Adjunct Teaching Assistant, Leadership and Public Speaking

New York University; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An esteemed international university in Abu Dhabi seeks a Teaching Assistant for the Leadership and Public Speaking course. The role involves supporting the delivery of the course for Summer Academy students, providing feedback, and assisting in academic activities. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree, commitment to effective teaching, and experience in multicultural environments. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a prestigious academic program over a five-week summer session.

Qualifications

• Commitment to effective teaching in diverse settings.
• Supervisory experience with high school students.
• Ability to assist in planning prior to classes.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of the LPS course for students.
• Assist in class with group work and presentations.
• Provide regular feedback to students.

Skills

Effective teaching

Cross-cultural supervision

Communication

Leadership skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Degree in Communications, Leadership or related subject

Job description

Program Overview

The NYU Abu Dhabi Summer Academy is an 18-month university preparation program designed to enhance the academic profiles of highly motivated Emirati high school students. The program features intensive instruction in Leadership and Public Speaking, Critical Thinking and Writing, Mathematical Reasoning for the Sciences, College Readiness and Success, and IELTS Preparation over the course of two summers and an intervening academic year.

Following a competitive admissions process up to 90 program participants are selected each year as recipients of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholarships for Outstanding High School Students which enables them to attend the Summer Academy.

Students are exposed to a rich cultural and rigorous academic program which enhances their ability to gain admission to and perform well at top‑tier English‑language universities. The program begins during the summer following the 10th year of high school and continues for the following 18 months with two intensive summer sessions of study in Abu Dhabi at the NYUAD, with students also participating in online study and academic refresher weekends during the following academic year.

Program Goals

University Preparation

Students gain the academic, cultural and social skills necessary for success at top-tier universities. Summer Academy graduates have attended Yale, NYU New York, NYU Abu Dhabi, Princeton, United Arab Emirates University, The London School of Economics, George Washington University, King's College London, The University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School and many others.

Academic Preparation

We introduce students to accelerated study of mathematics, critical thinking and writing, the humanities and to the value of a liberal arts education.

Cultural Awareness

Students develop their understanding of the social and cultural norms of universities and build useful intercultural competencies for success in university.

Test Preparation

We prepare students to excel on the standardized tests necessary for university entry.

Leadership and Public Speaking Skills

With Leadership and Public Speaking as a required course in the Summer Academy our program spurs confidence, personal growth, maturity and leadership skills.

Social Networking

We bring together top students from across the UAE who form a supportive and challenging social network among themselves and with Summer Academy alumni who have gone on to university study, graduate school, professions and leadership careers.

Job Summary

The Teaching Assistant for the Leadership and Public Speaking (LPS) course will support course delivery for up to two sections of Summer Academy students – students in their first summer of the program and students in their second summer of the program (Summer I and Summer II). The Teaching Assistant will also support programmatic activities throughout the length of the appointment (including weekends).

Length of Appointment

• Approximately two mandatory meetings before the summer session starts for orientation activities
• Summer Session duration: Five weeks from approximately July 6 to August 7 2026

Principal Responsibilities

The job’s activities in terms that enable someone who knows nothing about the job to understand what is done in each activity.

• Support the delivery of the LPS course for two sections – the Classes of 2026 (Summer II) and 2027 (Summer I) in Abu Dhabi
• Under the supervision of the LPS specialist(s) meet students individually or in small groups during study halls, meals, breaks or in the evenings to assist with reviewing classroom instruction and homework assignments
• Attend any pre‑program meetings and/or training sessions
• Assist the LPS specialist(s) in class with group work and with judging presentations as necessary
• Be available to individual students and groups in need of assistance as well as to specialists undertaking cross‑curricular or collaborative projects
• Provide students with ongoing and regular feedback (oral and written) during the course
• Participate in faculty meetings by providing detailed feedback on student progress
• Report any instances of student misconduct, academic performance concerns or health issues to the Summer Academy administration
• Contribute to the overall collegial atmosphere of the Summer Academy
• Attend and provide assistance as needed with co‑curricular events and activities throughout the summer session which will entail leading small groups of students on excursions and trips or supporting the operations of the program as needed
• Oversee and support students during assigned day trips, extracurricular evening activities and events ensuring a safe and engaging environment that promotes learning and development

About NYU Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the first comprehensive liberal arts and research campus in the Middle East to be operated abroad by a major American research university. Times Higher Education ranks NYU among the top 30 universities in the world, making NYU Abu Dhabi the highest‑ranked university in the UAE and MENA region. NYU Abu Dhabi has integrated a highly selective undergraduate curriculum across the disciplines with a world center for advanced research and scholarship. The university enables its students in the sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities and arts to succeed in an increasingly interdependent world and advance cooperation and progress on humanity’s shared challenges. NYU Abu Dhabi’s high‑achieving students have come from over 120 countries and speak over 100 languages. Together NYU’s campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai form the backbone of a unique global university giving faculty and students opportunities to experience varied learning environments and immersion in other cultures on one or more of the numerous study‑abroad sites NYU maintains on six continents.

NYUAD is committed to upholding a culture of non‑discrimination, anti‑harassment, dignity and mutual respect; providing equal access and opportunity; and fostering academic excellence in learning, research and teaching.

Students are drawn from among the world’s best. They are bright, intellectually passionate and committed to building a campus environment anchored in mutual respect, understanding and care. The NYUAD undergraduate student body has garnered an impressive record of scholarships, graduate‑school admissions and other global honors. Graduate education is an area of growth for the University; the current graduate student population of over 100 students is expected to expand in the next decade as doctoral programs are developed.

Qualifications must support the essential functions and serve as the primary criteria for selecting candidates

Required Education, Certifications, Licensing or Training

• Bachelor’s degree
• Availability to teach in Abu Dhabi during the dates listed above
• Ability to provide some online instruction during the dates listed above if necessary

Preferred Education, Certifications, Licensing or Training

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Leadership or related subject
• High‑school or college‑level experience teaching in English

Required Work and Related Experience

• Demonstrated commitment to effective teaching in cross‑cultural or global learning environments.
• Experience supervising high school students in a co‑curricular setting (i.e., school or after‑school program)
• Availability to assist with the planning of the program prior to the start of classes

Preferred Work and Related Experience

• Work or internship experience teaching English as an additional language
• Familiarity with online and face‑to‑face instruction

Required Experience:

Junior IC