encourage and celebrate student and staff activity as appropriate
• Approve the request for leave from students and academic staff
• Approve requests for academic trips
• As appropriate, approve the POs of Academic HODs
• Oversee the design, implementation and review of the induction programme for new students and academic staff
• Oversee the implementation of the educational curriculum, ensuring it is comprehensive, balanced, and challenging.
• As appropriate, co-chair staff meetings
• Lead Health and Safety Coordinator
• Lead mentors
• Oversee the work of the University and Career Counsellor
• Organise meetings with parents
• Oversee the completion and publication of report cards
• Ensure that the library is an inviting hub of learning (both physical and virtual)
• Together with the Assistant Head DP, design, implement, monitor and review a Professional Development Plan for teaching staff and assistants, in conjunction with the Chief Operations Officer, to ensure that each has a development path that matches a suitable career plan
• Draft, implement, monitor and review School non-IB-related academic policies
• Introduce appropriate restorative practices and disciplinary measures, through consultation where necessary, in cases where staff do not meet the School’s professional expectations.
• Supervise and guide the Student Council
• Ensure that the school calendar is up to date and that the distribution of events is reasonable and practical
• Perform other duties as the Head of School may reasonably request.

Skills and preferred experience

The list below is offered as an indication of our expectations. We are aware that we all follow our own personal paths and have our own strengths and weaknesses. Please do contact us at careers@uwcdilijan.am if you have any questions about these:

• Excellent English communicative skills, including the ability to present complex ideas in an accessible manner.
• A caring and approachable personality with a calm and balanced demeanour.
• A passionate and intellectual commitment to the holistic development of youth.
• An appetite for inter-cultural connections and for engagement with the local Armenian community
• The ability to operate effectively as an individual and in different functional teams, both when taking the lead and when being led.
• The ability to delegate.
• The ability to lead by example as a role-model for other members of our community, showing personal appreciation of humanitarian, intellectual, cultural, creative and physical pursuits.
• A sense of humour, the ability to put things into perspective and a sense of fun.
• Previous involvement in both the International Baccalaureate and the Council of International Schools (as an examiner, workshop leader, visiting team member, etc.) would be an advantage.

What we offer

• An opportunity to work with truly diverse, academically and socially motivated and talented students.
• Fixed-term contract with a possibility to extend by mutual consent.
• A competitive salary fixed in USD and paid in Armenian Dram.
• Rent-free accommodation on or off-campus, including utility bills and free meals in our canteen.
• An annual travel allowance and relocation allowance at the beginning and end of the contract.
• Usage of the school’s excellent facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, gym, theatre, workshop, and art studios.
• Professional development opportunities. Private medical and travel insurance.
• The school endeavours to organise social activity programmes for staff and their families: fitness sessions, yoga sessions, aqua fitness, and swimming sessions.
• Armenia has much to offer, whether you are interested in nature, history, or culture. Located in the Caucasus, the region is developing, and there are myriad opportunities to explore it.

Safeguarding and inclusivity

UWC Dilijan is committed to safeguarding our students and visitors. An application for a position implies explicit consent to undergo thorough background checks and screening. Successful candidates will be subject to background checks, including reference requests from previous employers, as well as a security check.

We encourage applications from individuals belonging to minority groups, including but not limited to Indigenous peoples, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, and those with diverse backgrounds or experiences. Your unique perspective is valued and contributes to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace.

How to apply

Being an intentionally diverse community, we welcome applications from qualified candidates from all cultural and educational backgrounds. If interested in different positions, you are encouraged to make joint applications. All applications have to be submitted electronically via careers@uwcdilijan.am before midnight on 6 February 2026 (UTC +4). Please specify the title of the job in the subject line. Please note that the interviewing process can be started before the application closing date, as soon as the relevant applications are received. Therefore, early applications are strongly encouraged.