I am interested in teaching at UIS. How does the process work?
Teaching at UIS is more than just a “job!”
It’s a calling to be on mission with God! All UIS Faculty members partner with churches, family, and friends “back home” to provide the prayer and financial support that allows them to be on the mission field. Because UIS does not pay a salary to faculty members, we are able to keep our tuition very low, especially for our local missionaries, helping them to more easily afford the quality Christian education that UIS provides. You can click here to see our most pressing needs.
Need more information?
We are always eager to hear from qualified, committed teachers who have a heart for God, for children, and for missions. If you feel that God may be pulling you in the direction of teaching overseas, and you’d like more information about the application process, you can complete this Inquiry Form and a TeachBeyond representative will contact you. At any point in the process, feel free to contact us directly or make an appointment to have a conversation with us to ask questions or learn more about the school! If you have a relationship with a different sending agency and you’re hoping to come with them, please don’t hesitate to contact us to learn whether or not we have an existing agreement with that agency.
Ready to Apply?
You will first submit your application to become a member of TeachBeyond (or other approved sending agency). A TeachBeyond mobilizer will walk you through the process from application to assignment. Once you have been accepted by TeachBeyond, they will contact the recruiters at SIL-PNG (UIS is a department of SIL-PNG). The SIL-PNG recruiters will then be in contact with you and help you make sure that Ukarumpa is a good fit for you! They will also communicate with the school about where you are in the process. At that point, you will have a formal interview (usually over Zoom) with the School Director and/or one of the UIS Principals. When everyone agrees that UIS is a good fit for you and you are a good fit for UIS, you will be issued an invitation from SIL-PNG to come to PNG! (If you do not already have a passport, make sure and apply for one now!)
Build your Partnership team!
We’re excited you’re coming! But it’s important to remember that none of us could be here on the mission field without the prayer and financial partnership of people back home, primarily friends, family members, and churches. This is your opportunity to share God’s calling, what He is doing in PNG and at UIS, and invite them to partner with you to be an integral part of that exciting opportunity! Seek out opportunities to share, both in large groups and one-on-one. You don’t need to be afraid of it. Partnership Development really is a transformational pre-field ministry, so we encourage you to settle in and joyfully walk with Jesus through the process! When God wants you here, He will make it happen.
Complete paperwork for important government documents
The SIL-PNG Work Permit and Visa office will send you instructions and paperwork necessary for you to apply for a PNG Work Permit and Visa. These are separate applications, and each can take several weeks, so stay on top of it! Once your Work Permit and then Visa are approved, you will send your passport and some paperwork to the nearest PNG Embassy in your country. They will return it with your visa inside!
Attend Orientation
TeachBeyond offers Orientation once per year in the United States/Canada and the United Kingdom. If you are unable to attend one of these, a TeachBeyond mobilizer will talk to you about participating in a Global Virtual Orientation. These opportunities will help orient you to the inner workings of TeachBeyond and also provide a foundational orientation to what it’s like to teach cross-culturally.
Pack your bags; it’s time to go!
Once your partnership team is complete and you have the go-ahead from TeachBeyond, SIL-PNG, and UIS, it’s time to go to Papua New Guinea! UIS teachers come and go at the semester breaks (June/July or December/January), so please work with your UIS administrative contact to plan the best arrival time for your situation. You will definitely want to be here at least couple weeks before school starts, and possibly earlier, depending on the needs of the school. Also, depending on how long you’re planning to stay in PNG, you may be asked to participate in one of the Papua New Guinea Orientation Courses (PNGOC) provided by SIL-PNG. This course is well worth your time and provides a solid foundation of language and culture. It is an excellent way to make sure you’re prepared for a productive and enjoyable time here. SIL-PNG Recruiters will communicate with you about the timing of these courses.
Feel free to ask us any questions along the way! We look forward to welcoming you to PNG!
"Teaching at UISSC has been the most rewarding and amazing opportunity I've ever had. I can be investing in the lives of students, pointing them to Jesus, while their parents are translating God's Word into different languages and pointing others to Christ. Together, we are partnering in building God's Kingdom, from every tribe and tongue. It is humbling to be even a small part of what the LORD is doing here in Papua New Guinea."
~ Kathy, UIS Teacher