School Counsellor (AY 2026–2027) / Citizens School, Dubai, UAE

Purpose of the Role:

The School Counsellor plays a central role in supporting the social, emotional, and mental wellbeing of secondary learners as they navigate the complexities of adolescence, academic challenge, and personal growth. As Citizens School’s Wellbeing Ambassador, the counsellor leads initiatives that promote emotional intelligence, resilience, and belonging. This role ensures wellbeing is a lived experience across all areas of school life aligned with the Citizens vision to inspire, empower, and help every individual thrive.

Key Accountabilities

For Learners

• Provide individual and group counselling to support emotional regulation, self-awareness, and positive peer relationships.

• Address adolescent wellbeing themes including stress management, identity development, digital behaviour, and social connection.

• Support and mentor the Mindful Mantas Team, empowering learners to champion balance, mindfulness, and peer support.

• Design and deliver wellbeing and SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) programs that build empathy, confidence, and resilience.

• Collaborate with mentors, inclusion teams, and heads of year to ensure every learner receives tailored social-emotional support.

• Develop transition and orientation programmes that support learners’ movement through key stages, especially into senior school and post-16 pathways.

For Staff

• Inspire, support and guide staff to integrate wellbeing and SEL practices into everyday learning and pastoral care.

• Facilitate staff wellbeing committee meetings and coordinate initiatives that enhance balance, engagement, and positive mental health.

• Act as a connector between staff and SLT, ensuring staff voices are valued and aligned with the school’s wellbeing vision.

• Provide professional development and one-to-one support to strengthen staff confidence in managing secondary learner wellbeing.

• Lead termly staff wellbeing events and end-of-year activities that reinforce community and morale.

For Parents

• Partner with parents through workshops, coffee mornings, and consultations to strengthen home understanding of adolescent wellbeing.

• Provide guidance on supporting young people through academic pressure, social media influence, and emotional growth.

• Enhance parent-school collaboration through clear communication and shared wellbeing strategies.

• Support the integration and wellbeing of new families and learners entering the Citizens community.

Whole-School Wellbeing Ambassador

• Work as part of a team to design and implementation of a whole-school wellbeing strategy that reflects inclusivity, empathy, and lifelong learning, with a clear focus on secondary development.

• Work with the wellbeing team to organise signature wellbeing events such as Wellbeing Wednesday, Digital Detox Week, Anti-Bullying Awareness, and Mental Health Month.

• Collaborate with learner Year Leads to plan assemblies and campaigns promoting mental health literacy, respect, and emotional growth.

• Input into the KHDA Wellbeing SEF, ensuring alignment with inspection expectations and continuous improvement.

• Review and refine the Wellbeing Policy in collaboration with the wellbeing & leadership team.

• Conduct wellbeing surveys for learners, staff, and parents to assess cultural and emotional climate, using insights to shape future action.

• Celebrate learner-led acts of kindness, service, and resilience, embedding wellbeing as a defining feature of the Citizens identity.

Safeguarding, Inclusion and Wellbeing

Citizens School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We execute rigorous recruitment procedures that ensure all employees and volunteers are suitable to work with children and young adults.

• Share responsibility for safeguarding all members of the school community, taking proactive and preventative measures.

• Uphold all school policies and procedures.

• Work collaboratively to maintain an inclusive culture, free of bias and prejudice, ensuring that every learner feels valued and supported.

• Promote the general progress and wellbeing of all learners and report concerns appropriately.

• Provide guidance and advice to learners on academic, pastoral and social matters.

• Ensure that learners experience a personalised educational programme that supports both academic and emotional growth.

• Support mentors in managing learner behaviour for positive outcomes, aligned with the School’s Behaviour for Learning policy.

• Model professionalism, empathy, and emotional regulation as part of daily conduct.

• Additionally, all staff are required to undertake any other duties that may be allocated, in consultation with the Principal.

Qualifications, Skills & Attributes

• Degree in Counselling, Psychology, Education, or related field (Master’s preferred).

• Professional certification in school counselling, adolescent psychology, or wellbeing support.

• Proven experience in supporting secondary learners through wellbeing, SEL, or pastoral programmes.

• A warm, empathetic, and professional communicator who builds trust with adolescents and families.

• An adaptable, proactive, and positive individual who leads through example and inspires others to prioritise wellbeing.

Professional Standards

• Uphold the safeguarding and child protection policies of Citizens School.

• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in all practices.

• Model wellbeing, balance, and resilience in professional and personal practice.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of adolescent wellbeing trends, research, and best practice in educational psychology. 
  

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit the following documents:

• Completed Citizens TES Application Form

• Up-to-date CV with a recent photograph

• Cover letter outlining your suitability for the role

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Early applications are encouraged.

• Start Date: August 2026

Safeguarding Commitment:

• Citizens School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

• Diversity & Inclusion Statement:

• Citizens School is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment. We value applications from all backgrounds, cultures, abilities, and perspectives, and strive to build a team where diversity is respected and celebrated.