Director - Student Counseling Center

PsyDin; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Zayed University in Abu Dhabi invites applications for a full-time Mental Health Program Director at the Abu Dhabi and Dubai campuses. The role provides strategic direction for Student Counseling Center, Health Clinics and Wellness Services, guiding staff and clinical services.

Reporting to the Assistant Provost of Student Affairs, you will oversee operations, staffing, policy development, crisis response, outreach, and research initiatives to meet international standards of college counseling.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology or closely related field from an accredited institution.
• 15 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education, skill, or experience.
• Licensure in UAE or ability to acquire license.
• Fluency in Arabic and English preferred.
• Awareness of UAE culture and college student issues.
• Professional organizational membership and engagement.

Responsibilities

• Develop and update job descriptions, assign staff duties, and ensure professional development
• Oversee provision of empirically-valid and culturally-sensitive psychological and counseling services
• Liaise with colleges/campus units to assess mental health needs of students
• Develop research initiatives to assess student mental health needs
• Ensure all staff adhere to ethical and professional standards
• Manage the crisis response system
• Identify referrals and relevant resources in the community
• Supervise clinical and administrative work of SCC staff and counselors
• Support strategic development of counseling services & Health Clinics
• Provide clinical supervision to counselors
• Ensure availability and provision of Medical services at high professional standards
• Manage budgeting, staffing, record keeping, and policy issues
• Develop quality assurance practices for positive outcomes
• Supervise an ongoing outreach program
• Adopt best practices in health management & counseling field

Skills

Arabic language

English language

Education

Master's degree in Counseling Psychology or closely related field

15 years of relevant experience

Licensure in UAE or ability to acquire license

Fluency in Arabic & English preferred

Awareness of UAE culture

Sensitivity to college student issues

Professional organizational membership

Job description

Ghulam Qadir

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates full-time

Mental Health Program Director

Employer: Zayed University

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (Main Campus, with Dubai campus oversight)

Job ID: 80

Posted: June 4, 2026

Department: Student Counseling Center

Type: Full‑Time

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. Manages daily operations and provides guidance and leadership to staff. Oversees clinical work and supervision, events and outreach programming, policy development, and meeting international standards of college counseling services.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and update job descriptions, assign staff duties, and ensure professional development
• Oversee provision of empirically-valid and culturally-sensitive psychological and counseling services
• Liaise with colleges/campus units to assess mental health needs of students
• Develop research initiatives to assess student mental health needs
• Ensure all staff adhere to ethical and professional standards
• Manage the crisis response system
• Identify referrals and relevant resources in the community
• Supervise clinical and administrative work of SCC staff and counselors
• Support strategic development of counseling services & Health Clinics
• Provide clinical supervision to counselors
• Ensure availability and provision of Medical services at high professional standards
• Manage budgeting, staffing, record keeping, and policy issues
• Develop quality assurance practices for positive outcomes
• Supervise an ongoing outreach program
• Adopt best practices in health management & counseling field

Education & Experience

• Master's degree in Counseling Psychology or closely related fields (clinical, school counseling, school psychology) from an accredited institution
• 15 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education, skill, or experience
• Relevant licensure or ability to acquire license in the UAE
• 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

• Experience working in higher education environment
• Knowledge of Educational testing and assessment
• Has license or ability to acquire license to practice and supervise