Ideal Candidate Profile
Professional & Leadership Qualities
– Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusting, positive relationships with students, colleagues, and families.
– Demonstrated ability to contribute to curriculum development, assessment alignment, and pedagogical consistency across the MYP and DP Sciences.
– Previous departmental leadership or coordination experience is preferred, with the ability to support and guide colleagues in curriculum planning and instructional practices.
– A collaborative mindset that supports mentoring, sharing good practices, and contributing to the professional development of other teachers.
– A commitment to contributing to the school’s Strategic Plan and supporting department-wide improvement initiatives.
– Ability and willingness to take on the Head of Sciences Department role, depending on experience, qualifications, and departmental needs.
Student-Centered Qualities
– A genuine care for student well-being and the ability to understand and respond to diverse learner needs.
– A passion for Biology and life sciences, with the ability to inspire students to explore living systems, biological processes, and the interconnectedness of life.
– An ability to develop students’ scientific curiosity, critical thinking, and understanding of biological concepts through inquiry and practical investigation.
– A commitment to fostering an inquiry-driven and supportive learning environment.
– Ability to connect biological concepts to real-world issues, including biodiversity, genetics, evolution, human health, and environmental sustainability.
Values & Dispositions
– A strong sense of community engagement and a service-oriented mindset.
– High levels of integrity, empathy, professionalism, and a dedication to our core values of Community, Respect, and Understanding.
– A growth mindset demonstrated through ongoing professional learning and active participation in school-wide initiatives.
– A commitment to promoting scientific literacy, responsible research, and ethical scientific practices.
Expectations of Teachers & HODs at HJIS
HJIS teachers and department leaders are reflective, collaborative, and committed to high-quality teaching and learning across the IB continuum. High-quality learning is defined as an inclusive, ongoing, agentic process that challenges and enables learners to acquire the skills to take responsible action both during their time at HJIS and beyond. Learning ignites curiosity and ensures the transformation of concepts into understanding through inquiry, problem solving, experimentation, and real-world application.
Curriculum & Instruction (Biology & Sciences HOD Focus)
DP Biology Teachers at HJIS:
- Deliver the DP Biology curriculum in accordance with IB standards and subject requirements.
- Develop students’ understanding of biological concepts, systems, and processes, encouraging them to make connections across different areas of Biology.
- Promote inquiry-based learning through scientific investigation, experimentation, observation, and evidence-based reasoning.
- Support students in developing practical laboratory skills, including experimental design, data collection, analysis, evaluation, and scientific communication.
- Prepare students for DP assessments, including internal assessment and external examinations, in accordance with IB requirements.
- Support students in developing independent research skills and the ability to critically evaluate scientific information and sources.
- Incorporate contemporary biological issues and real-world applications into teaching, including genetics, evolution, ecology, biodiversity, biotechnology, and human physiology.
- Collaborate with other science teachers to support curriculum alignment, interdisciplinary learning, and consistency across the MYP and DP.
Additional Sciences Department Leadership Focus (HOD)
Where the candidate assumes the Head of Sciences Department role, responsibilities may include:
- Leading departmental curriculum planning, development, review, and improvement across the MYP and DP Sciences.
- Supporting alignment of science curricula, teaching approaches, and assessment practices with IB standards and expectations.
- Facilitating collaboration and professional dialogue among science teachers across different subject areas.
- Coordinating assessment moderation and promoting consistency in assessment and reporting practices.
- Supporting the development of practical science skills, laboratory-based learning, and appropriate safety procedures.
- Monitoring student progress and supporting the department’s data-informed approach to teaching and learning.
- Leading department meetings and communicating departmental priorities, needs, and developments to school leadership.
- Mentoring and supporting science teachers in their professional growth and instructional practices.
- Contributing to the development of interdisciplinary learning opportunities and whole-school initiatives related to science.
IB Teaching Principles and Practices
HJIS teachers uphold pedagogy that is:
- Inquiry-based.
- Concept-focused.
- Situated in local and global contexts.
- Collaborative and team-oriented.
- Aligned with formative and summative assessment data.
- Grounded in scientific investigation, critical thinking, and evidence-based reasoning.
Differentiation Expectations
Teachers differentiate instruction by:
- Affirming student identity and building student confidence in scientific thinking and biological understanding.
- Connecting learning to students’ prior knowledge and real-life experiences.
- Scaffolding scientific concepts, practical skills, and analytical processes to ensure access for all learners.
- Providing opportunities for experimentation, practical investigation, and collaborative learning.
- Extending and enriching learning for advanced scientific exploration and independent research.
Possible Duties at HJIS (DP Biology Teacher & Possible Sciences HOD)
Teachers typically teach an average of 20 periods per week, with teaching hours fluctuating between 18 and 23 periods depending on operational needs.
Teaching Responsibilities
- Teaching DP Biology.
- Potentially teaching MYP Sciences and/or other relevant science subjects, depending on qualifications, experience, and school needs.
- Planning and delivering lessons that develop biological knowledge, scientific reasoning, and critical thinking.
- Providing office hours or additional academic support for students.
- Supervising and supporting DP Biology Internal Assessments (IA) and relevant Extended Essays.
Department Leadership Responsibilities (HOD)
- Leading departmental curriculum planning and review across the Sciences.
- Supporting and mentoring science teachers across the IB continuum.
- Ensuring departmental alignment with IB expectations and whole-school initiatives.
- Coordinating assessment moderation and promoting consistency across science subjects.
- Supporting the school’s data-driven approach to teaching and learning.
- Facilitating department meetings and communicating with school leadership.
- Supporting laboratory resources, equipment management, and safety procedures in collaboration with relevant staff.
- Promoting interdisciplinary learning and opportunities for collaboration between science subjects.
Additional Duties
- Supervising IB projects, including the Extended Essay in Biology or related scientific fields.
- Supporting student clubs, science-related extracurricular activities, environmental initiatives, or academic competitions.
- Participation in the Advisory system.
- Providing supervision during non-class times.
- Assisting with school events, field trips, and Expedition Weeks.
- Offering substitution coverage when needed.
Required and Preferred Qualifications
Teaching & Leadership Experience
- Minimum 3 years of teaching experience with secondary learners, preferably in Biology or other Science subjects.
- Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biological Sciences, Life Sciences, Science Education, or a related field.
- Teaching qualification or Bachelor’s degree in Education, or equivalent recognized teaching credentials.
- Preferred: Experience teaching IB Diploma Programme Biology.
- Preferred: Experience with IB MYP Sciences and/or other DP Science subjects.
- Preferred: Previous departmental leadership or coordination experience, particularly in Science.
- Preferred: Experience teaching in international or multicultural school settings.
- Strong understanding of biological concepts, scientific investigation, laboratory practices, and practical science education.
- Ability to support students with scientific research, experimental design, data analysis, evaluation, and academic writing.
Digital Literacy & Technology Skills
Applicants should be proficient with:
- Google Suite.
- Zoom.
- ManageBac.
- Interactive Smartboard technology.
- Apple products (MacBooks, iMacs).
- Scientific data collection, analysis, and presentation tools.
- Relevant Biology and scientific research resources and digital platforms.