Today we will reveal the 11 job categories that are most frequently featured in ISASA vacancies.
In fact, 10 of the total categories are jobs that are in sectors other than education.
So if teaching isn’t your forte and you’re looking for ISASA administrative jobs, ISASA IT jobs, or ISASA marketing jobs, then you will love the list we share below.
Let’s dive right into it.
What is ISASA?
The Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA) is the largest and oldest association of independent (private) schools in the Southern African region.
You can trace the origins of ISASA back to the founding of the Conference of Headmasters and Headmistresses in 1929.
Today, more than 850 schools are members of its network. These schools are spread in countries like South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Angola, Zambia, and Swaziland. Furthermore, 190,000 students attend schools within the ISASA network.
ISASA is a non-profit volunteer association. In other words, schools choose to apply for ISASA membership.
For that purpose, each member of the school pays an annual subscription fee. Then, in return, ISASA provides a range of services to its members. For example, these services include financial assistance, advocacy, best school practices, professional development and other services.
Also, it is important to note that ISASA does not own or regulate any private schools. It means that the association is not a governing body for private schools.
In fact, ISASA aims to be a body capable of providing quality education for all its learners. Additionally, the vision of ISASA is to make the value of independent schools known to the public. ISASA also aspires to advance schools to provide value-based education for the entire community.
Reasons to Work for ISASA
- Room for improvement
- Job safety
- Diversity
- Excellent compensation
Job Categories Available in ISASA Vacancies
While it’s true that ISASA is an organisation centred entirely on education, that’s not to say that one hundred per cent of the jobs offered in it will always be related to being a teacher.
In other words, non-teaching jobs are also available in ISASA vacancies.
For example, you can find ISASA jobs related to administrative matters at any time.
Alternatively, if you have qualified in the past as a reliable developer, then you may have the opportunity to join ISASA’s information and technology department.
Without further ado, let’s check out what job opportunities you possibly can get by applying to ISASA vacancies.
1. Administrative Jobs
It is safe to say that administrative tasks take up about 30% of the total amount of tasks in schools.
What this means to you is that there is a great chance for you to be selected if you apply to administrative jobs as they are in high demand.
This is especially true in ISASA-affiliated schools.
Some of the positions whose day-to-day responsibilities are very close to administrative tasks in these schools include:
- Receptionist
- Administrator
- Administrative Clerk
- Department Secretary
- Support Administrator
- Customer Support Manager
The good news is that some of the jobs on the list are available to matriculants.
However, the rest require you to earn a bachelor’s degree in Education. Also, you may need to possess several years of teaching experience before applying. Lastly, a qualification in teaching would be highly desirable.
2. Admission Jobs
Working in the admission department means that you will be responsible for the successful admission of prospective students in ISASA member schools.
For example, as an admission officer, you will have to advise prospective students on the requirements and options for admission, transfer or articulation and related issues.
Additionally, visiting schools at lower levels of education and presenting presentations to groups or individuals is also part of your core responsibility.
To qualify as one, you must be a bachelor graduate with experience in education admission.
3. Boarding Jobs
It is not surprising that some schools adhere to a boarding system.
As it deals with the quality of life of many students at once, as a boarding officer, it is your responsibility to ensure that the boarding house is fully staffed at all times.
You also take on a leadership role in ensuring the well-being of all residents of the boarding house of the school to which you are assigned.
Therefore, it will be greatly desirable if you can demonstrate an honours degree in the related academic discipline.
Also, you must be a passionate and dedicated individual about boarding.
4. Facilities Jobs
You probably already know how school facilities affect learning and teaching.
In fact, according to Fresco News, well-maintained school facilities improve the quality of the learning environment in schools, thus improving the quality of education.
And if you also believe in this value, it is no coincidence that you are interested in applying to school facilities management jobs on ISASA vacancies.
Moreover, if you:
- Have successful experience in facility management,
- Demonstrate organisational skills,
- Have attention to detail, and
- Possess the ability to prioritise multiple projects simultaneously,
Then you are a good candidate to become a facilities manager for ISASA’s selected schools.
5. Finance Jobs
While school finance jobs are close to what you might find in leading bank vacancies like Standard Bank or FNB, these careers place a greater emphasis on overall school budget management.
