Assistant Principal - Safeguarding Lead

Gems Education UAE; Dubai; On-site; AED 441,000 - 661,000; Full time

Job summary

GEMS International School - Dubai Hills seeks an experienced Assistant Principal - Safeguarding Lead to provide strategic and operational leadership for safeguarding across the school, ensuring UAE and KHDA compliance while fostering a safe, inclusive learning environment for every student.

Reporting to theSenior Vice Principal, you will collaborate with safeguarding teams, HR and external agencies to ensure best practice, oversee child protection procedures and lead staff development in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and a recognised teaching qualification (PGCE, BEd or equivalent).
• Postgraduate degree or educational leadership qualification is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for safeguarding and child protection across all school phases.
• Ensure safeguarding procedures comply with GEMS Education policies, UAE requirements and KHDA regulations.
• Lead safeguarding training and awareness initiatives for staff.
• Oversee safer recruitment procedures and staff vetting in collaboration with HR.
• Manage safeguarding risk, policy reviews and quality assurance; support incident management and professional development.

Skills

Safeguarding leadership

DSL experience

Stakeholder collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree + teaching qualification (PGCE/BEd)

Postgraduate degree or educational leadership qualification desirable

Job description

Assistant Principal - Safeguarding Lead - Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Industry: Primary-Secondary Education - Function: School-College Administration - Experience: Proven school leadership experience with substantial safeguarding and child protection responsibilities - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: On-site

Job Purpose

GEMS International School - Dubai Hills is seeking an experienced and dedicated Assistant Principal - Safeguarding Lead to provide strategic and operational leadership for safeguarding and child protection across the school. The preferred start date is January 2027, although a later appointment may be considered for the right candidate. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the successful candidate will lead the development of a strong safeguarding culture, oversee child protection procedures and support the school’s commitment to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for every student.

Reporting to the Senior Vice Principal - Student Life and Culture, the Assistant Principal will work closely with school leaders, safeguarding teams, Human Resources and external agencies to ensure safeguarding practices meet GEMS Education policies, UAE requirements and KHDA regulations. This position requires an accomplished educational leader with extensive safeguarding knowledge, sound professional judgement and the ability to manage sensitive child protection matters with confidentiality, care and integrity.

Job Details

Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Dubai
Industry: Primary-Secondary Education
Function: School-College Administration
Salary: Not disclosed
Gender: No Preference
Candidate Nationality: Not specified
Job Type: Full Time
Work Arrangement: On-site

The Leadership Opportunity

The Assistant Principal - Safeguarding Lead will hold a significant whole-school leadership responsibility, supporting the protection, safety and wellbeing of students across all educational phases. The role combines strategic safeguarding leadership with the effective management of child protection concerns, regulatory compliance, professional training and school improvement. Working within the Senior Leadership Team, the appointed candidate will ensure that safeguarding is embedded in school policies, daily practices and professional expectations. The successful candidate will also provide expert guidance to safeguarding colleagues and pastoral teams, strengthening professional accountability and promoting a consistent approach to student protection.

Key Responsibilities

Safeguarding and Child Protection Leadership

• - Provide strategic and operational leadership for safeguarding and child protection across all school phases.
• - Ensure safeguarding procedures comply with GEMS Education policies, applicable UAE requirements and KHDA regulations.
• - Promote a school-wide culture where student safety, protection and wellbeing remain central priorities.
• - Strengthen safeguarding awareness and professional accountability throughout the school community.
• - Guide school leaders and safeguarding teams in implementing effective child protection procedures.
• - Support the consistent application of safeguarding standards across academic and pastoral activities.
• - Contribute to the ongoing development of a safe, inclusive and supportive educational environment.

Child Protection Case Management

• - Oversee the identification, assessment and management of safeguarding concerns and complex child protection cases.
• - Ensure safeguarding concerns are recorded accurately and addressed within appropriate timeframes.
• - Coordinate referrals to relevant external agencies when required.
• - Oversee the appropriate escalation of safeguarding concerns in accordance with established procedures.
• - Provide professional guidance when managing sensitive child protection matters.
• - Maintain confidentiality and professional discretion when handling safeguarding information.
• - Support effective communication and coordination between school safeguarding personnel and relevant external organisations.

Preventative Safeguarding and Student Wellbeing

• - Promote preventative safeguarding approaches that strengthen student awareness, protection and wellbeing.
• - Support educational initiatives that encourage students to understand safeguarding and personal safety.
• - Ensure student voice contributes meaningfully to the school’s safeguarding culture.
• - Encourage early identification and intervention where students may require additional protection or support.
• - Promote inclusive safeguarding practices that respond appropriately to vulnerable learners.
• - Work collaboratively with pastoral and student support teams to strengthen safeguarding provision.
• - Contribute to whole-school wellbeing initiatives and student support priorities.

