The Role

• St. Andrew’s Senior School is seeking to employ an experienced swimming coach to lead an exciting new chapter in the school’s history.  With the competition of a new short course competition pool, the successful candidate will oversee the swimming programme at Senior School.  They will report directly to the Director of Sport and join a department used to experiencing success in the sporting arena.
• The Senior School Swimming coach is predominantly required to coach early morning and afternoons although they will be flexible hours worked during the week.  Hours of employment will be discussed at interview.
• St Andrew’s, Turi is one of the leading international schools in Africa. Founded as a Preparatory School in 1931, it has grown to comprise of both Preparatory and Senior Schools.  St Andrew’s is a full boarding school, situated on a beautiful 450-acre site on the western slopes of the Rift Valley North West of Nairobi, and at 2500m (making it malaria free) where the wonderful climate makes it one of the most sought after places to live in Kenya.
• St Andrew’s has a strong Christian foundation and ethos, which continue to define and govern the nature and work of the School. The School has 600 students from over 25 nations, with the majority hailing from Africa. The School’s distinctive Christian character is evident in all aspects of School life, with children from all faith backgrounds welcome.
• The Senior School (Year 9 -Year 13) was founded in 1988 and is formally inspected by ISI, most recently in the March 2022 ISI Inspection Report, where we were assessed to be “Excellent” in the quality of both the pupils’ “learning and achievement”, and “personal development”. We are an active member of Round Square, HMC, COBIS and The Society of Heads.
• Our mission is to be the leading international school in Africa, transforming the hearts, minds, bodies and souls of tomorrow’s leaders. Students are prepared for (I)GCSE and A level exams and move on to top universities in the UK, North America, Canada, and many other parts of the world.
• St Andrew’s staff are characterised by the highest professional standards, and they form a vibrant and industrious community, integral to the culture of excellent professional development within the context of a full boarding school.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience:

• Educational Background: A degree in Sports Science, Physical Education, or a related field is preferred.
• Certifications: A recognised and current swimming coaching certification, such as World Aquatics (WA), American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA), or Kenya Swimming Teachers and Coaches Association (KSTCA) Level 3 or higher. Additionally, certifications in First Aid and Lifeguard training from a nationally recognised body are essential.
• Experience: A minimum of 4 years of experience coaching swimming at the secondary school level or equivalent. Experience in competitive swimming at a national or international level is highly desirable. The candidate should also have experience in organising and running swimming meets using software such as Meet Manager, as well as developing and implementing water safety promotion programmes.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Technical Proficiency: Expertise in swimming techniques, training methods, and long-term athlete development. Familiarity with the British and/or American curriculum, and the ability to tailor coaching to various skill levels.
• Event Management: Proven ability to organise and manage swimming meets, including all logistical aspects, using software such as Meet Manager. This includes coordinating with officials, ensuring accurate timing and results, and managing participant registrations.
• Aquatic Facility Management: Strong understanding of aquatic facility operations, including pool maintenance, safety protocols, and scheduling. The ability to manage and oversee the day-to-day operations of the SS pool, ensuring it meets all regulatory and safety standards.
• Aquatic Sports Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of other aquatic sports, particularly water polo, with the ability to coach and develop programmes for these sports as part of the broader swimming and aquatic activities.
• Water Safety Promotion: Strong commitment to promoting water safety within the School and the broader community, including developing educational programmes and ensuring compliance with safety standards.
• Communication and Stakeholder Engagement: Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to motivate and retain talent. The candidate should be capable of engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including students, parents, fellow coaches, and school administrators, to foster a positive and inclusive environment.

Personal Attributes:

• Leadership: The ability to inspire and lead both students and colleagues, setting high standards for performance and conduct.
• Teamwork: A collaborative approach, working effectively with other coaches, staff members, and the broader school community to achieve shared goals.
• Innovation: Willingness to incorporate new techniques and technologies into coaching and event management to enhance the swimming programme’s effectiveness.