Teaching Positions at Abaarso School

Abaarso School is looking for individuals interested in training the top secondary school students in a deeply underprivileged section of the world. Abaarso, a boarding school in the Horn of Africa, focuses on math, science and English. Teachers spend approximately 20 hours per week in the classroom, plus significant work outside of class (often in the range of an additional 30-50 hours a week). Many Abaarso teachers also assume management roles, and all are expected to lead extra-curricular activities by coaching sports teams, running student clubs, or leading work-time activities.

We are always seeking professionals with experience in finance, business, IT, computer networking, communications, marketing, and/or management experience, to strengthen our organization.

Teachers at Abaarso School must be hard-working, adaptable, and self motivated, with strong interpersonal skills. While Abaarso is an entrepreneurial organization with lots of opportunity for advancement, teachers must be willing to work within the Abaarso system.

Qualifications

Benefits

The Abaarso Commitment

Abaarso requires teachers to fully commit themselves to the improvement of the students and the school; this involves a complete immersion in Abaarso’s environment. For teachers, the school becomes the professional life, the social life, the physical outlet, and the source of personal growth. Those who have committed to the experience gain an experience that changes their perspective on life. However, such a commitment and immersion is not for everyone. Abaarso is a difficult environment and only those ready to dedicate themselves to the students and the school should proceed.

Regional Instability and Travel Warning

Abaarso School is located in a region of the world that has been known for chronic instability and the presence of terrorist groups. As of October 1st, 2015, the U.S. State Department issued the following warning:

“There is no U.S. Embassy or other formal U.S. diplomatic facility in Somalia at this time. Consequently, the U.S. government is not in a position to assist or effectively provide services to U.S. citizens in Somalia. In light of this and continuous security threats, the U.S. government recommends that U.S. citizens avoid all travel to Somalia.”

The U.S. State Department updates this warning periodically so prospective teachers should look directly to the Somalia Travel Warning on the United States Department of State website.

Somaliland, an independent but unrecognized country within what is officially Somalia, has experienced relative peace for many years. However, the region is still considered by most governments to be part of Somalia and therefore is included in all such warnings and regulations. Abaarso does its best to protect its students and staff by using all available resources and security personnel, but cannot guarantee the safety or security of anyone traveling in this area. Abaarso applicants must understand and accept the inherent risks in living and working in this region.

More information and updated travel warnings can be found on the State Department website listed above.