Deputy Director – Department of Education

The Government of Tokelau invites applications from qualified and experienced
education professionals for the position of Deputy Director, Department of
Education, based on Atafu, Tokelau. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to
educational leadership in a remote and culturally rich environment. The successful
applicant will work closely with the Director of Education to strengthen education
quality, lead strategic planning, and support school improvement initiatives across
Tokelau.

Position Overview

• The Deputy Director reports to the Director of Education and assists in reviewing the Tokelau Education Strategic Plan (TESP) 2020–2025 and developing the next TESP 2026–2030. The role provides operational leadership and support across education planning, policy development, school improvement, and professional learning.

Key Responsibilities

1. Tokelau Education Strategic Plan

• Review achievements, outcomes, and recommendations of the TESP 2020–2025 to inform the development of TESP 2026–2030.
• Support quality assurance in education through improved student achievement, teacher competence, and school-wide improvement aligned with:
• Tokelau Standards for Educationo Teacher Appraisal Policy
• Tokelau National Curriculum
• Consent to Assess NCEA requirements
• Student Management Systems (EDGE/HELIX)
• Implement, monitor, evaluate, and report progress against the TESP 2026–2030.

• Support schools with strategic and annual planning, and monitor improvement processes.
• Assist with NCEA consent-to-assess documentation and compliance.
• Work with the Taupulega and education committees to identify and meet staffing needs.
• Coordinate professional development and training programs for teachers.
• Plan and lead school visits, including coordination, implementation, and reporting.

• Conduct policy development and analysis, including establishing and managing working groups.
• Collect, analyze, and present education data to inform decision-making.
• Provide analytical reports to support research, policy, and resource allocation.
• Monitor and advise on improvements to the EDGE/HELIX student management system.
• Review and revise the National Curriculum Policy Framework.
• Oversee safe management and delivery of ICT and online learning systems.

• Passionate about helping Tokelau’s young people thrive in all environments.
• Commitment to the values and strategic priorities of Tokelau Education.
• Collaborative and cooperative work style.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with community authorities.
• Resilience and adaptability in remote contexts.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a related field.
• Proven leadership in:
  • Strategic planning, monitoring, and evaluation
  • School improvement and curriculum development
  • Teaching, learning, and assessment
  • Policy development and analysis
  • Education standards and staff appraisal
  • Student engagement and achievement
  • Managing NZ Secondary Education Qualifications (NCEA) compliance

• Salary Band 8 (Specialist Scale) on the Tokelau Pay Scale: $41,910 – $57,627 (NZD).

Application Process

• Interested applicants are invited to submit:
• A cover letter outlining suitability for the role
• A current CV
• Three recent and relevant references

If you are interested in applying for this role, please send in your CV with a covering
letter and 3 relevant and recent references. Please address your application and
document to the following persons by 20 th December 2025.

Ms Hatesa Kirifi
Administration & Finance Manager
Department of Education, Atafu
hatesa.kirifi@tokelau.org.nz