School Counsellor

Shape student wellbeing in Abu Dhabi: tax-free, with a school building something new

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Intake dates: January, April or August 2027

Package: Competitive, tax-free salary with a comprehensive benefits package

Interviews: In person in Ireland (dates to be confirmed, early December 2026)

Recruiting partner: WhiteCrow Research, on behalf of a confidential client school

Imagine being the person who makes sure every student feels they belong, in a school that is building its wellbeing and student support from the ground up. Then imagine your salary landing tax-free, your weekends on the beach or in the desert, and Europe, Asia and Africa all a short flight away. That is the offer.

About the school:

Our client is a well-established Abu Dhabi school at the start of an ambitious transformation. It is building an international teaching faculty and an international pathway in its senior grades, leading to Cambridge IGCSE.

This is not a school that is standing still. You would join at the point where a new team shapes the curriculum, the culture and the standards for years to come. People who thrive here enjoy building something, and are curious about the culture they are joining. The school's name is shared with shortlisted candidates at interview stage.

The role:

You will lead counselling and student support across the school, helping students with their emotional, social and educational development. You will report to the Vice Principal.

The role combines one-to-one and group counselling, crisis support, and whole-school programmes on wellbeing and inclusion. You will work with students, staff and families to build a school where every student feels supported.

What you'll do:

Counselling and support

• Provide individual and group counselling that supports students' emotional and social development and their mental wellbeing.
• Help students set and achieve educational goals, and work through the challenges in their way.
• Offer immediate support and intervention to students in crisis, and connect them with the right resources.
• Arrange referrals for students who need specialist support beyond what the school provides.

Wellbeing and inclusion programmes

• Develop and run programmes that build a sense of belonging for every student, whatever their background.
• Run workshops for students, staff and parents on mental health awareness, conflict resolution and cultural competency.
• Assess how well counselling and inclusion programmes are working, and use feedback from students, parents and staff to improve them.

Working with others

• Work closely with teachers and staff to identify students who need extra support, and share strategies for meeting diverse needs in the classroom.
• Partner with parents, guardians and community organisations, providing resources and guidance to families.

What you'll bring:

Essential

• A degree in Counselling, Psychology, Social Work, Education or a closely related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in school counselling, student support or inclusion work.
• A proven ability to handle crisis situations with empathy and professional care.
• Strong knowledge of inclusive practice in educational settings.
• Experience designing and running student support programmes, and delivering workshops on mental health and inclusion.
• Excellent spoken and written English, with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• A collaborative approach to working with teachers, parents and external partners.

Package and benefits:

You keep what you earn: there is no personal income tax on employment income in the UAE. Full package details are shared with shortlisted candidates.

• A competitive tax-free salary that rises with your experience.
• Housing support, scaled to your family situation, with help covering upfront rent when you arrive.
• Flights home every year, plus family-friendly benefits for those relocating with a spouse or children.
• Comprehensive health insurance, extending to dependents.
• An annual performance bonus and an end-of-service gratuity under UAE law.
• A supported move: your flight out, temporary accommodation on arrival, and your visa and Emirates ID arranged and paid for.
• Real career growth: fully funded CPD and a clear path into leadership.

All benefits are subject to your employment contract.

Life in the UAE:

• Sunshine most of the year. Winters are warm, and there are beaches, desert, mountains and the sea within easy reach.
• A strong Irish community. Abu Dhabi has an active Irish Society and various expat clubs and communities, as well as plenty of Irish educators who have made the same move.
• Safe, modern and easy to live in. The city is clean and well connected, and English is widely spoken day to day.
• The world on your doorstep. Europe, Asia and Africa are a short flight away, so school holidays go a long way.
• Real savings potential. A tax-free salary, a housing allowance and a flight home each year make it realistic to save while you travel.

How to apply

Apply for this role now. A WhiteCrow recruiter will then contact you for a short screening call.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an in-person interview with the school's representative in Ireland, with dates to be confirmed. Virtual interviews may be considered in certain circumstances.

All applications are handled in strict confidence. The school is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from all qualified candidates.