The Head of Expedition is responsible for developing and overseeing the school’s comprehensive expedition programme. Starting from year three and culminating in year 12, the programme aims to foster an appreciation of the outdoors and the multitude of unique opportunities that are available, supporting physical, emotional, social, and psychological well-being. The programme focuses on developing growth, agency, and leadership through progressive, developmentally challenging yet age-appropriate experiential learning activities that allow all students to not only feel a sense of achievement but also flourish as a result. The Head of Expedition works closely with the Elementary and Secondary School Vice Principals and Principals to ensure the effectiveness of the program for each year level, and with the Director of Teaching and Learning to ensure that the designed programs are aligned with the school's learning curriculum.
Professional Expectations:
Programme Design & Development
- Design an expeditions programme that is challenging, accessible, inclusive, and enriching, meeting the diverse needs of NIST’s student body.
- Ensure progressive learning experiences across year levels that culminate in strong student leadership and advocacy in Year 12.
- Maintain knowledge of experiential outdoor learning opportunities within Thailand and explore possibilities across Asia and globally.
- Continue to consider the best NISTx trip offerings and broader expedition opportunities.
- Maintain all data related, but not limited to, accidents, near misses, and other safety and quality control measures.
External Providers & Partnerships
- Verify that all external providers meet NIST’s required levels of professionalism, safety, and educational quality. This includes contract negotiation and
management, as well as assessing the performance of external service providers.
- Ensure all trips and providers comply with NIST’s safety protocol, child safeguardings and risk assessment expectations.
- Undertake site visits or designate a qualified senior team member to accompany the trip leader, ensuring full familiarisation and a clear understanding of all
aspects of each trip.
Safety, Risk Management & Training
- Provide safety training and clear guidance to faculty, staff, and trip leaders to ensure they possess the necessary knowledge, are prepared, and have the confidence
to act accordingly.
- Support the IA Coordinator by appointing a point person within the Expeditions Team to oversee compliance for the Adventurous Journeys (Bronze, Silver, and
Gold).
- Create and manage a schedule of IA practice and qualifying journeys, and encourage participation from suitably qualified faculty.
- Review, develop, and maintain an Expeditions Risk Management Framework that meets or exceeds industry standards.
Communication & Community Engagement
- Ensure clear and timely communication with faculty/staff, parents, and students, including expectations, itineraries, and updates.
- Maintain up-to-date publications for all expedition and NIST+ trips, including itineraries, dates, and costs.
- Conduct parent information sessions (including webinars) for all trips at the start of the school year (mid to late September).
- Help foster a culture of enthusiasm and appreciation among faculty/staff for the role of expeditions in student personal growth.
Logistics, Finance & Administration
- Work closely with the finance department and external partners to ensure all budgets, logistics, equipment procurement, schedules, travel arrangements, and
learning goals are clearly established.
- Maintain detailed records of student participation, risk assessments, incident reports, and programme evaluations, including post-trip surveys from parents,
students, and staff.
- Hold regular (once per rotation) meetings with the Secondary Leadership Team to share updates on all experiential learning opportunities.
- Coordinate and lead pre-trip meetings with trip leaders, the Vice Principal, and Counsellors to ensure alignment and clarity on all elements of the learning
experience.
- Serve as the primary contact for all trips, or designate the appropriate Expeditions Team member to handle them. During Expeditions Week, act as the base
contact alongside a Senior Leadership Team member (typically the Principal).
Staff Coordination & Training
- Recruit, brief, and supervise staff accompanying expeditions.
- Provide training in risk assessment, outdoor supervision, and emergency procedures to all employees participating in external trips.
- Conduct post-expedition debriefings and evaluations.
NIST aims to be a preeminent school with a mission to inspire growth, empower excellence, and enrich lives.. As such, NIST is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students in our care and expects all applicants to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices, and all appointments are subject to an interview, satisfactory references, identity checks, and criminal record checks.
Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed.
Note: Recruiter asking you to pay for a job? Never pay to get a job. Scams in teaching jobs industry are rampant. Be careful!