Student Counsellor - Academic Centre

BIBF; Manama; On-site; BHD 8,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

RemoteApps co. seeks an Academic Counsellor to provide counselling and guidance to students in Bahrain, addressing programme requirements, course selection, and study planning. The role supports executive functioning, neurodiversity, and wellbeing, coordinating with faculty and support units.

You will maintain confidential records, deliver individual and group sessions, and contribute to retention and student success through assessments and referrals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or Counselling is required.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field is desirable.
• Membership of a relevant professional organization is desirable.
• Knowledge of student counselling, academic advising and higher education systems is desirable.
• More than 4-6 years of experience in academic counselling, student affairs or similar role in a higher education institution.
• Experience in dealing with undergraduate students and academic support services is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic counselling and guidance on programme requirements, course selection, academic regulations, progression pathways, and study planning.
• Provide specialised guidance and support to students with executive functioning difficulties, including organisation, time management, planning, prioritisation, self-regulation, and academic engagement.
• Support students with diagnosed or suspected neurodevelopmental conditions and learning differences through interventions, referrals, accommodation planning, and academic success strategies.
• Support students in understanding and complying with institutional academic policies, procedures, and deadlines.
• Provide one-to-one and group counselling to students experiencing academic, personal, behavioural, emotional or interpersonal challenges affecting their learning and development.
• Respond appropriately to students facing personal difficulties or wellbeing concerns, while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Assess student needs and determine appropriate support strategies, including one-to-one sessions, awareness seminars and referrals to external specialist services.
• Apply neurodiversity-affirming approaches to support students with complex emotional, behavioural, social, or learning needs.
• Facilitate psychoeducational and skills-based interventions for ADHD, ASD, academic burnout, executive functioning, social communication, adjustment to higher education, and related concerns.
• Identify ‘At-Risk’ and ‘Special Needs’ students and implement timely interventions to support retention, attendance, engagement, and academic success.
• Monitor student attendance, academic performance, and engagement indicators, and follow up on concerns.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of student support needs and contribute to individualised support plans.
• Identify indicators of psychological distress, self-harm risk, suicidality, or significant impairment, and initiate intervention and referral procedures.
• Collaborate with academic staff, programme teams, and support units to coordinate student support.
• Liaise with parents, sponsors, and external stakeholders regarding student support matters.
• Plan and deliver workshops and engagement activities related to academic success, wellbeing, and study skills.
• Contribute to student induction, orientation, and transition support activities.
• Provide consultation to faculty regarding neurodiversity, accommodations, and student wellbeing.
• Develop and deliver training and resources related to ADHD, ASD, learning differences, and inclusive practices.
• Maintain confidential records of counselling sessions and progress.
• Prepare reports and analyses related to student counselling and progression.
• Support QA, audits, and reporting requirements for student support services.
• Escalate complex or safeguarding-related matters to management as per protocols.
• Maintain confidentiality and data protection compliance.
• Undertake risk assessments and coordinate referrals for wellbeing concerns.

Skills

Student counselling

Academic advising

Higher education systems

Neurodiversity support

Wellbeing support

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology / Counselling

Master’s degree in a relevant field

Professional organization membership

Job description

Responsibilities

• Provide academic counselling and guidance to potential and current students on programme requirements, course selection, academic regulations, progression pathways, and study planning.


• Provide specialised guidance and support to students experiencing executive functioning difficulties, including challenges related to organisation, time management, planning, prioritisation, self-regulation, and academic engagement.


• Support students with diagnosed or suspected neurodevelopmental conditions and learning differences through appropriate interventions, referrals, accommodation planning, and academic success strategies.


• Support students in understanding and complying with institutional academic policies, procedures, and deadlines.


• Provide one-to-one and, where appropriate, group counselling to students experiencing academic, personal, behavioural, emotional or interpersonal challenges affecting their learning and development.


• Respond appropriately to students facing personal difficulties or wellbeing concerns, while maintaining professional boundaries and acting within the scope of the role.


• Assess student needs and determine appropriate support strategies, including one-to-one sessions, awareness seminars and referral to external specialist services where required.


• Apply neurodiversity-affirming approaches where appropriate to support students with complex emotional, behavioural, social, or learning needs.


• Facilitate psychoeducational and skills-based interventions for students experiencing challenges related to ADHD, ASD, academic burnout, executive functioning, social communication, adjustment to higher education, and related concerns.


• Identify both ‘At-Risk’ and ‘Special Needs’ students and implement timely interventions to support retention, attendance, engagement, and academic success.


• Monitor student attendance, academic performance, and engagement indicators, and follow up on concerns in a timely manner.


• Conduct comprehensive assessments of student support needs and contribute to the development of individualised support plans for students requiring academic accommodations or additional interventions.


• Identify indicators of psychological distress, self-harm risk, suicidality, or significant functional impairment, and initiate appropriate intervention, referral, and follow-up procedures.


• Collaborate with academic staff, programme teams, and relevant support units to coordinate student support and resolve student-related concerns.


• Liaise, where appropriate and in line with institutional procedures, with parents, sponsors, and external stakeholders regarding student support matters.


• Plan and deliver workshops, awareness sessions and student engagement activities related to academic success, wellbeing, resilience, and study skills.


• Contribute to student induction, orientation, and transition support activities.


• Provide consultation and guidance to faculty and staff regarding neurodiversity, reasonable accommodations, student wellbeing concerns, and effective strategies for supporting students with additional needs.


• Develop and deliver training, awareness campaigns, and educational resources related to ADHD, ASD, learning differences, mental health, resilience, executive functioning, and inclusive educational practices.


• Maintain accurate, secure, and confidential records of counselling sessions, action plans, referrals, follow-up activities, and student progress.


• Prepare reports, summaries and trend analyses related to student counselling, progression, retention, and recurring student support issues.


• Support quality assurance, audit, accreditation, and reporting requirements related to student support services.


• Escalate complex, high-risk, or safeguarding-related matters to management or designated specialist services in accordance with institutional protocols.


• Maintain confidentiality, professional ethics and compliance with all applicable institutional policies, safeguarding requirements and data protection obligations.


• Undertake risk assessments and safety planning for students presenting with significant wellbeing concerns, and coordinate referrals to appropriate external mental health, medical, disability support, or specialist services where necessary.


• Undertake any other duties reasonably assigned by the Head of Centre in line with the nature of the role.

Requirements & Experiences

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology / Counselling is required


• Master’s degree in a relevant field is desirable


• Membership of a relevant professional organization is desirable


• Knowledge of student counselling, academic advising and higher education systems is desirable


• More than 4-6 years of experience in academic counselling, student affairs or similar role in a higher education institution


• Experience in dealing with undergraduate students and academic support services is preferred