SRCE-25-008, Term Regional Coordinator of African CanadianEducation/Services

The Strait Regional Centre for Education is seeking applications to an Administrative Teaching vacancy from permanent or probationary contract teachers. As part of the public education system in Nova Scotia, the Strait Regional Centre for Education (SRCE) was established on April 1, 2018, to deliver the public school program focusing on supporting student learning, achievement, well-being and overall success.  The Strait Regional Centre for Education, with the support of approximately 1,050 employees, works diligently to achieve its mission “to empower our children and youth, within safe, equitable and inclusive environments to embrace a changing world as responsible, contributing and successful lifelong learners.”  In 2024-2025, the SRCE operates 20 schools with approximately 5,981 students; and approximately 375 children are attending pre-primary programs at 14 school locations.  Located in the northeastern part of Nova Scotia, the Strait Regional Centre for Education’s jurisdiction encompasses the counties of Antigonish, Guysborough, Inverness and Richmond, an area of approximately 11,000 square kilometres with a population of 53,742 (Census 2021).

Screening and appointment will be made according to the Hiring Policy and the Local Collective Agreement.

Deadline for applications:    04/27/2025  at 11:59 pm

Effective dates:       08/01/2025   to   07/31/2026 (dependant upon return of the incumbent, may be extended)

Regional Coordinator of African Canadian Education/Services

Scope:

The Coordinator, under the direction of the Director, Programs and Student Services and in direct consultation with the African Canadian Services Branch (ACSB), shall be responsible for the coordination and leadership in all aspects of student achievement & well-being, wellness, programs and services; for students of African Descent; collaborating with Coordinators within each Regional Centre for Education; advising and assisting the Regional Executive Director and Senior Management including the Director of Programs and Student Services on issues related to African Canadian education.   

The Coordinator of African Canadian Services/Education will also assist in the implementation of initiatives and strategies which will have the highest impact on student success, achievement and wellness as outlined in such commissioned reports as the BLAC Report on Education: Redressing Inequity - Empowering Black Learners and Reality Check; and Nova Scotia Department of Education’s response Expanding from Equity supports to Leadership and Results: The Minister of Education’s Response to Reality Check.

The Coordinator will have a broad mandate covering students, parents, community groups and staff, and must work closely with Programs and Student Services staff, School Administration, School Advisory Councils, Human Resources, and the Student Equity Consultant.  The Coordinator will also be responsible for liaising with African Nova Scotian Communities, organizations and Elders. The expertise and advice provided to the Regional Executive Director and Senior Staff team shall be in the areas of equity, inclusion, student achievement, wellness and engagement and includes tasks and guidance in such areas as programming, program planning communication, strategic planning, policy development, curriculum, professional development, service delivery and human resources.

Competencies:

The Coordinator shall have the following competencies:

• The ability to lead strategic initiatives and to provide leadership and direction to a team responsible for cultivating learning environments, educational decisions and programming that support and advance student success, achievement, well-being and wellness;
• The ability to develop and analyze the interests, needs and educational plans of learners in collaboration with staff within Regional Centres of Education to promote achievement, wellness and academic success;
• The demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate with parents, community members and organizations representing and supporting students to effectively recommend actions/strategies to address those needs;
• The ability to provide strategic leadership to support a vision of equity and social justice in programming, policy, student services, curriculum, communications, human resources and regional/provincial initiatives;
• Demonstrated experience representing and supporting African Canadian Communities;
• The ability to strategize with Senior Staff in the development and implementation of initiatives, provincial and regional policy, and system and school improvement;
• The ability to design and implement appropriate professional development which enhances the achievement and wellness of  learners of African descent;
• The ability to establish strong links and build positive relationships using relational and restorative approaches within the region, with students, parents, community members and external groups, including local African Nova Scotian Communities, organizations, and government agencies;
• The ability to develop and manage budgets and funding to ensure the efficient and effective allocation of resources.

Qualifications:

• Designated position for an African Canadian person;
• Master’s degree in Education or acceptable equivalent obtained through training or experience;
• Minimum (5) years successful teaching experience;
• Experience in an educational leadership role or acceptable equivalent obtained through training or experience considered an asset;
• Experience working with African Canadian students, communities, and organizations;
• Excellent knowledge of African Canadian history, culture, and educational issues, with an emphasis on that of African Nova Scotians.
• Experience with the Program Planning Process and the development of educational plans which promote achievement and success.

Specific Job Requirements:

The Coordinator shall perform tasks as assigned by the Regional and Departmental (African Canadian Services Branch ACSB) staff. These tasks may vary, from time to time, with the evolution of the organization and may include, but not be limited to the following:

• Analysis of data/evidence (provincial, regional, school-based) and strategic leadership in relation to the educational success, achievement and well-being of African Canadian  learners;
• Monitor, review and develop educational plans in consultation with Programs and Student Services Staff members for African Canadian learners;
• Work in collaboration with Program and Student Services Staff to identify and implement progressive and high quality instructional strategies that support planning and best practices related to education of African Canadian learners;
• Develop priorities for regional and school based professional development related to African Canadian education;
• Provide leadership in fostering equity and inclusiveness in the development and implementation of programs and services for students of African descent;
• Provide educational support in specific situations where an inequity or discrimination has occurred or is perceived to have occurred, in collaboration with the Coordinator of Mi’kmaw Education Services and the Student Equity Consultant;
• Lead a team committed to the advancement of African Canadian  achievement, wellness and success;
• Participate as an active member of the Senior Staff Team and act as a resource to all departments with respect to African Canadian issues;
• Intervene in specific situations with African Canadian students, parents, Elders, and communities to collect pertinent information and make appropriate recommendations to the Director or senior management team;
•  Provide a strong liaison with African Nova Scotian communities and families within their region,-to ensure parents and communities feel a key part of schools and their services and contribute, and contribute to the development of approved educational plans.

• Provide support for schools in the development of student success plans which place a high value priority upon helping principals to support teachers to teach though promising practices for African Canadian  student success; 
• Oversee programming and supports for African Canadian  students;
• Effectively manage financial resources (provincial, regional, grant, etc.) directed in support of African Nova Scotian programming and initiatives and participate in the preparation of the annual business plan;
• Provide communication to schools on Program and Student Services initiatives related to African Canadian  students and education;
• Participate in the student transition planning process, in the identification and development of supports for individual program planning teams for students, in establishing needs and priorities in the allocation of human and material resources to support African Canadian learners;
• Other related duties as required.

The Strait Regional Centre for Education appreciates your expression of interest in the posted vacancy.  Please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.  You can check the status of your application on Successfactor under My Applications.