IB MYP/DP Instructional Leader for Language Acquisition and Teacher

The International School of Helsinki (ISH) is a vibrant, inclusive, and non-profit learning community offering education to students aged 4 to 18 through the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum. Located in Finland’s capital, ISH fosters a global mindset and prepares students for the complexities of the modern world. Our community brings together over 100 staff members and 500 students from diverse cultures and nationalities. Driven by a mission to connect people and ideas through learning, we provide a global community where curiosity, courage, and care empower every student to grow and shape a changing world.The school seeks to appoint an energetic and visionary Instructional Leader to lead the Language Acquisition department across both the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). This role combines strategic instructional leadership with teaching responsibilities in MYP and DP Language Acquisition. This is a full-time, permanent position within our IB World School, where inquiry-driven learning, academic rigor, critical thinking, and global citizenship are at the heart of the educational experience. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping teaching and learning across the continuum, fostering innovation, and ensuring excellence in programme implementation. Key Instructional Leader ResponsibilitiesProvide strategic leadership for the Language Acquisition Faculty, setting a clear vision for excellence and curriculum development aligned with the IB continuum. In this role, you will champion our school's vision to be a community where every student is known, inspired, and challenged. Drive pedagogical innovation and instructional excellence, inspiring and empowering faculty to implement data-driven, research-informed, and student-centred practices that enhance engagement, conceptual understanding, and authentic learning.Ensure coherent vertical and horizontal curriculum alignment (Grades 6–12), safeguarding progression, rigor, and consistency across the MYP and DP programmes.Lead the monitoring and evaluation of instructional quality, using data, classroom observation, student voice, and professional dialogue to ensure high standards of provision and continuous improvement.Actively contribute to and collaborate with the team of Instructional Leaders and the Pedagogical Leadership Team, shaping whole-school teaching and learning strategy and ensuring collective efficacy.Safeguard compliance with IB Programme Standards and Practices, ensuring programme integrity, smooth student transitions across the continuum, and a deep commitment to inclusivity and access.Align faculty goals and instructional strategies with ISH’s strategic vision and long-term priorities, translating whole-school direction into impactful classroom practice.Model exemplary teaching and learning practices, demonstrating deep pedagogical knowledge and credibility as a leader of learning.Lead professional growth through coaching and mentoring, building teacher capacity, reflective practice, and instructional leadership within teams.Cultivate trust-based professional relationships, fostering collaboration, psychological safety, and a positive, high-performing school culture.Promote equity, inclusion, and diversity, ensuring that teaching practices and curriculum design reflect and value the richness of the school community.Engage in ongoing professional reflection and growth, using feedback and evidence to refine leadership impact and sustain continuous improvement.Key Teaching ResponsibilitiesTeach Language Acquisition within the MYP and DP pathways, delivering a rigorous, concept-driven curriculum aligned with IB standards. Experience teaching English, EAL, Finnish, or Spanish would be of interest, and the ability to contribute across more than one language acquisition programme would be an advantage.Design and implement engaging, inquiry-based learning experiences that promote curiosity, conceptual understanding, and meaningful connections to real-world contexts.Cultivate intercultural understanding, global engagement, and international-mindedness, enabling students to explore and appreciate diverse perspectives, identities, and cultures through language learning.Develop students’ confidence and competence as multilingual communicators, fostering the ability to interpret, create, and exchange meaning effectively in a variety of authentic contexts.Differentiate instruction effectively, responding to diverse learning profiles, language needs, and abilities to ensure equitable access and sustained academic growth.Assess student learning using IB criteria-based assessment practices, providing timely, constructive feedback that supports reflection, goal-setting, and continuous improvement.Integrate technology, interdisciplinary learning, and experiential approaches to deepen engagement and strengthen transferable skills.Collaborate actively with colleagues to design coherent, cross-curricular learning experiences that support the holistic development of students across the IB continuum.Maintain a culture of vigilance regarding student well-being, proactively identifying changes in behaviour or engagement and reporting concerns in accordance with the school’s safeguarding policies and procedures.What We OfferThis role provides significant opportunities for professional growth and collaboration within a vibrant international learning community. ISH offers competitive compensation, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment that emphasizes inclusion, wellbeing, and autonomy.SalaryThe minimum salary for the position is €3,800 - €4531.33 per month which applies to teachers with 5 years teaching experience, teaching the minimum full time hours. This includes (i) a monthly stipend of €950.10, plus (ii) salary of a full time teacher. Salary is paid according to the higher of the Private Schools collective agreement or the school’s own salary scale. Qualifications & ExperienceBachelor’s or Master’s degree in Languages, Education, or a related field.Teaching certification and significant (minimum 5 years) experience teaching Languages, preferably in an IB setting or international school. Experience teaching English, EAL, Finnish, or Spanish would be of interest, and the ability to contribute across more than one language acquisition programme would be an advantage.Strong understanding of IB philosophy, inquiry-based learning, and global citizenship education.Ability to foster debate, discussion, and independent inquiry in the classroom.Experience with project-based learning, primary source analysis, and historical inquiry.Excellent communication, adaptability, and classroom management skills.High levels of proficiency in speaking, reading and writing in EnglishChild Protection & SafeguardingISH is committed to the highest standards of safeguarding and promoting the welfare ofchildren and young people. Successful candidates will be asked to sign the school’s Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct, and will need to pass background checks, including police clearance and reference verification.How to ApplyPlease submit the following to employment@ishelsinki.fi:A letter of application explaining your suitability for the role and alignment with ISH’s values and IB inclusion principles.A current CV.Employment DateStart date: The position can start as early as January 2027, with August 2027 being the latest possible start date.*********************************************************************************Statement of Anti-DiscriminationAt ISH, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We actively promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) and ensure equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of gender, ethnicity, nationality, age, physical abilities, sexual orientation, or beliefs.For all positions, a criminal record check as required in § 3 Law of working with children, must be presented by the applicant chosen for the position.