Secondary School Counselor

Professionalism 

All staff are expected to demonstrate professionalism by following the guidelines in the IAA Code of Conduct, which is signed annually by each staff member, the Policy manual, and the employment contract. The standards in these documents include but are not limited to:

• Upholding the professional standards of IAA in work and in community relationships.
• Observing confidentiality regarding all matters relating to employment with the IAA both within the school, as appropriate, and outside of the school
• Upholding all IAA policies and procedures 
• Publicly supporting the school and neither organizing nor participating in any activities that could bring the reputation of IAA into disrepute
• Communicating effectively and appropriately with the school community, both orally and in writing. 
• Responding to communications in a timely manner
• Maintaining open and appropriate channels of communication with parents regarding student progress
• Meeting deadlines and keeping records
• Participating in school events such as parent conferences and professional training that may occur outside of normally contracted working hours

Job Specification:

• Counsel students individually and in small groups; or facilitate class sessions.
• Help students understand academic, social, behavioural and personal problems and to provide them with life skills to enhance personal, social and academic growth.
• To maintain focus on student social – emotional issues and refer non emergent issues involving other stakeholders to outside agencies. 
• Developing and maintaining support from local professionals and agencies when necessary. 
• Build rapport with students, staff and families and show interest in students’ lives.
• Ensure appropriate confidentiality with regards to records and disclosures. 
• Observe students during classroom and social activities as needed. 
• Advise teachers, administrators and parents regarding students’ strengths, challenges or special needs and within the limits of confidentiality.
• Assist with the admissions, testing and orientation process for new students as directed by the principals. 
• Lead and coordinate class placement process (Primary) 
• Oversee rewards systems including student council as needed (Primary)
• Lead peer mentoring/mediation programs. 
• Provide training to faculty and parents on social-emotional issues as needed. 
• Make every effort to integrate all students into one community irrespective of national or cultural differences. 
• Develop a yearly plan of action to be approved by the Principal, which delineates proposed activities, projects and services to be provided to develop student social emotional development.
• Lead & coordinate with teachers to incorporate elements of social-emotional development within the curriculum and extracurricular activities. Support teachers in the delivery of activities and objectives. 
• Delineate and share key information with the Principal regarding individual cases that may affect the well-being of stakeholders. 
• Undertake any professional duty as required by senior management, especially in times of emergency, and understand that these events do particularly occur in an international setting, where staffing and material resources may be limited

Pastoral 

• To actively support a consistent approach to implementing the School Guiding Statements
• To implement one’s professional duty of care by ensuring student safety at all times.
• To understand that student safety is at all times paramount
• To understand and practice vigilant student safeguarding and duty of care
• Plan and implement strategies that encourage student self-discipline, reinforce appropriate behaviour and manage disruptive behaviour
• To celebrate children’s achievements both in and out of school
• To respond sensitively when dealing with children, ensuring that any concern they bring will be dealt with professionally and promptly

Professional development

• To participate in the school’s self-evaluation procedures, providing constructive feedback as required
• To participate fully in the school’s Staff Development Network by engaging in activities including but not limited to action research, in-service training, lesson observations, professional writing and curriculum development
• To actively participate in staff initiatives and meetings
• Promote good working relationships with others through active leadership and the sharing of ideas, materials and expertise
• To reflect on one’s practice and be open to professional feedback from colleagues
• To keep up-to-date with developments in the profession.

Learning environment

• To look for opportunities to extend learning beyond the confines of the classroom
• To responsibly manage and maintain effective use of equipment and learning resources and ensure their return in a timely manner

Qualifications and Skills:

Required:

• Master’s degree and/or certification in School Counselling from a recognized institution or Board. 
• Minimum two years’ experience in school counselling 
• Police clearance to work with children and in schools
• Strong communication skills in the language/s of instruction
• Good interpersonal skills in interacting with students, parents and staff
• Ability to supervise students in non-classroom settings
• Ability to work independently and within a team

Preferred:

• Certification in teaching from a recognized institution and/or Board and/or 2-3 years teaching experience 
• Experience in an internationally accredited school or national/state school in an 
• English-speaking country
• Ability to communicate in Arabic and/or demonstrated understanding of Arab cultures 
• Certified or licensed to conduct specific educational tests and screenings for learning and/or behavioral issues