5 Guidance Counselor jobs in the United Arab Emirates

The Opportunity

The Director reports to the Assistant Provost of Student Affairs and provides strategic direction and leadership for the Student Counseling Center as well as the Health Clinics and Wellness Services in Abu Dhabi and Dubai campuses.

The incumbent manages the daily operations of the Student Counseling centers as well as the Health and Wellness Clinics and provides guidance and leadership to the staff at the various centers. A great share of the Director's work time is spent in overseeing clinical work and supervision preparing for events and outreach programming as well as continuously reviewing and developing policies and procedures for meeting the international standards of college counseling services and health clinics as well as towards developing appropriate measures to evaluate the delivery outcomes.

The Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Assistant Provost of Student Affairs, the Director is responsible for the Student Counseling Center & Health Clinics and Wellness Services in Abu Dhabi and Dubai campuses:

• Develops and updates job descriptions, assigns staff duties and responsibilities, and ensures that proper professional development opportunities are in place.
• Oversees the provision of empirically valid and culturally sensitive psychological and counseling services while maintaining confidentiality and high professional standards.
• Liaises with colleges/campus units and student groups to assess the mental health needs of students and develops the services and programs to meet such needs.
• Develops research initiatives to assess student mental health needs and relevant interventions.
• Ensures all staff adhere to ethical and professional standards that emphasize trust, respect, confidentiality, competence, and the welfare of students.
• Identifies professional development needs of clinical and administrative staff and identifies resources to meet the needs.
• Liaises with senior management, academic affairs, and student affairs staff to develop strategies to meet emerging student needs.
• Manages the crisis response system.
• Identifies referrals and relevant resources in the community.
• Strictly adheres to the professional code of ethics set by HAAD and the University.
• Coordinates with other departments/services of Student Affairs, the University at large, and external partners.
• Supervises the clinical and administrative work of the Student Counseling Center staff and counselors & the running of Health Clinics and Wellness Services in both campuses.
• Supports the strategic development of the counseling services & Health Clinics and Wellness Services and ensures future growth in line with best practices and the mission and vision of the University.
• Provides clinical supervision to counselors in keeping with the best practices of the profession and to ensure provision of the highest quality clinical services to students.
• Ensures the availability and provision of Medical services at high professional standards.
• Supervises and oversees the running of student counseling centers and the work of the Doctors and Nurses of the Health Clinics and the Wellness officers across Dubai and Abu Dhabi campuses.
• Evaluates, identifies, and executes the Student Counseling Center & the Health Clinics and Wellness Services Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and strategic objectives in collaboration with the university management and other relevant units.
• Manages and provides direction for the administration of the counseling services & the Health and Wellness services including but not limited to budgeting, staffing, record keeping, policy issues, and others as needed in accordance with Zayed University's policies and procedures on both campuses.
• Develops strategies and policies to promote empirically valid counseling services and best practices for Zayed University students.
• Ensures counseling services provide an atmosphere of trust, confidentiality, and respect to encourage students, parents, faculty, and staff of the University to seek consultation and/or referrals related to students' psychological counseling and other mental health needs.
• Supervises an ongoing outreach program to promote counseling and psychological & Health and Wellness services available to students.
• Develops quality assurance practices to provide evidence of positive outcomes for counseling and outreach services.
• Supervises Student Counseling Center & Health and Wellness staff to ensure proper delivery of all services.
• Oversees the development and operation of a confidential counseling records system.
• Oversees the supervision of counseling, social work, and outreach services.
• Oversees programming to enhance the psychological & health, medical, and wellbeing of students and to maximize students' use of counseling & health clinics and Wellness Services on campus.
• Adopts best practices in the health management & counseling field with the aim of continuous development.
• Ensures the adoption of culturally sensitive counseling and interventions.

The Requirements

Must possess a Ph.D. degree in Counseling Psychology or closely related fields (i.e. clinical school counseling, school psychology) from an accredited institution and 15 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education, skill, or experience.

Relevant licensure or ability to acquire a license in the UAE.

