The University of Ghana, Legon, is pleased to invite applications from suitably qualified persons for the position of HEAD, UNIVERSITY BASIC SCHOOL.

POSITION: Head, University Basic School
REPORTING TO: he Registrar and the Management Committee of the School

THE SCHOOL

Established as the University Primary School (UPS) in 1955 with an initial enrolment of 36 pupils, the School moved to its present premises in 1958 as the Demonstration School. The Junior Secondary School was later added in 1987 with an initial enrolment of 68.

The University Basic School (UBS), Legon now has over 2,000 pupils in three Departments: Kindergarten, Primary and Junior High School.

Mission and Vision

The University Basic School, aims to be the preferred institution in Ghana for excellence in Basic Education and to train children to be curious, confident, diligent, highly motivated and to uphold the highest levels of integrity.

THE POSITION

Reporting to the Registrar and the Management Committee of the School, the Head will oversee the general administration, development and growth of the School as a centre of academic excellence and will be required to provide leadership and exercise initiative in the management of an establishment with a growing student population in a competitive national environment.

As a self-financing and self-accounting unit of the University, the Head will be expected to generate income for the School’s operations and be responsible for prudent management of same.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Head is responsible for providing leadership to the School and for maintaining and promoting efficiency and good order. The Head is also responsible for the general administration of the School in respect of human, financial and material resources within the general framework of the University’s policies.

The Head will be responsible for implementing initiatives to ensure the success of learners in school-based and national examinations, as well as improvements in the infrastructure of the School.

Specific duties include:

Academic Leadership and Monitoring

•Provide strong strategic leadership and systems thinking, with the ability to move the school beyond routine operational management to long-term growth and transformation.
•Drive bold and courageous leadership by proactively identifying and advancing strategic opportunities for institutional transformation.
•Exercise sound judgment in taking calculated risks to ensure the effective implementation of initiatives that deliver measurable and sustainable outcomes.
•Drive the effective implementation of the Ghana Education Service curriculum across all levels.
•Supervise lesson preparation, instructional delivery, and assessment processes.
•Lead targeted academic interventions to enhance student learning outcomes.
•Establish and oversee systems for monitoring student and teacher performance, and reporting, to enhance data-driven decision making.
•Integrate technology to support teaching, learning, and assessment management.

Staff Supervision and Management

•Lead staff mentorship, training initiatives, and continuous professional development programmes.
•Provide strategic direction and support to both teaching and non-teaching staff.
•Champion the adoption of digital tools to enhance administration.
•Foster a culture of motivation, accountability, and effective teamwork among staff.

Administration and School Growth

•Uphold high standards of discipline, safety, and overall school conduct.
•Lead in the use of digital solutions for administrative tasks.
•Lead in strategic planning for the School, as well as monitoring and evaluation.
•Employ innovative ways to mobilise resources to address infrastructure and funding constraints.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful applicant must:

•Have a good first degree and a professional qualification in Education.
•Have a master’s degree in a relevant field in Education (for example Educational Administration, Educational Administration and Management or Educational Leadership and Management).
•A minimum of 15 years progressive experience in the field with a minimum of five years as Head of School, Deputy Head of School or a similar senior leadership position OR be at the rank of Assistant Director II or its equivalent or higher in the Ghana Education Service with at least 15 years progressive working experience in the field.

EXPERIENCE AND ATTRIBUTES

The successful candidate must:

•Be performance-driven, highly motivated, with a visionary disposition, and the courage to initiate change.
•Be willing to take calculated risks and drive institutional improvement.
•Have a proven ability in alternative resource mobilisation to address infrastructure and funding constraints.
•Have a track record of achievement, particularly in strengthening school administration, discipline, safety, and overall institutional performance.
•Show evidence of leadership impact and accomplishments.
•Demonstrate a strong digital and technological competence.
•Be able to establish linkages within the University system and between the School and the wider public.
•Possess excellent inter-personal, verbal and communication skills.
•Demonstrate a general understanding of the School’s context and challenges.
•Be results-oriented with excellent managerial and leadership skills.
•Demonstrate a very high level of integrity and professionalism.

SALARY: Attractive with fringe benefits including market premium, rent, security and responsibility allowance.

TENURE

The person appointed as Head must be able to hold office for an initial term of four years, effective 1st August 2026, on terms and conditions approved by the University Council, before reaching the statutory retirement age of 60 years, and may be eligible for re-appointment for a further term of up to four years.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Applicants are required to submit the complete application pack addressed to the Registrar, University of Ghana, through vacancies@ug.edu.gh (Electronic copy only). Hard copy applications will not be accepted.

The application pack should be submitted as a single PDF file and should contain the following:

•Completed application form for Senior Level Administrative Positions (UAB Form 1C) to be downloaded from the University’s website at www.ug.edu.gh/hrodd
•An up-to-date curriculum vitae and copies of relevant academic and/or professional certificates.
•A statement of a maximum of 2,500 words indicating how the applicant intends to use the period in office to address relevant issues that will ensure that the University Basic School achieves its mission and vision in consonance with the job requirements and the University of Ghana Strategic Plan (2024-2029).

The new UG strategic plan, 2024-2029 can be downloaded at: https://www.ug.edu.gh/pad/publications .

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Closing Date: 25 May, 2026

•Applications should reach the Registrar through vacancies@ug.edu.gh not later than the close of day on 25 May 2026.
•Additionally, as part of the application, applicants should submit the names, telephone and email details of two persons familiar with their professional competencies, and who are willing to provide references for the applicant.