Head, University Basic School

Location: Accra
Employment Type: Full-Time
Application Deadline: 25 May 2026

About University of Ghana

University of Ghana is Ghana’s premier university, established in 1948 to provide higher education, undertake research, and contribute to national and global development through teaching, learning, and innovation.

About the University Basic School

The University Basic School (UBS), Legon, was established in 1955 as the University Primary School and later expanded to include the Junior Secondary School in 1987. Today, the School serves over 2,000 pupils across Kindergarten, Primary, and Junior High School levels.

The School aims to be Ghana’s preferred institution for excellence in basic education by nurturing curious, confident, diligent, and highly motivated learners who uphold the highest standards of integrity.

Role Overview

The Head, University Basic School will provide strategic leadership and oversee the administration, growth, and academic development of the School. The successful candidate will drive institutional excellence, strengthen academic performance, improve operational systems, and support sustainable growth within a competitive educational environment.

As the leader of a self-financing and self-accounting unit of the University, the Head will also oversee prudent financial management and support innovative resource mobilization initiatives for the School’s development.

Key Responsibilities

Academic Leadership and Monitoring

• Provide strategic leadership and systems thinking to drive long-term institutional growth and transformation.
• Lead the effective implementation of the Ghana Education Service curriculum across all levels.
• Supervise lesson preparation, instructional delivery, and assessment processes.
• Drive targeted academic interventions to improve student learning outcomes and examination performance.
• Establish systems for monitoring student and teacher performance to support data-driven decision-making.
• Integrate technology to support teaching, learning, assessment, and school administration.
• Lead innovation initiatives that enhance educational quality and institutional effectiveness.

Staff Supervision and Management

• Lead staff mentorship, training, and continuous professional development programmes.
• Provide strategic direction and support to teaching and non-teaching staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, motivation, and professionalism.
• Champion the adoption of digital tools to improve operational efficiency and administration.

Administration and School Growth

• Maintain high standards of discipline, safety, and school conduct.
• Lead strategic planning, monitoring, and evaluation activities for the School.
• Drive initiatives to improve school infrastructure and operational effectiveness.
• Develop innovative resource mobilization strategies to address funding and infrastructure challenges.
• Build strong relationships within the University community and with external stakeholders.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must:

• Hold a good first degree and a professional qualification in Education.
• Hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Educational Administration, Educational Leadership and Management, or Educational Administration and Management.
• Have a minimum of fifteen (15) years’ progressive experience in education.
• Have at least five (5) years’ experience as Head of School, Deputy Head of School, or in a similar senior leadership role, OR hold the rank of Assistant Director II or higher within the Ghana Education Service with equivalent experience.

Experience & Competencies

The successful candidate must demonstrate:

• Strong visionary and transformational leadership capabilities.
• Ability to initiate change and drive institutional improvement.
• Proven success in resource mobilization and school development initiatives.
• Strong understanding of school administration, discipline, safety, and operational management.
• Excellent managerial, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• High digital and technological competence.
• Strong strategic planning and decision-making abilities.
• High integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Results-oriented leadership with evidence of measurable impact and achievements.

Salary & Benefits

The position offers an attractive salary package with fringe benefits, including:

• Market premium
• Rent allowance
• Security allowance
• Responsibility allowance

Tenure

The successful candidate will hold office for an initial term of four (4) years effective 1 August 2026, on terms and conditions approved by the University Council before reaching the statutory retirement age of 60 years. The appointment may be eligible for re-appointment for an additional term of up to four (4) years.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a complete application pack addressed to the Registrar, University of Ghana, via:

Hard copy applications will not be accepted.

The application pack must be submitted as a single PDF file and should include:

• Completed application form for Senior Level Administrative Positions (UAB Form 1C), downloadable from:
  UG HR & Organisational Development Directorate
• Updated Curriculum Vitae and copies of relevant academic and professional certificates.
• A statement of not more than 2,500 words outlining how the applicant intends to address key issues to support the mission and vision of the University Basic School in alignment with the University of Ghana Strategic Plan (2024–2029).
• The Strategic Plan can be accessed at:
  UG Strategic Plan Publications
• Names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of two referees familiar with the applicant’s professional competencies and willing to provide references.
• Applications should reach the Registrar through vacancies@ug.edu.gh

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.