Safeguarding Training and Professional Development

• - Lead safeguarding training and awareness initiatives for school employees.
• - Ensure staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities, reporting procedures and professional boundaries.
• - Support professional development activities that strengthen safeguarding knowledge and practical application.
• - Provide guidance to safeguarding leads, pastoral colleagues and school leaders.
• - Encourage consistent interpretation and implementation of safeguarding procedures.
• - Support colleagues in responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
• - Promote a professional culture where safeguarding responsibilities are understood and actively maintained.

Safer Recruitment and Professional Conduct

• - Work closely with the Human Resources team to support safer recruitment procedures.
• - Contribute to safeguarding practices relating to staff vetting and pre-employment screening.
• - Support the implementation of professional conduct expectations and safeguarding procedures.
• - Promote awareness of appropriate professional boundaries and responsibilities.
• - Work with relevant colleagues to strengthen safeguarding compliance throughout recruitment and employment processes.
• - Help ensure safeguarding considerations remain an important part of school personnel procedures.

Safeguarding Compliance and Quality Assurance

• - Lead safeguarding quality assurance activities, policy reviews and relevant audits.
• - Evaluate safeguarding procedures and identify opportunities to strengthen school practices.
• - Support the implementation and review of safeguarding policies in accordance with applicable regulations.
• - Contribute to safeguarding risk management and school improvement initiatives.
• - Ensure safeguarding systems and documentation support regulatory compliance and inspection readiness.
• - Work with school leaders to address identified safeguarding priorities.
• - Promote consistent recordkeeping, accountability and effective application of child protection procedures.

Strategic Leadership and School Improvement

• - Contribute to whole-school strategic planning as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
• - Work with senior colleagues to embed safeguarding and student wellbeing within school improvement priorities.
• - Support critical incident management and appropriate safeguarding responses.
• - Strengthen collaboration between safeguarding teams, pastoral leaders and external agencies.
• - Provide constructive professional guidance and challenge to colleagues at different leadership levels.
• - Support effective decision-making on complex safeguarding matters.
• - Contribute to wider school initiatives that promote student safety, inclusion and educational wellbeing.

Qualifications and Professional Experience

• - A Bachelor's degree and a recognised teaching qualification, such as PGCE, BEd or equivalent.
• - A relevant postgraduate degree or educational leadership qualification is desirable.
• - Proven school leadership experience with substantial responsibility for safeguarding and child protection.
• - Previous experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is preferred.
• - Strong experience managing complex safeguarding concerns and child protection cases.

Leadership Skills and Professional Attributes

• - Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.
• - Strong professional integrity, confidentiality and discretion.
• - The ability to make informed decisions when managing complex or sensitive safeguarding matters.
• - Confidence in guiding, supporting and appropriately challenging colleagues at all levels.
• - Strong understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and professional boundaries.
• - The ability to coordinate effectively with school leaders, families and external agencies.
• - A collaborative approach to leadership and professional development.
• - Effective problem-solving and risk management skills.
• - The ability to remain composed and exercise sound judgement in challenging situations.
• - A commitment to inclusion, student wellbeing and continuous school improvement.
• - A proactive approach to maintaining high safeguarding standards throughout the school.

Professional Development and Career Opportunities

GEMS Education provides a supportive international school environment where educational leaders are encouraged to contribute to professional practice, school improvement and student development. The successful candidate will have opportunities for professional development, collaboration and career progression across the wider GEMS Education network. This leadership appointment also provides the opportunity to contribute directly to safeguarding strategy and student wellbeing within an established IB World School.

Remuneration and Benefits

GEMS Education offers a competitive employment package for this leadership position. Specific salary and benefits details have not been disclosed in the vacancy.

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The organisation aims to maintain safe, supportive and inclusive learning environments where every student can thrive. All employees, volunteers and partners are expected to share this commitment and uphold high standards of professional conduct and child protection. Successful applicants will undergo comprehensive pre-employment checks, including verification of identity, academic and professional qualifications, employment history, professional references and criminal records from relevant countries of residence and employment. Additional screening may include enhanced disclosure, prohibition and barring checks, and overseas police clearances where applicable, in accordance with local and international safeguarding requirements. The appointed Assistant Principal will be expected to demonstrate the highest standards of professional integrity, safeguarding leadership and commitment to student protection.

About GEMS International School - Dubai Hills

GEMS International School - Dubai Hills is an International Baccalaureate World School located in the Dubai Hills community of Dubai. The school offers the full International Baccalaureate continuum within a collaborative, inquiry-led educational environment that promotes academic excellence, international mindedness and future-focused learning. As the official GEMS Centre of Excellence for Aeronautics, Aviation and Space, the school integrates specialist educational opportunities with its broader commitment to innovation and student development. The school reported strong university progression outcomes for its Class of 2024, with 100% of students securing university places and 91% gaining admission to their first-choice institution. The same graduating class received a total of USD 31.5 million in university scholarships. GEMS International School - Dubai Hills promotes a school culture that values educational innovation, inclusion, student wellbeing and professional growth. As part of GEMS Education, the school benefits from a wider international network of educators and educational leaders committed to high-quality teaching, student achievement and continuous improvement.