Haile-Manas Academy (HMA) is a model, first-of-its-kind co-educational boarding school, established for the education of Ethiopia’s most promising and motivated secondary students. The school provides its students a world class education and strives to help transform the education available to all Ethiopian students. HMA is located in Debre Birhan, Ethiopia on a beautiful new state-of-the-art campus and is now in its sixth year of operation.

HMA is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven Assistant Director of College Counseling to join its Office of College and Career Counseling (OCCC). The Assistant Director of College Counseling will join a strong, dedicated OCCC team that has achieved exceptional success in creating a holistic, student-centered counseling program to support students and their families in the exploration of college and career pathways after graduation, with HMA graduates matriculating at universities in Ethiopia and at many prestigious international colleges and universities. As the school transitions from its start-up years into its sixth year of operations, the Assistant Director of College Counseling will play a key role in strengthening existing programming and in designing and introducing new elements as appropriate to ensure that HMA continues to successfully serve students and families for many years to come.

The Assistant Director of College Counseling will work under the supervision of the Dean of College and Career Counseling and in close collaboration with faculty across the school. The ideal candidate will have at least five years’ experience in college and career counseling and/or other comparable experience within a high school, university setting and/or other relevant experience. The candidate will be able to think analytically and problem solve, have strong time management and interpersonal skills, and be genuinely excited about the opportunity to work with mission-driven colleagues and contribute meaningfully to an outstanding OCCC program. Please read more below.

The position is open now and will remain open until it is filled. The preferred start date is February 2026, with flexibility for a later start.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

● Develop a deep understanding of the context of post-secondary options for Ethiopian students, including how the Ethiopian national curriculum, the Grade 12 National Exam results, and HMA’s academic and co-curricular programs impact national and international college admissions, matriculation and success

● Assist in teaching HMA’s Grade 11 college counseling classes, with a focus on helping students understand their own passions and strengths, gain knowledge about both

national and international pathways, and evaluate the skills and knowledge they will need to acquire, and how, in connection with their desired college and/or career pathways

● Engage regularly with families of all students about post-secondary options, including the expectations and opportunities of those options

● Assist in strengthening HMA’s college counseling curriculum to further prepare students for standardized testing, college essay composition and other college admission requirements

● Support Grade 12 students in submitting university applications, identifying and applying for scholarships, completing financial aid documents and fulfilling other requirements

● Assist Grade 10 and Grade 11 students in finding, applying for, and engaging in summer enrichment opportunities that expand their experiences, including internships with employers

● Work closely with faculty, school administration and the broader HMA community to strengthen the network that provides each student with the resources, guidance and support they need

● Support students traveling for international summer or university opportunities with visa applications, visa appointments and other needs associated with international travel

● Stay informed about global admissions trends to deliver current and accurate guidance to students and families

● Make connections with admissions officers from a variety of international colleges and universities, including visiting colleges and universities as may be determined by the school

● Actively build and maintain professional relationships within Ethiopia (e.g., with Education USA, other college counselors) and across Africa through the HALI Access Network, fostering a strong professional community of collaboration and support

● Assist with on-site standardized testing, including HMA’s administration of the SAT, AP Exams and Duolingo testing

● Help design and implement a comprehensive plan for how HMA will support students after they graduate, including the establishment of an HMA Alumni Association

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS

● Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university

● 5+ years of experience working in a college admissions office, a college counseling office at a secondary school or other relevant experience

● English language fluency with strong writing skills

● Excellent computer and data management skills, including proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Office

QUALIFICATIONS AND PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

● Commitment to the educational mission of HMA and comfort with a new school environment

● An appreciation for the wide range of individual pathways students can take in their post-secondary journeys and the ability to counsel students in finding a path that will work for them

● Experience helping students identify and apply for summer enrichment opportunities of all kinds (academic, leadership, internships with employers)

● Strong interpersonal and communication skills combined with a high degree of professionalism, diplomacy and discretion

● Willingness to reside on a busy boarding school campus, in school-provided housing. Hybrid arrangement combining time on-campus (minimum of three months) with remote work may be possible under appropriate circumstances.

● Ability to work collaboratively with students and families from diverse regional and socioeconomic backgrounds

● Excellent time management and organizational skills, with attention to detail and ability to establish priorities and follow up on multiple issues in a time sensitive manner

● Demonstrated ability to exercise judgment, think analytically and problem-solve

● Unquestionable high personal integrity

Compensation: Salary and benefits commensurate with experience and time commitment. Includes professional development and travel budget, including to relevant international conferences.

TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter and CV to employment@hmacademy.org

Haile-Manas Academy is a project of Ethiopia Education Initiatives (EEI), a US non-profit with the mission of providing quality education opportunities for talented students and impacting education more broadly. EEI/HMA is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity in the workforce. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.