School Counselor

iCademy Middle East; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

iCademy Middle East is seeking a Hub School Counselor to provide in-person counseling, guidance, and wellbeing support at Knowledge Hub and Silicon Oasis Hub in Dubai. You will address social, emotional, behavioral, academic, and personal needs to create a safe and inclusive learning environment.

You will collaborate with Learning Coaches, Academic Advisors, teachers, parents, and school leadership, contribute to safeguarding, and help design preventative wellbeing initiatives across both hubs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in psychology, counseling, school counseling, or related field; master’s preferred.
• 3–5 years of relevant school counseling experience.
• Knowledge of child safeguarding, counseling techniques, and student wellbeing.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and ability to work with diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide in-person individual counseling to students with social, emotional, behavioral, academic or personal challenges.
• Conduct small-group counseling sessions based on student needs.
• Identify students needing additional support and develop intervention strategies with stakeholders.
• Promote emotional resilience, positive relationships, and responsible decision-making.
• Support students through transitions between school levels and coordinate with safeguarding personnel.
• Collaborate with parents, teachers, and school leaders to implement student support plans.
• Maintain confidential counseling records and contribute to program development.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s in Psychology or Counseling

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

Counseling documentation platforms

Job description

iCademy Middle East is a private, US-curriculum online school serving students from Kindergarten through Grade 12 across the Arabian Gulf region and neighboring countries. We are part of the Pansophic Learning group and have been based in Dubai since 2007. We successfully educate over 1400 students and have enrolled over 6000 students. We have over 80 online teachers who are certified subject specialists, based regionally and in the US and Europe.

iCademy Middle East offers an internationally recognized curriculum designed for high interactivity, flexibility, and individualized learning pathways. Students who meet iCademy Middle East’s graduation requirements are eligible to receive a U.S.-accredited diploma. In addition to international and U.S. accreditations, iCademy Middle East is licensed by Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and is accredited with NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) and provide NCAA eligible courses for athletes.

iCademy Middle East combines rigorous academic standards with accessible online education to support diverse learner needs.

Job Type: Full-Time (in-person)

Reports to: Head of School / Principal (dotted line to Hub Manager)

Work Location: Knowledge Hub and Silicon Oasis Hub

Position Overview

The Hub School Counselor is responsible for providing in-person counseling, guidance, and wellbeing support to students attending the Knowledge Hub and Silicon Oasis Hub. The role focuses on addressing students’ social, emotional, behavioral, academic, and personal needs while promoting a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment.

The Hub School Counselor works closely with Learning Coaches, Academic Advisors, teachers, parents, school leadership, and the Online School Counselor to identify student needs, coordinate appropriate interventions, and support students’ overall development and wellbeing. The role also contributes to child safeguarding, preventative counseling, and the continuous improvement of student support services across both hubs.

Key Responsibilities

Student Counseling and Wellbeing

• Provide individual, in-person counseling to students experiencing social, emotional, behavioral, academic, or personal challenges.
• Conduct small-group counseling sessions based on student needs identified by Learning Coaches, Academic Advisors, teachers, parents, or school leadership.
• Identify students who may benefit from additional counseling support and develop appropriate intervention strategies in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Promote students’ emotional resilience, self-awareness, positive relationships, responsible decision-making, and effective coping strategies.
• Support students in managing interpersonal conflicts, emotional difficulties, behavioral concerns, and challenges related to their learning experience.
• Provide guidance to students experiencing difficulties with motivation, engagement, adjustment, or academic progress, in collaboration with the relevant school team.
• Support students during key educational transitions, including the move from Elementary to Middle School and from Middle School to High School.
• Refer students to external counselors, specialists, or professional services when needs extend beyond the scope of school-based counseling.

Student Support and Collaboration

• Work closely with Hub Manager, Learning Coaches, Academic Advisors, Teachers, and School leadership to identify students requiring counseling or additional wellbeing support.
• Collaborate with parents and families, as appropriate, to address student concerns and promote consistent support strategies.
• Coordinate with the Online School Counselor to ensure continuity of support between in-person hub services and online counseling services.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of student support plans, interventions, and follow-up strategies.
• Observe student interactions and wellbeing within the hub environment and proactively identify concerns requiring counseling or further assessment.
• Promote positive behavior, respectful relationships, inclusion, and a supportive school culture across both hubs.

Child Safeguarding and Protection

• Uphold and implement the school’s Child Safeguarding and Protection policies, procedures, and reporting requirements.
• Identify, document, and promptly report safeguarding concerns in accordance with school procedures and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Respond appropriately to disclosures or concerns relating to student safety, wellbeing, abuse, neglect, bullying, or other forms of harm.
• Collaborate with the designated safeguarding personnel and school leadership to ensure appropriate follow-up and support for students at risk.
• Deliver or support child safeguarding awareness and professional development sessions for faculty and staff, as assigned.
• Promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive hub environment in which students feel comfortable seeking help.
• Maintain professional boundaries and handle sensitive information in accordance with confidentiality, safeguarding, and data protection requirements.

Preventative Counseling and Wellbeing Initiatives

• Plan and deliver in-person counseling activities, workshops, and awareness sessions addressing social-emotional learning, mental health awareness, positive behavior, relationships, and life skills.
• Develop and implement preventative strategies to address common student concerns and promote positive wellbeing across the hubs.
• Support school-wide initiatives related to student wellbeing, inclusion, anti-bullying, conflict resolution, and positive school culture.
• Contribute counseling insights and recommendations to relevant school initiatives and student support programs.
• Collaborate with the Online School Counselor to align in-person initiatives with the wider school counseling program and ensure consistency in messaging and support.

Communication and Professional Collaboration

• Communicate effectively with students, parents, Learning Coaches, Academic Advisors, teachers, and school leadership regarding student wellbeing and support needs.
• Participate in counseling meetings, student support discussions, safeguarding meetings, and school planning sessions as required.
• Maintain regular communication with the Online School Counselor regarding relevant student needs, referrals, and coordinated support, while respecting confidentiality and appropriate information-sharing protocols.
• Contribute to the development, review, and continuous improvement of counseling procedures and student support services.
• Participate as a member of the school administrative team and support the wider objectives and development of the school.

Documentation and Professional Practice

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential counseling records, case notes, referrals, and follow-up documentation.
• Document counseling interventions and student support plans in accordance with school policies and professional standards.
• Ensure counseling records and sensitive information are stored securely and shared only with authorized personnel when appropriate.
• Monitor student progress and review the effectiveness of counseling interventions, adjusting support strategies as necessary.
• Maintain professional knowledge of school counseling practices, child development, safeguarding, and student wellbeing.
• Participate in relevant professional development opportunities to strengthen counseling skills and support effective practice.

Role Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Counseling, School Counseling, or a related field. A Master’s Degree in Counseling, School Counseling, or Counseling Psychology is preferred
• 3-5 years of relevant experience in school counseling, preferably in a school-based or educational setting
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development, counseling techniques, social-emotional learning, and student / staff / parent wellbeing
• Understanding of child safeguarding and protection procedures, including appropriate reporting and referral processes
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal, listening, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills
• Ability to work effectively with students, parents, educators, and multidisciplinary school teams
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Experience using student information systems, databases, and counseling documentation platforms is preferred
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound professional judgment, and manage sensitive student matters appropriately
• A high level of empathy, professionalism, discretion, organization, and commitment to student wellbeing
• Ability to work across both the Knowledge Hub and Silicon Oasis Hub as required