High School Comprehensive Counselor

Scope: High School

Reporting to: Head of Inclusion & Well-being

Secondary Reporting to: Head of High school

In order to fill this role effectively, the successful candidate must possess a diverse skill set and experience, excelling as a learner, motivator, and communicator. The candidate must have exceptional interpersonal skills and foster a supportive, respectful environment while addressing learning obstacles. He/She should facilitate an internationally minded community, emphasizing environmental preservation, mutual care, and enthusiastic learning. He/She must address students' academic, career, and social-emotional needs through the design, implementation, evaluation, and enhancement of a comprehensive school counseling program to promote student success.

Qualifications and experience.

• Qualification in Psychology, Masters in School Counselling or equivalent
• Experience in school counselling, preference will be given to those candidates with previous IBDP Counselling experience

Knowledge and Skills.

• Possess excellent communication skills and be willing to adapt to the demands of an international school in Qatar, in particular he/she should have a working knowledge of spoken and written English
• Have a caring, supportive and understanding nature in order to be an advocate for students
• Have counselling and advisory skills in order to support and guide students, parents and colleagues
• Be resourceful and innovative in developing college counselling frameworks
• Possess a strong understanding of current research on child development and learning, as well as knowledge of adolescent growth stages and college counseling programs.
• Be familiar with relevant international curricula, university programs of study and entrance procedures.
• Have a high level of awareness of current developments in college counselling.

Responsibilities.

• Provide individual and group counseling sessions to address students' social-emotional needs, fostering personal growth and resilience.
• Help students and parents understand about universities/college admissions process, trends, procedures, and testing; advise and support Grade 9-12 and their families as they go through the process; and help students and families aspire realistically and choose wisely, including organizing and giving presentations to students and parents throughout the process.
• Meet with students individually, in groups and in Homeroom time, to support the university/college placement and counselling process.
• Advise Grade 9, 10, 11 & 12 students on curricular choices, as needed, and work with students to understand university and college admissions worldwide.
• Conduct and maintain regular credit checks for all High School students to monitor progress toward graduation and ensure they meet the credit and course requirements for the High School Diploma. Identify any credit deficiencies or potential graduation concerns in a timely manner and work with students, families and relevant staff to develop appropriate plans to address them.
• Approve course changes for Grade 9 to 12 students and update these changes in the Student Information System.
• Ensure students who are taking entrance tests to universities/colleges are given effective training and support.
• Assist students with applications for summer/spring revision programmes and work experience.
• Assist with arranging university/college visits.
• Meet with all university/college admissions representatives who visit the school and facilitate meetings between college representatives and students.
• Serve as a liaison with university/college admissions offices and be available during the summer to advise students once their results have been published.
• Compile an annually updated record, indicating where our students have been accepted.
• Maintain records and transcripts for all High School students.
• Coordinate the process and finalize the school reference for each Grade 12 student.
• Update an annual University/College Handbook, with information about the university/college admissions process.
• Keep parents informed through the school weekly bulletin, school website, and monthly newsletter about test dates, local university/college events etc.
• Make regular reports to the Head of Secondary School and Head of School on the application process and results.
• Liaise with Subject Leaders to offer subject specific support to students.
• Be actively aware of issues and trends in college admission, higher education, testing, as well as keeping up to date about specific university/college and maintaining membership in key professional organizations.
• Liaise with admissions tutors on student applications and where necessary work with the University Liaison Officers appointed by the IBO.
• Develop and run a programme of expert interview practice relating to subject specific content.
• Maintain a current High School Profile to be published each academic school year.
• Manage university application processes and ensure the timely and accurate submission of required school documentation, including transcripts, university predicted grades, school references and other supporting documents, through designated application platforms such as Unifrog, Common App, UCAS and other relevant university admission systems.
• Support the High School admissions process by reviewing the academic records of prospective and newly admitted students, assessing prior credits and course history, and providing recommendations regarding grade placement, course selection and graduation pathways.

Children Safeguarding and Welfare

ISL Qatar is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, with zero tolerance for any breaches of safeguarding standards. All applicants/new staff must undergo child protection screening, including employment references, prohibition from teaching checks, and a criminal records check (DBS or an equivalent certificate from the applicant’s country of residence).

All staff are required to actively support the school’s child protection and safeguarding commitments by complying with relevant policies, promoting student welfare, and promptly reporting concerns to Designated Safeguarding Lead(s).