Assistant Principal Safeguarding Lead - Jan 2027

GEMS Education; Dubai; On-site; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

GEMS International School, Dubai Hills, invites applications for an experienced Assistant Principal – Safeguarding Lead to provide whole-school leadership for safeguarding and child protection.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will champion safeguarding, ensure compliance with GEMS, UAE and KHDA requirements, and collaborate with external agencies to ensure every student feels safe, supported and valued. Start Date: January 2027 (flexibility).

Qualifications

• Experience leading safeguarding programmes and policies.
• Strong knowledge of UAE KHDA requirements.
• Proven ability to work with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience training staff in safeguarding procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for safeguarding across all school phases.
• Oversee safeguarding concerns and complex child protection cases, ensuring referrals and escalation.
• Promote safeguarding culture through preventative education and inclusive practices.
• Lead safeguarding training, professional development and awareness initiatives for staff.
• Collaborate with HR on safer recruitment and staff vetting procedures.
• Drive safeguarding quality assurance, policy reviews and inspection readiness.
• Provide professional guidance to safeguarding leads and pastoral teams.
• Contribute to school-wide strategic planning and wellbeing initiatives.

Skills

Safeguarding leadership

Child protection

Stakeholder collaboration

School leadership

Policy development

Education

M.Ed. / Ed. Leadership

Job description

About GEMS International School, Dubai Hills

Located in the heart of Dubai Hills, GEMS International School (GIS) is a leading IB World School offering the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum.

As the official GEMS Centre of Excellence for Aeronautics, Aviation and Space, GIS combines academic excellence with future-focused learning, preparing confident, globally minded students for success at leading universities worldwide.

Why Join GEMS International School, Dubai Hills?

• Full IB continuum within a collaborative, inquiry-led learning environment.
• Prime location in the prestigious Dubai Hills community.
• Official GEMS Centre of Excellence for Aeronautics, Aviation and Space.
• Exceptional university outcomes, with 100% of the Class of 2024 securing university places and 91% gaining entry to their first-choice institution, andUSD $31.5 million in university scholarships awarded to the Class of 2024.
• A culture that values innovation, wellbeing and professional growth.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and dedicated Assistant Principal – Safeguarding Lead to provide whole-school leadership for safeguarding and child protection at GEMS International School – Dubai Hills.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, reporting to the Senior Vice Principal – Student Life & Culture, you will champion a strong safeguarding culture, oversee child protection practices and ensure compliance with GEMS, UAE and KHDA requirements. Working collaboratively with school leaders and external agencies, you will play a vital role in ensuring every student feels safe, supported and valued.

Start Date: January 2027 (flexibility for a later start for the right candidate)

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for safeguarding and child protection across all school phases, ensuring compliance with GEMS, UAE and KHDA requirements.
• Oversee safeguarding concerns and complex child protection cases, ensuring timely identification, accurate recording, appropriate referrals and effective escalation.
• Promote a strong safeguarding culture through preventative education, student voice, early intervention and inclusive practices that support vulnerable learners.
• Lead safeguarding training, professional development and awareness initiatives, ensuring all staff understand their responsibilities, reporting procedures and professional boundaries.
• Work collaboratively with HR to support safer recruitment, staff vetting, professional conduct and appropriate safeguarding procedures.
• Drive safeguarding quality assurance, policy reviews, audits and school improvement initiatives, ensuring robust systems and inspection readiness.
• Provide professional guidance and support to safeguarding leads, pastoral teams and school leaders, strengthening consistency, accountability and effective multi-agency collaboration.
• Contribute to whole-school strategic planning, critical incident management, student wellbeing initiatives and wider school improvement priorities as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.