Other essential requirements:

Fluency in Arabic & English preferred.

Awareness and knowledge of UAE culture.

Sensitivity and awareness of college student issues.

Professional organizational membership and engagement in the profession.

Desired or preferred requirements:

Experience working in the higher education environment.

Knowledge of Educational testing and assessment.

Has a license or ability to acquire a license to practice and supervise.

The Benefits

The University's benefits package is highly attractive with competitive salaries free of tax in the U.A.E., cash housing allowance, a one-time furniture allowance, annual vacation, airline tickets for the employee and immediate family, educational subsidies for children, and healthcare provided to the employee and sponsored family members.

While we appreciate all applications, you will be contacted only if you are selected for an interview.

For any inquiries or issues please contact

Required Experience:

Director

A leading Indian curriculum school in Dubai is seeking a qualified and resourceful School Counselor. Interested candidates with a Master's/Bachelor's in Psychology and at least 2 years of school experience can apply.

Should help students overcome problems that impede learning and facilitate students' academic, personal, social, and career development by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program.

• Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive counseling and guidance program to address the social/emotional development needs of all students.
• Conduct needs assessments and utilize data to identify and support targeted areas of need on their campus.
• Implement an effective referral and follow-up process as needed.
• Support teachers in developing and delivering classroom guidance activities and lessons based on the school's guidance counseling curriculum.
• Offer a wide range of counseling services including but not limited to individual and group counseling.
• Provide behavioral counseling to students.
• Develop and implement wellbeing programs across the school.
• Conduct psychological and educational assessments.
• Represent the school wellbeing team on all major programs such as New Students Orientation, Parents Orientation, Registration Open Days, and Careers events.
• Participate in the development of policies, procedures, and manuals guiding the operations and functions of the school.
• Take an active role in interpreting the school's objectives to students, parents, and other stakeholders; confer with parents whenever necessary to determine how best to meet individual students' needs.
• Value and respond to the diversity and individual differences of students.
• Implement behavior/discipline modification plans for grade group cohorts in conjunction with the school leadership team.
• Evaluate areas of strength and advocate for students.
• Perform assessments, interpret tests, and study student records.
• Prepare reports, records, lists, and all other required information and data.

• Master's degree in Psychology with proven working experience in schools.
• Successful full-time teaching experience or successful experience in school guidance and counseling.
• Integrity and professionalism.
• Ability to respond effectively to the needs of a diverse student pool.
• Working knowledge of various counseling models, practices, and resources.
• Engaging interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills.
• Computer literacy.
• Sound judgment and emotional intelligence.

Those interested in applying for the position are required to submit the following:

• Job application accompanied by a detailed resume and a minimum of 2 reference details.
• Copy of academic degrees and job and training certificates.
• Offer is subject to KHDA Ministry of Labour Approval and satisfactory reference checks.

We are looking for experienced School Counselors for Academic Year 2024-2025. The suitable candidate should help students overcome problems that impede learning and facilitate students' academic, personal, social, and career development by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive counseling and guidance program to address the social/emotional development needs of all students.
• Conduct needs assessments and utilize data to identify and support targeted areas of need on their campus.
• Implement an effective referral and follow-up process as needed.
• Support teachers in developing and delivering classroom guidance activities and lessons based on the school's guidance counseling curriculum.
• Offer a wide range of counseling services including but not limited to individual and group counseling.
• Provide behavioral counseling to students.
• Develop and implement well-being programs across the school.
• Conduct psychological and educational assessments.
• Represent the school well-being team on all major programs such as New Students' Orientation, Parents' Orientation, Registration, Open Days, Careers events, etc.
• Participate in the development of policies, procedures, and manuals guiding the operations and functions of the school.
• Take an active role in interpreting the school's objectives to students, parents, and other stakeholders; confer with parents whenever necessary to determine how best to meet individual students' needs.
• Value and respond to the diversity and individual differences of students.
• Implement behavior/discipline modification plans for grade group cohorts in conjunction with the school leadership team.
• Evaluate areas of strength and advocate for students.
• Perform assessments, interpret tests, and study student records.
• Prepare reports, records, lists, and all other required information and data.

