Director-Student Counseling Center

Zayed University; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Director for the Student Counseling Center and Health Clinics. This pivotal role involves providing strategic direction, overseeing clinical operations, and ensuring high-quality counseling services across campuses. The ideal candidate will possess a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and extensive experience in mental health services, with a commitment to culturally sensitive practices. Join a forward-thinking institution that values student well-being and fosters an inclusive environment, offering a comprehensive benefits package including tax-free salaries, housing allowances, and educational subsidies. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact on student health and wellness.

Benefits

Tax-free salary

Cash housing allowance

One-time furniture allowance

Annual vacation

Airline tickets for employee and family

Educational subsidies for children

Healthcare for employee and family

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology with 15 years of experience required.
• Fluency in Arabic & English preferred, with knowledge of UAE culture.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations of Student Counseling Center and Health Clinics.
• Develop and implement policies for counseling services and wellness.
• Manage crisis response and ensure adherence to professional standards.

Skills

Psychological Counseling

Crisis Management

Policy Development

Cultural Sensitivity

Research Initiatives

Education

Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology

Job description

Description

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