Director-Student Counseling Center Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The Director reports to the Assistant Provost of Student Affairs and provides strategic direction and leadership for the Student Counseling Center, as well as the Health Clinics and Wellness Services, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai campuses.

The incumbent manages the daily operations of the Student Counseling centers as well as the Health and Wellness Clinics and provides guidance and leadership to the staff at the various centers.  A great share of the Director’s work time is spent in overseeing clinical work and supervision, preparing for events and outreach programming, as well as continuously reviewing and developing policies and procedures for meeting the international standards of college counseling services and health clinics as well as towards developing appropriates measures to evaluate the delivery outcomes.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Under the supervision of the Assistant Provost of Student Affairs, the Director is responsible for Student Counseling Center & Health Clinics and Wellness Services, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai campuses:

• Develops and updates job descriptions, assigns staff duties and responsibilities, and ensures that proper professional development opportunities are in place.
• Oversees the provision of empirically-valid and culturally-sensitive psychological and counseling services while maintaining confidentiality and high professional standards.
• Liaises with colleges/campus units and student groups to assess the mental health needs of students and develops the services and programs to meet such needs.
• Develops research initiatives to assess student mental health needs and relevant interventions.
• Ensures all staff adhere to ethical and professional standards that emphasize trust, respect, confidentiality, competence, and the welfare of students.
• Identifies professional development needs of clinical and administrative staff and identifies resources to meet the needs.
• Liaises with senior management, academic affairs and student affairs staff to develop strategies to meet emerging student needs.
• Manages the crisis response system.
• Identifies referrals and relevant resources in the community.
• Strictly adheres to professional code of ethics set by HAAD and the University.
• Coordinates with other departments/services of Student Affairs, the University at large, and external partners.
• Supervises the clinical and administrative work of the Student Counseling Center staff and counselors & the running of Health Clinics and Wellness Services in both campuses.
• Supports the strategic development of the counseling services & Health Clinics and Wellness Services and ensures future growth in line with best practices and the mission and vision of the University.
• Provides clinical supervision to counselors, in keeping with the best practices of the profession, and to ensure provision of highest quality clinical services to students.
• Ensures the availability and provision of Medical services at high professional standards.
• Supervises and oversees the running of student counseling centers and the work of the Doctors and Nurses of the Health Clinics and the Wellness officers across Dubai and Abu Dhabi campuses.
• Evaluates, identifies, and executes the Student Counseling Center & the Health Clinics and Wellness Services Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and strategic objectives in collaboration with the university management and other relevant units.
• Manages and provides direction for the administration of the counseling services & the Health and Wellness services, including but not limited to budgeting, staffing, record keeping, policy issues, and others, as needed, in accordance with Zayed University’s policies and procedures on both campuses.
• Develops strategies and policies to promote empirically-valid counseling services and best practices for Zayed University students.
• Ensures counseling services provides an atmosphere of trust, confidentiality, and respect to encourage students, parents, faculty and staff of the University to seek consultation and/or referrals related to student’s psychological, counseling, and other mental health needs.
• Supervises an ongoing outreach program to promote counseling and psychological & Health and Wellness services available to students.
• Develops quality assurance practices to provide evidence of positive outcomes for counseling and outreach services.
• Supervises Student Counseling Center & Health and Wellness staff to ensure proper delivery of all services.
• Oversees the development and operation of a confidential counseling records system.
• Oversees the supervision of counseling, social work and outreach services.
• Oversees programming to enhance the psychological & health medical and wellbeing of students and to maximize students’ use of counseling & health clinics and Wellness Services on campus.
• Adopts best practices in the health management & counseling field with the aim of continuous development.
• Ensures the adoption of culturally sensitive counseling and interventions.

DEGREE OF INDEPENDENCE/COMPLEXITY OF ENVIRONMENT

Highly ambiguous, constantly changing environment with a diverse network of key stakeholders and policy makers.

Must be able to deal with simultaneously occurring crisis which may compete for time

When interacting with students or on their behalf, uses a systems perspective to understand the societal, cultural, and collective influences impacting the student

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS/IMPACT OF INTERACTIONS

Interacts extensively with students, faculty and staff to facilitate mental health development and overcoming barriers affecting their personal and academic standing.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Must possess a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology or closely related fields (i.e., clinical, school counseling, school psychology) from an accredited institution and 15 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education, skill, or experience.

Relevant licensure or ability to acquire license in the UAE.

Other essential requirements:

Fluency in Arabic & English preferred.

Awareness and knowledge of UAE culture.

Sensitivity and awareness of college student issues.

Professional organizational membership and engagement in the profession.

Desired or preferred requirements:

Experience working in the higher education environment.

Knowledge of Educational testing and assessment.

Has license or ability to acquire license to practice and supervise