College and Career Counsellor at Aga Khan Academy

Responsibilities

• Advise students on IB subject selection, academic planning, and alignment with university and career goals.
• Guide students and families through the global university application process, including country-specific requirements, essay writing, interview preparation, and standardized testing.
• Provide up-to-date, unbiased information on universities and programs worldwide, including scholarship and financial aid opportunities.
• Organize and lead university visits, college fairs, and career exploration events.
• Support students in identifying and pursuing relevant extracurriculars, internships, and job shadowing experiences.

Personal and Social-Emotional Support

• Offer individual and group counselling tailored to students’ developmental and social-emotional needs.
• Conduct early and crisis interventions as needed, and make appropriate referrals to external professionals.
• Foster a safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive environment for all students.
• Develop strong relationships with students, parents, faculty, and university representatives to ensure a smooth college application process.
• Maintain open, regular communication with parents through meetings, workshops, and written updates.
• Liaise with the IB Coordinator, teachers, and administration to support student success.
• Design, implement, and assess a comprehensive college and career counselling program aligned with IB philosophy and school mission.
• Collect, analyse, and interpret data to assess program effectiveness and student outcomes.
• Prepare and update the school profile, college handbook, and relevant documentation for university applications.
• Write counsellor references and coordinate teacher recommendations for university applications.

Professionalism and Development

• Adhere to the ethical standards of the counselling profession and the principles of organizations such as IACAC and NACAC.
• Engage in ongoing professional development, attend conferences, and maintain active membership in relevant professional associations.
• Represent students and the institution honestly and openly, always prioritizing student well-being.

The requirements

• Master’s degree in Counseling or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Valid teaching certificate.
• Additional certification in school counseling is highly desirable.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a school counselor in an international school setting, preferably with IB Diploma Programme students.
• Professional membership in IACAC, NACAC, or similar associations.
• Demonstrated experience in college and career counseling, including familiarity with university admissions processes worldwide.
• Exemplary counseling, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational, planning, and data management abilities2.
• High level of cultural sensitivity and understanding of international student needs.
• Ability to work collaboratively and diplomatically with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in English (spoken and written); additional languages are an asset.
• Computer literacy and familiarity with university application platforms.
• Experience as an IB Coordinator or in IB event management.
• Knowledge of and experience with global university admissions platforms (e.g., Common App, UCAS, Unifrog).