Pestalozzi International is a family of nonprofit organizations that offers child-centered education to disadvantaged children in the Global South, supporting economic growth and social mobility. Recognizing the uniqueness of every child's fullest potential, we educate beyond the classroom to develop future-oriented vocational skills and nurture emotional, social and mental well-being. Our approach provides for a future generation of compassionate global citizens equipped with the ‘Head, Heart and Hands’ to define their lives according to their potential, not their backgrounds. We see a tomorrow where every child’s innate talent, empathy, and rich diversity of lived experience are nurtured. Where education instils the power to make informed decisions, fuels the fire of ambition, and inspires everyone to shape a brighter tomorrow for all humanity. Our vision is a world where every child has the knowledge, skills, and ambition to develop their nations and to create a better world for us all.
We are looking for a Village House Parent to oversee the following functions under the supervision of the Village Matron.
Job Title: House Parent
Reports To : Village Matron
Purpose
To ensure the safety, wellbeing and personal development of the scholars in the House; and provide a personal link with the house for parents and academic staff. To encourage a family atmosphere and to share in aspects of village life not just those relating to your house.
Key Responsibilities
· To familiarize yourself and have regard for the Pestalozzi ethos and principles and follow the guidelines set out in the house mothers manual.
· To carry out all duties in a positive and empowering manner, following a student-centered approach and behave at all times as a role model for the scholars.
· To secure high standards of Pastoral care in all areas and take pride and ownership of your house.
· To promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young person's by adhering to and ensuring compliance with the Child Protection Policy all times.
· To communicate with parents, to ensure that they are fully informed about their child’s progress and welfare; to ensure that family incidents and problems are brought to the attention of those who need to know.
· To be responsible for the general administration of the house and liaise with the appropriate staff in matters concerning the maintenance, upkeep and improvement of the house, its furniture and furnishings
· To take on additional responsibilities relating to shared facilities such as catering, procurement, security and prep which pertain to the village as a whole.
· To be resident within the village at all times during term time (excluding off duty time) and to be responsible to the Matron for the general welfare and personal development of all the scholars in the House
Psychosocial & Emotional Wellbeing Support
Working Hand in Hand with the pastoral Officer to ensure;
· To be aware that the scholars are away from their family, close friends and usual surroundings and therefore may suffer from time to time with a number of issues relating to their living arrangements. These may include, homesickness, loneliness, alienation, language barriers, bullying, etc and every effort should be made to closely monitor, minimize and address such issues in a caring and supportive manner
· To liaise effectively with the Nurse to ensure that scholars have medical requirements properly catered for; to encourage scholars to adopt a healthy life style. To administer medicine to scholars during the evenings/weekends as required
· To support and apply fairly the disciplinary policy and rules. To work in such a way that encourages the scholars you support to be able to distinguish between right and wrong, accept responsibility for their actions.
· To lead, participate and provide input to skills lessons and social work, monitoring and recording attendance and participation.
· To ensure that a full and varied program of extra-curricular activities is pursued by pupils, and they are appropriately occupied, especially at weekends. Support and attend such events as a figurehead for the house.
· To keep records of children's progress, welfare, health, emotional problems, achievements and misconduct
· To provide termly report for each child in the family covering social and personal aspects of their development.
· To ensure that children’s clothes and personal belongings are used appropriately and stored securely and tidily; to ensure that pupils treat the belongings of others, and the property and furnishings of the village with respect.
Security/Care taking
· To be aware of and follow all security practices within the village; to bring any potentially dangerous practice, situation, or property to the attention to the Matron
· To complete daily house and security checks, including checking rooms and common areas after scholars leave in the mornings
· To check the village is secure during the night and after students leave for school
· Ensuring all students are in the village and accounted for at the start and end of each day, recording this activity.
· To ensure the house and surroundings are clean; to ensure adequate hygiene standards are maintained at all times
· To clean and close down the House at end/beginning of the year. Making sure that the building is cleaned and bedrooms ready for new scholars to move in to. This will necessitate returning before the start of term and remaining after the end of the final term as necessary.
Qualifications
· Grade 12 Certificate
· At least a Diploma-level qualification, preferably in Social Work, Education, Nursing, or any field related to Child Development.
· Previous Experience in Boarding Hostel
· Teaching Or Nursing Experience Desirable
· Skills And Knowledge:
· A Love and Genuine Interest in Children
· An Understanding of Child Development
· Patience, Tolerance and the Ability to Cope with Limited Personal Time and Space
· Sensitivity To Different Cultures
· A High Standard of English Language
· Practical Skills Such as Sewing, Knitting, Gardening Etc
· Administration Skills
· First Aid Qualification and A Knowledge of Childhood Illnesses
If you meet the qualifications and requirements, please send your CV and cover letter to pestalozzizambia@pestalozzi.international do not send qualifications at
this stage.
