Emotional Counselor - International Community School

International Community School Ghana is a world-class institution providing students with an inclusive holistic and international education needed to succeed in college/university and become a patriotic leaders.

We educate confident, responsible and engaged learners from pre-school through to high school. Our students take the Cambridge International Exams, IGCSE and the AS/A Level Exams.

THE POSITION:

We are looking to recruit a full time emotional counselor for the Accra Campus. The Counselor will report directly to the Head of the Counselling Unit, but liaise with the Principal, and the Heads of School to ensure the emotional and behavioral well-being of students attending ICS. He/ She will also work in conjunction with the Senior Guidance Counselor to successfully guide students and parents through the university application process, as well as the financial aid, scholarship, and student visa processes.

PRIMARY ROLE:

Essential Duties-University Guidance

• Write Counselor recommendations for 40-50 students annually
• Teach students, teachers, and parents how to go about writing common app prompts, personal statements, and teacher recommendations by holding writing workshops, individual and group training sessions, and creating resources to aid the process
• Edit all personal statements, essays, teacher & counselor recommendations, as well as various other college application materials
• Hold consistent one-on-one appointments with Lower and Upper Six students to guide them through the college application process and keep track of their progress. Work alongside educational partnerships such as Education USA and Shore Light Education to increase university visits and student applications/attendance to International universities.
• Create and give presentations for parents and students to guide them through the college application process as well as its various branches – i.e. personal statement writing, UCAS, building an application profile, etc.
• Do continual research to expand scholarship and financial aid opportunities for International students focused on studying abroad.

Essential Duties – Emotional Guidance and Counselling

• Provide individual and group counseling services to meet the educational, developmental and preventive needs of students
• Observe, monitor and track student academic transition through and across school years to identify hidden issues that need attention for counseling
• Provide emotional and behavioral counseling for students that have been referred to the counseling by an ICS staff and/or faculty member, or parent.
• Do classroom observations as requested/needed to aid in the counseling process.
• Work alongside the Behavioral Management team to improve and maintain the behavior of students within the school.
• Provide individual and group counseling to students with identified concerns, needs and personal trauma.
• Provide a leading support role in crisis management situations.

Professional Practice and Development

• Adhere to the ethical standards of the counseling profession.
• Participate in staff development programs to upgrade professional knowledge and skills when needed.

Requirements

Qualifications & Training

Essential

• First Degree in Guidance & Counselling or
• A qualification in an aspect of therapeutic
• Registration with the Health Care Professionals Council
  

Desirable

• Master's Degree qualification within the field of mental

Method of Assessment

• Production of the applicant's Certificates.
• Discussion at interview.
• Verification of qualification

Special Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Knowledge of child
• Awareness & understanding of mental health issues and problems.
• Committed to delivering high-quality counselling and support, being both proactive and reactive to issues and
• Ability to write clearly for a range of audiences, including the writing of effective reports of a high professional standard
• Ability to work with students, colleagues and parents with a high level of professionalism.
• Highly organized — managing a case load and appointments.
• Keeping good records of meetings
• Able to assess and identify specificneeds of individual students and groups of students.

Desirable

•   Ability to support the development of high quality pastoral care across the school

Method of Assessment

• Application Letter
• Interview

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of providing high quality counseling and guidance across the Primary and Secondary age
• Proven ability to deliver evidence based and effective therapeutic
• Understanding & experience of school & education systems.

Desirable

• Counselling in a Secondary School setting
• Track record of success with young people
• Evidence of improving a School's Safeguarding and support of young people

Personal, emotional, social and physical qualities

Essential

• Good interpersonal
• High level of motivation and
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Ability to develop creative ideas and transform them into practical reality.

Desirable

• Readiness to seek help & support to manage professional issues and problems.

Method of Assessment

• Interview
• Professional references