In other words, on average, the following roles will always be associated with making important decisions regarding school budgets:
- Bookkeeper
- Finance Manager
- Financial Administration
- Bursar or Business Manager
Each position requires candidates with different skills. However, one thing is for sure: a qualification or degree in finance will be advantageous for you.
6. Hospitality Jobs
You may be surprised to learn that a hospitality department exists in the school.
Actually, yes, IT DOES!
But what does the hospitality department do in school?
It mainly deals with serving food and drink to all staff and students.
So, do you have a wide range of culinary skills?
If you do, then you should not miss the opportunity to apply as a canteen staff at ISASA-affiliated schools.
In addition to extraordinary culinary skills, you must also be able to operate a cash register and be dedicated to the cleanliness of the canteen environment.
7. IT Jobs
The main role of the department of information and technology in schools should be to innovate. Thus, the goal is to integrate and foster innovation in students, teachers and staff.
Do you have what it takes to innovate the people around you?
Try to figure it out, and if you do have it, this is the time to use it to set you apart from the other candidates.
ISASA vacancies are solely open to individuals who are responsible for filling the following positions:
- Network and Supporting Infrastructure Administrator
- Google Workspace Technician
- Network Support Technician
And while the determination to innovate itself is important, the necessary qualifications are even MORE important. Therefore, make sure you meet all the requirements to qualify.
8. Media Jobs
Staff from the media department usually work closely with those from the IT department to create news and disseminate information about school policies effectively.
Thus it is not surprising that media support staff are expected to have related qualifications in IT.
Furthermore, it’s also great to have prior experience in journalism. After all, writing will make up a large part of a media support staff’s day to day duties.
9. Managerial Jobs
Being part of the school management team means that you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of activities within the school.
One of your greatest responsibilities is probably to ensure that the quality of teaching and learning is delivered effectively and efficiently at all times.
And there are various roles in which you will be required to perform such important tasks, including:
- Head of Department
- Deputy Headmaster
- ISASA Director
- Deputy Principal
- Head of Educational Operations
- Principal
- School Leader
- Rector or Executive Head
- Head of Learning & Curriculum
10. Marketing Jobs
As the name suggests, marketing jobs revolve around promoting the business and increasing sales of services.
In this case, the marketing jobs in ISASA vacancies aim to provide the right strategies to gain the attention of prospective students.
Some of those jobs include marketing and recruitment specialist and head of marketing.
To qualify, having a bachelor’s degree in marketing or communications is a must.
In addition to the appropriate degree, you should also be proficient in operating computer programmes like Microsoft Office and other software.
If you’re not much of a tech-savvy guy, then it wouldn’t hurt to upgrade your skills by enrolling in courses like Kukhula Learnerships.
11. Teaching Jobs
After all, it is difficult to imagine careers in the education industry without teaching jobs in it.
Moreover, ISASA consists of multiple private schools that strive to advance education in their respective countries. Therefore, the role of the teacher is very important in realizing these ideals.
More than a hundred teaching jobs are active in ISASA vacancies throughout the year. They range from early childhood education teachers to general teachers.
You have plenty of options to choose from as long as you have the appropriate qualifications and certificates.
First of all, you must have completed four years of bachelor’s degree in Education.
Then, it must be followed by a one-year Advanced Diploma in Education and registration with the South African Council to become a certified teacher.
How to Apply for ISASA Vacancies
Luckily, it’s easy to apply to ISASA vacancies since you can do the entire process online.
To do so, first, check the list of vacancies on the official ISASA website.
Next, select the category of your chosen job. For example, you have decided to join as a Bookkeeper. Then, you have to click on the “Finance” button and select the job from the list.
In a new window you can learn about the job description, ISASA member schools offering the position, requirements, closing dates, and how to apply.
Next, send your application along with a recent CV, a copy of your qualifications and ID, and other required documents to the email address or contact of the recruiter listed on the page.
Please note that recruiters will only contact short-listed candidates.
If you do not receive any response, then please accept that your application was unsuccessful.
Either way, you can move on and look for other opportunities, like these Life Healthcare vacancies, for instance.