School Counselor at Kitengela International School

Job Summary

The overall purpose of this job is to equip the students with the necessary life skills and provide emotional, social and academic support to help them manage their emotions, and navigate their personal and academic challenges

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide individual or group counselling sessions to students, assist them in addressing personal, social, or academic concerns;
• Analyze the academic progress and behaviour of students to identify patterns and trends that inform the counselling program development;
• Maintain accurate records of student counselling sessions and progress, including academic performance, behaviour, and attendance, and share the information with parents and other relevant stakeholders;
• Collaborate with school staff, parents, and teachers to support the academic and personal growth of the students;
• Coordinate with external healthcare providers such as psychiatrists, to ensure that students receive the necessary support;
• Develop and conduct workshops for students, parents, and teachers on various topics, including study skills, and conflict resolution and management;
• Keep abreast with current research, trends, and best practices in counselling to continually improve the quality of services provided to students;
• Provide immediate support to students experiencing emotional distress or traumatic events;
• Assist in the development and implementation of school policies related to student behaviour and discipline;
• Participate in school events and initiatives to promote a positive school culture and climate;
• Collaborate with school administrators and teachers to design programs and activities that promote the academic and personal growth of students;
• Create awareness and provide guidance to teachers and other school staff on how to handle students with emotional or behavioral issues;
• Communicate with parents to address concerns about their child's academic and personal development;
• Promote a safe and positive school culture by implementing prevention programs and supporting students who have experienced trauma substance abuse, bullying, or violence;
• Encourage diversity and inclusion within the school by fostering an environment that celebrates differences and provide support to students from diverse backgrounds;
• Any other responsibilities assigned to the jobholder by the supervisor from time to time.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree in psychology, counselling, or any other related field from a recognized institution
• Must have a valid practicing counsellor’s license
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in the same field and in a busy environment

Desired Competencies and Attributes

• Ability to keep accurate records of student counselling sessions and assessments
• Knowledge of educational technology tools and resources that can be used to support student learning and engagement. For example, online tools to facilitate virtual counselling sessions or to provide students with resources on mental health andwellness.
• Effective ICT Skills
• Data analysis and interpretation skills to analyses data on student performance and behaviour to identify trends or patterns that can inform the counselling strategies.
• Familiarity with privacy and security regulations related to student information for safeguarding sensitive student information.
• Clear and effective communication skills to help build trust and relationships with students, as well as collaborate with other school staff and parents
• Strong interpersonal skills to enhance the interaction with students, parents, teachers, and support staff
• Empathy to understand students’ emotions and experiences
• Active listening skills to understand the needs and concerns of students
• Ability to work in a team and collaborate with other professionals
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Cultural competence and sensitivity to work with diverse individuals
• Ability to identify problems and find solutions to help students overcome their
• challenges
• Ability to manage emotions effectively and remain calm and composed in high-stress
• situations
• Ability to adapt to changes in the school environment and respond quickly to new
• challenges
• Maintain confidentiality and respect students' privacy essential for building trust and
• creating a safe and supportive environment for students
• Strategic relationship management skills
• Resilience capability