Elementary School PYP Music Teacher

School Information and Position Description

Founded in 1964, the International Community School of Addis Ababa (ICS Addis) is a premier, non-profit IB World School serving students from Early Years 3 through Grade 12 on a modern, green campus with state-of-the-art learning spaces in the heart of Ethiopia’s capital. Fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS), the Middle States Association (MSA), and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), and a proud member of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA), ICS delivers the full IB continuum—Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and Career-related Programme (CP). 

Bringing together a diverse student body representing over 80 nations and an international faculty, the school provides a holistic, inclusive, innovative, and inquiry-based education supported by personalized pathways and authentic, real-world applications that inspire creativity and lifelong learning. 

Guided by the Head of School and exceptionally supportive administrative leadership, and "The ICS Mission," ICS nurtures the talents, character, intellect, and personal well-being of every learner while fostering global citizenship and community wellness. 

Underpinned by a strong culture of continuous professional growth, the school deeply values its educators, offering robust development opportunities to empower students to excel academically and thrive as positive contributors in an ever-changing world.

Elementary School Program

The Elementary School at ICS Addis serves approximately 550 students from Early Childhood through Grade 5. Our programme is grounded in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) and is designed around inclusive practice, differentiation, and concept-based learning.

We use the PYP approach to develop interdisciplinary units of inquiry that promote curiosity, critical thinking, collaboration, and meaningful connections across learning. Inclusion is central to our practice, and we use data-driven instruction and a multi-tiered Response to Intervention (RtI) model to identify and respond to individual student needs, providing appropriate support, challenge, and extension.

Teachers collaborate daily to plan learning, develop common formative assessments, monitor student growth, and design responsive interventions and extensions. We partner closely with families and use Toddle, goal-setting, and student-led conferences to communicate learning and celebrate student progress.

Our social, emotional, and behavioral expectations are shaped by the Responsive Classroom framework, IB Learner Profile, and The ICS Way, which together guide us in nurturing caring, principled, reflective, and internationally minded learners. We are committed to developing students who are well prepared to transition successfully into the Middle School and continue their learning journey at ICS.

Elementary School PYP Music Teacher

We are seeking an enthusiastic and creative Elementary School PYP Music Teacher to join our collaborative international school community in Ethiopia. The successful candidate will inspire students to develop musical skills, confidence, and self-expression while fostering a deep appreciation for music from diverse cultures and traditions.

Core Responsibilities

• Teaching & Learning Excellence: Nurture safe, inclusive, and highly creative musical spaces honoring diversity. Design inquiry-based, student-centered music lessons grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and ATL skills, focusing on singing, playing instruments, listening, composing, and performing. Empower young musicians to take creative risks, collaborate, and build personal agency.

• Culture, Community, & Wellbeing: Model global citizenship, mutual respect, and adaptability (The ICS Way). Partner closely with Grade Level Teams and Specialists to build meaningful transdisciplinary connections and integrate music seamlessly into Units of Inquiry. Foster physical safety and digital responsibility while providing safe spaces for artistic vulnerability.

• Beyond the Classroom: Engage in co-curriculars, direct student performances, choirs, ensembles, or musical productions, while deeply honoring local Ethiopian music culture and traditions. Drive professional growth through ongoing research, student performance data, and reflective practice. Model ethical conduct to support school accreditation and policy.

Job Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Music, Music Education, Education, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).

• Certification: Valid teaching certification specializing in Music or Primary Education.

• Experience: Minimum three years of relevant elementary music teaching experience, preferably within an IB PYP international school setting. Ability to play piano/keyboard and lead ensembles or choirs is highly desirable.

• Pedagogy: Expertise in student-centered inquiry, differentiated musical instruction, inclusive learning design (UDL) that anticipates learner variability, and purposeful technology integration in the arts.

• Mindset: Strong organizational, time-management, and interpersonal skills to build respectful relationships with students, colleagues, and families in a diverse community.

 Commitment to Child Safeguarding

ICS Addis is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All employees are responsible for recognizing, responding to, and reporting concerns in accordance with ICS safeguarding procedures, and for actively participating in required child protection training and practices. Background checks and reference verification are conditions of employment.

Highly qualified candidates may be interviewed as applications are received. ICS reserves the right to make an appointment before the deadline if an outstanding applicant is identified early in the search process. 

How to apply

As part of the online application, please upload a single PDF packet which includes the following:

• A letter of interest explaining your strengths and why you think you are a good match for the position and our school.
• A current résumé.
• A list of at least four recent referees should be submitted. Contact information should include name, position, current email address, mobile/office numbers, and current (anticipated) time zone. 

ICS Addis will respond briefly to all applications received via this portal. Highly qualified candidates may be interviewed as applications are received. ICS reserves the right to make an appointment before the deadline if an outstanding applicant is identified early in the search process. 

ICS takes safeguarding children very seriously, and all staff will be subject to rigorous checks, and the interview process will include safeguarding and staff conduct.