Competency Framework for Head Teachers and Associated Roles and Responsibilities
Competency 1 : Service Delivery
Is focused on the customer’s needs and the delivery of services to the refugee community
or department within UNRWA.
Objectives
1. Ensures the delivery of
quality inclusive
education services to all
students.
Indicators
1. Sets high expectations and challenging targets,
monitors effectiveness and evaluates learning
outcomes.
2. Leads on effective teaching and learning based
on knowledge of student learning, teaching and
learning theories, and principles of curriculum
enrichment.
3. Facilitates the use of ICT in the implementation
and enrichment of school curricula.
4. Supports inclusive programs for students who
need it.
5. Is responsible for implementing SQA mechanism
and procedures.
2. Develops & maintains
inclusive, safe and
effective learning
environment.
1. Implements effectively the strategies that enable
the school’s physical environment, equipment,
to operate safely, efficiently and effectively.
2. Ensures the safety of students and staff and
addresses emergencies and security concerns.
3. Promotes caring and a learning-friendly school
atmosphere; complies with human rights, child
rights and health.
4. Works with the school community and actively
Roles and responsibilities
Contributes to enhancing teaching and learning. The Head
teacher should, in particular:
 Lead on effective teaching and learning to ensure the
delivery of quality inclusive education services to
students.
 Provide ongoing support to all teachers.
 Set, implement and evaluate, collaboratively with
relevant stakeholders, the School Development Plan
 Manage the implementation of teaching, support
programmes/services (including learning support,
psychosocial counselling, medical referral and special
needs).
 Manage curriculum enrichment, and co-curricular
activities, and ensures alignment with the
curricula/syllabi and timetables.
 Facilitates the use of a variety of strategies to monitor
and evaluate students’ performance and respond to
identified needs.

Support quality assurance systems and school
Quality Review (SQR).
Ensures a safe and effective learning environment. The
Head teacher should, in particular:
 Develop & maintain an inclusive, safe and stimulating
learning environment.
 Maintain ongoing respect for human and child rights,
discipline and morale among staff.
 Liaise with parents and the community to ensure zero
tolerance to violence and corporal punishment.
 Arrange for the effective and efficient administration
involves the local community to ensure zero
tolerance to violence, bullying and corporal
punishment.
Competency 2: Knowledge and understanding
Has the appropriate knowledge to accomplish assigned duties and seeks out knowledge
to improve performance and to understand the purpose of the mission of the Agency and
its importance to the recipients of services.
Objectives
Indicators
3. Demonstrates
1. Regularly evaluates own performance and seeks
knowledge of
to improve it.
teaching and
2. Selects and implements appropriate models for
learning,
supervision and staff development, and applies
management and
the legal requirements for staff performance
leadership.
management.
3. Works collaboratively with others to develop,
implement and evaluate professional development
plans that address staff needs and identify
development goals.
4. Leads, manages and supports his/her staff to
enhance professional development activities,
including the use of appropriate content,
processes, and contexts.
5. Identifies, analyses and resolves problems using
problem solving techniques and decision making
skills.
Competency 3 : Attitude and integrity
Displays a positive attitude towards work, colleagues, the refugee community and the
United Nations, and conducts all duties with the highest level of ethics and honesty.
Objectives
Indicators
4. Acts with
1. Applies UNRWA laws, code of ethics and policies
integrity, fairness and
to support decision making related to school
in an ethical and legal
programs and operations.
manner towards
2. Allocates and manages human and financial
pupils, teachers, staff,
resources according to UNRWA policies and
parents and UNRWA
school priorities.
and maintenance of school premises, equipments and
supplies.
Roles and responsibilities
Improves own performance, supervision and evaluatio of
staff and supports their professional development. The
Head teacher should, in particular:





Manage professional development activities of school
staff in cooperation with Education Specialist.
Encourage teachers’ mutual support and cooperation to
improve their practice.
Assess the training needs of school staff and manage
and evaluate their performance and behaviour. .
Implement appropriate models for instructional
supervision.
Ensure the development of overall performance of the
school through linkages with relevant stakeholders.
Roles and responsibilities
Displays and promotes integrity, fairness and an ethical
and legal behaviour. The Head teacher should, in
particular:

Support principles and practices of school quality
assurance.

Ensure appropriate school budgeting, financial
senior officers.
3. Models professionalism and promotes the highest
standard of conduct, ethical principles and integrity
in decision making, actions, and behaviour.
4. Applies legal guidelines to protect the rights of
students and staff, and creates a democratic
school society.
5. Acts fairly towards school community (students and
staff).
Competency 4 : Relationships and communications
Develops and maintains good relationships with subordinates, peers, superiors and
external people and agencies of interest.
Objectives
Indicators
5. Communicates and
1. Regularly communicates with teachers, students,
collaborates
and parents including through meetings.
appropriately with
2. Communicates regularly with the administration
school community
and the school community to update them on
(students, staff,
school progress and performance.
parents) UNRWA
3. Develops strategies for effective internal and
senior staff, and
external communications to shape outcomes and
community members).
achieve results.
4. Builds consensus and manages conflict within the
school community.
5. Acknowledges and celebrates the contribution of
students, staff, community, towards realisation of
school vision.
Develops good networks and maintains links with the
wider education community and other programs of the
Agency, NGOs, government institutions, child centres
to support students’ learning and development of the
whole school.
Competency 5: Leadership and Management
Ensures appropriate allocation of work to staff and use of resources, motivates staff, and
provides adequate direction for accomplishing the mission of the Agency.
Objectives
Indicators



management, and resource utilization in line with
UNRWA approved policies, processes, and
procedures.
Promote, by his/her example, professionalism, and
the highest standards of conduct, ethical principles
and integrity.
Protect the rights of students and staff.
Advocate in a fair manner for students, teachers and
the community.
Roles and responsibilities
Communicates and collaborates effectively with the school
community (including teachers, students, parents, the
administration, and other community members). The Head
teacher should, in particular:
 Communicate and collaborate effectively with the
community including the school council, teachers,
students, the student parliament, parents, the
administration, community leaders, NGOs and other
relevant organisations .
 Undertake appropriate action to promote enhanced
engagement in educational activities.
Roles and responsibilities
6. Applies principles of
effective leadership and
management in
developing a shared
vision, motivating staff
and deploying financial
and physical resources.
1. Develops a shared school vision and creates a
plan for implementing it based on accurate data.
2. Involves all stakeholders in the planning process,
and collaborative development of a shared vision.
3. Uses appropriate management techniques and
tools to maximize attainment of school goals.
4. Optimises staff performance by continuously
motivating and encouraging them.
5. Distributes leadership throughout the school and
influences others to display mutual support for goal
attainment.
6. Deploys physical and financial resources
transparently and effectively to achieve the school
goals.
Leads and manages the school appropriately, building a
shared vision and ensuring appropriate school budgeting
and financial management, staff and resource utilization,
and ICT use. The Head teacher should, in particular:
 Develop a shared, evidence-based school vision and
related implementation plan focused on teaching and
learning.
 Maximise attainment of school goals through
appropriate planning and staff organization.
 Motivate and energize staff members.
 Empower others to participate in decision making,
positive change and innovation, mutual support, and
continuing professional development.