Requirements:

• Master's degree in Psychology with proven working experience in schools.
• Successful full-time teaching experience or successful experience in school guidance and counseling.
• Integrity and professionalism.
• Ability to respond effectively to the needs of a diverse student pool.
• Working knowledge of various counseling models, practices, and resources.
• Engaging interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills.
• Computer literacy.
• Sound judgment and emotional intelligence.

Required Documents:

Those interested in applying for the position are required to submit the following:

• Job application accompanied by a detailed resume and a minimum of 2 reference details.
• Copy of academic degrees and job and training certificates.
• Offer is subject to KHDA, Ministry of Labour approval, and satisfactory reference checks.

ADNOC Schools is currently seeking a high-performing School Counselor for the August 2025 start. The current vacancy will be based at ADNOC School, Sas Al Nakhl, located in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

ADNOC Schools are Massachusetts State Curriculum schools in superb facilities Abu Dhabi City and the Western Region of Abu Dhabi Emirate.

The Massachusetts Curriculum is one of the most highly regarded and successful curricula in the United States, with close links to prestigious higher education institutions such as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Graduates of ADNOC Schools receive the American High School Diploma - the standard entry qualification for US colleges and universities.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the highly successful Aldar family of schools and to help shape the future of Abu Dhabi's leading school group.

The successful candidates will be closely aligned with our core values and ethos and possess a genuine understanding and appreciation of the values of the region.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Help students enhance personal, social, and academic growth

• Monitor the progress of individual students

• Make contact with parents to discuss student behavior

• Take steps to prevent bullying and support victims of bullying

• Help students develop job search skills, such as resume writing and interviewing techniques

• Help students understand and deal with social, behavioral, and personal problems

• Emphasize preventive and developmental counseling to provide students with life skills needed to deal with problems before they worsen and to enhance students' personal, social, and academic growth.

• Provide special services such as conflict resolution classes, identify cases of domestic abuse and other family problems that can affect a student's development

• Identifies areas that would be appropriate for intervention in the form of group counseling and regularly forms and leads appropriate groups.

• Utilizes both large (classroom) groups and small groups to make appropriate academic and behavioral interventions.

• Coordinates with the Counsellors regarding career options for students and provides appropriate information to students regarding careers.

• Assists the counselors in providing students with information for career exploration and selection to assist them in making appropriate academic course selections relating to their interests.

• Maintains an appropriate library/database relating to various careers for students to utilize in their career explorations.

• Works with individual students and groups of students in regard to appropriate social development issues.

• Maintains an awareness of cultural influences regarding the social development of adolescents.

• Monitors students who may be at risk in regards to social issues and makes appropriate referrals for interventions outside of school in consultation with parents.

• Maintains confidentiality as professionally appropriate in regards to student well-being.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor Degree in Psychology, Social Worker or Counseling
• Minimum of two years' postgraduate
• Recent and consistent involvement in extra-curricular activities
• Respect for all members of your school community
• Experience with students for whom English is an additional language
• A positive and solution-focused attitude to working life
• A clean enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services or Police check

Application:

A cover letter and CV including details of two referees should be submitted.

WHAT WE OFFER

ADNOC Schools offer an attractive remuneration package. Our future-focused learning model includes both students and staff and so we place a special emphasis on professional development, coaching and training. Successful candidates will have access to a wide network of professionals and opportunities to both lead and contribute to training others as well as developing themselves.

ADNOC School and Aldar Education are keen to hear from like-minded, forward thinking school leaders who would welcome the challenge and opportunities that we have to offer.

APPLICATION

Interested applicants should forward:

• 1 side A4, letter of interest
• Most recent resume/CV

As much as we would be delighted to entertain all applicants, due to the high volume of applications and robust selection process, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted within 10 business days.

ADNOC Schools are committed to the safeguarding of children and young people, and any offer of appointment will be subject to any relevant medical checks and clearance from appropriate safeguarding authorities.