Senior Counselor

Higher Colleges of Technology; Ras Al Khaimah; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Higher Colleges of Technology is seeking a Senior Counselor to provide professional counseling and student support to promote academic success and personal wellbeing. You will handle complex cases, deliver wellbeing workshops, and collaborate with faculty and support services to ensure appropriate interventions.

The role emphasizes confidentiality, ethical practice, and alignment with UAE regulations as part of a comprehensive wellbeing program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or a related discipline.
• Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a related field is preferred.
• Relevant professional counseling certification or license may be required depending on institutional requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential individual and group counseling to students on personal, emotional, social, behavioral, and academic concerns.
• Assess students' needs and provide appropriate counseling, intervention, follow-up, and referral to external specialists where required.
• Manage complex or sensitive student cases in accordance with institutional policies and professional counseling standards.
• Support students experiencing academic pressure, adjustment difficulties, stress, interpersonal concerns, and other wellbeing-related challenges.
• Develop and deliver workshops and awareness sessions on topics such as mental wellbeing, stress management, resilience, study skills, and personal development.
• Work closely with faculty, Student Services, Academic Services, and other relevant departments to identify and support students requiring additional assistance.
• Provide guidance to staff on appropriate approaches for supporting students while maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Maintain accurate and confidential counseling records, case notes, referrals, and related documentation.
• Monitor student progress and conduct appropriate follow-up on active cases.
• Support crisis intervention and escalation processes where there may be concerns regarding student safety or wellbeing.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of student counseling, wellbeing, and support programs.
• Prepare reports and statistics related to counseling activities, trends, and student support interventions while maintaining confidentiality.
• Participate in institutional committees, student engagement activities, orientation programs, and wellbeing initiatives as required.
• Mentor or provide professional guidance to junior counselors where applicable.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, safeguarding requirements, ethical standards, and applicable UAE regulations.

Skills

Counseling

Wellbeing support

Confidentiality

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or related discipline

Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or related field (preferred)

Relevant professional counseling certification/license

Job description

The Senior Counselor is responsible for providing professional counseling, guidance, and student support services to promote students' academic success, personal wellbeing, and overall development. The role also supports complex student cases, contributes to awareness and wellbeing initiatives, and works closely with academic and support teams to ensure appropriate intervention and referral.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide confidential individual and group counseling to students on personal, emotional, social, behavioral, and academic concerns.
• Assess students' needs and provide appropriate counseling, intervention, follow-up, and referral to external specialists where required.
• Manage complex or sensitive student cases in accordance with institutional policies and professional counseling standards.
• Support students experiencing academic pressure, adjustment difficulties, stress, interpersonal concerns, and other wellbeing-related challenges.
• Develop and deliver workshops and awareness sessions on topics such as mental wellbeing, stress management, resilience, study skills, and personal development.
• Work closely with faculty, Student Services, Academic Services, and other relevant departments to identify and support students requiring additional assistance.
• Provide guidance to staff on appropriate approaches for supporting students while maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Maintain accurate and confidential counseling records, case notes, referrals, and related documentation.
• Monitor student progress and conduct appropriate follow-up on active cases.
• Support crisis intervention and escalation processes where there may be concerns regarding student safety or wellbeing.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of student counseling, wellbeing, and support programs.
• Prepare reports and statistics related to counseling activities, trends, and student support interventions while maintaining confidentiality.
• Participate in institutional committees, student engagement activities, orientation programs, and wellbeing initiatives as required.
• Mentor or provide professional guidance to junior counselors where applicable.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, safeguarding requirements, ethical standards, and applicable UAE regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or a related discipline.
• Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a related field is preferred.
• Relevant professional counseling certification or license may be required depending on institutional requirements.

Experience

• Typically 5-7 years of relevant counseling or student wellbeing experience.
• Previous experience within a university, college, school, or educational environment is preferred.
• Experience managing complex student cases and providing individual and group counseling.
• Experience delivering wellbeing workshops and awareness programs is desirable.