ACS Doha welcomes a range of student interests and abilities. Our internationally minded learning community strives to imagine better, welcome everyone, aim high and make it happen, work together, and act with kindness. We are committed to living sustainably and championing diversity, equality, and inclusion.
PURPOSE
All staff play a vital role in supporting, nurturing, and guiding students to be the best version of themselves. All members of the ACS Doha team are highly effective practitioners who are kind, reflective, inquisitive, supportive, and collaborative.
SAFEGUARDING
ACS Doha is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. As an employee you are expected to share this commitment. The protection of students’ welfare is the responsibility of all staff and individuals are expected to conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of our organization. All staff commit to implementing and adhering to the Safeguarding Policy.
Core Expectations
· Our students come first and are at the center of our decisions. Be positive and open-minded. Be adaptable, collaborative, and flexible to meet the evolving nature of our school. Be committed to international mindedness. Be committed to The Experience
Core Accountabilities
Pastoral Care: Assist in providing a safe and stimulating environment for students, rooted in mutual respect, and modeling the high standards of behavior required. Support the whole school’s culture of high attendance and high engagement. Liaise with parents, carers, and external agencies as required.
Social Emotional Program: Plan and lead an engaging SEL program which effectively prepares students to make informed choices about their behavior and futures.
Professional Knowledge: Demonstrate in depth and accurate knowledge and understanding of tertiary education, college and university options relevant to the diverse international student population at ACS Doha.
School Climate: Foster the success of all students by supporting the development of an academically rigorous, positive, welcoming, and safe Middle/High School climate.
Communication and Community Relations: Support the fostering of success of all students by communicating, collaborating, and engaging with family and community stakeholders to promote understanding and continuous improvement of the Middle/High School programs and services.
Professionalism: Support the fostering of success of all students by demonstrating behavior consistent with legal, ethical, and professional standards, engaging in continuous professional development, and contributing to the profession.
Community Engagement: Be fully committed to The Experience, our broad co-curricular program. Contributing to activities to enhance the student experience across Middle/High School, in line with contractual requirements.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
To counsel students with learning, physical, social, and emotional concerns through conferences held with students on the basis of teacher, parent, principal, or student self-referral.
Inform students and parents about Colleges and the Admissions process
Present information at a range of meetings and parents’ evenings to educate students and parents about colleges, the college admissions process, trends, procedure and testing so that they can make informed choices.
Provide advice to students and parents
Advise and support students and parents through the college selection and admissions process to ensure favorable outcomes. Provide guidance on academic pathways and course selections to help students make appropriate choices. Mentor students on academic or social probation, collaborating with Administration to address their issues effectively.
Careers advice
Work with the pathway coordinators to provide careers advice in the High School so that students make academic choices with a career in mind.
College information, admissions and visits
Administer all aspects of the college search and admissions process to support students and parents in their decision-making process.
Maintain college catalogues and the college resource room as well as meeting with college admissions and facilitating meetings between colleges and students and parents to support students into college.
Keep up-to-date on trends in College admissions and higher education
Track issues and trends in college admissions, higher education, testing and developments in specific colleges so that advice given to students and parents is relevant and up-to-date.
Official School recommendations and reports
Write official recommendations, complete school reports, and ensure all documents meet admissions deadlines. Maintain student files, send transcripts, and liaise with other institutions.
Support the MHS Principal
Support the MS & HS Principal as needed including scheduling classes and new students joining during the year to assist in the efficient running of the High school.
KEY COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS
· Ability to promote the welfare of all children and positively promote diversity.
· Communicate clearly with all stakeholders
· Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and delegate appropriately
· Ability to work effectively, prioritize and meet deadlines
· Strong organization skills
PROFESSIONAL DISPOSITIONS
Optimistic : Believes in making a difference with high self-efficacy.
Resilient : Perseveres through challenges and setbacks with a long-term view.
Adaptable : Open to change, willing to try new approaches, and receptive to feedback.
Collegial : Enjoys teamwork, celebrates others' success, and gives/receives constructive feedback.
Emotionally intelligent : A good listener with empathy, compassion, and respect.
Enthusiastic : Passionate about education and children's welfare.
Driven : Self-disciplined, with high personal standards and a desire to learn.
Engaged with the community : Aware of global and local challenges and willing to contribute.
Ethical : Acts with fairness, integrity, and good judgment.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
● Educated to a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, preferably with a master’s and certification in psychological or school counselling
● Experience in school counseling in the appropriate age range, preferably in an international setting
● Experience in careers counselling/guidance in the appropriate age range, preferably in an international setting
● Understanding of advanced academic programmes, and understanding of the post-graduation landscape, preferably in an international setting
● Experience of supporting and engaging parents as partners in their children’s educational journey
● Strong IT skills are preferred, good IT skills essential
● Demonstrates consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct
● Fluent in English, both verbal and written, demonstrating excellent levels of communication