JOB DESCRIPTION: University and Careers Councilor

Position Title: University and Careers Councilor

Department: Secondary

Reports to: Head of Secondary

Location: EPG Schools, Kuwait

Hours of Work: As per the School Schedule. The employee may be required to work flexible

hours to support university application deadlines, parent evenings, and career events.

Purpose Statement

The University and Careers Councillor is a pivotal role responsible for the strategic

leadership and comprehensive administration of the school's careers guidance and university

admissions programme. This position is critical to the school’s academic infrastructure,

ensuring that all students from Years 7 to 13 receive tailored support to navigate their

academic and professional futures. The role is designed to build a robust guidance system

that empowers students to make informed decisions, achieve their potential, and secure places

at leading universities worldwide.

Role Focus

The primary focus of this role is to provide continuous, expert guidance to students

throughout their secondary school journey (Years 7–13). The councillor will develop and

implement a comprehensive careers education and guidance programme that aligns with the

British curriculum (IGCSE, GCSE, A-Levels) and supports the school’s commitment to

academic excellence and student development. While this is primarily a non-teaching role, a

partial teaching load may be assigned by mutual agreement with the Head of Secondary,

ensuring that the primary responsibilities of the role are not compromised.

Key Responsibilities

In addition to the standard duties of a school councillor, the successful candidate will be

responsible for the following key areas:

1. Strategic Development of Careers and University Guidance

•Lead the development and implementation of a whole-school careers guidance and

university admissions strategy.

•Establish and maintain robust systems for tracking student progress, career interests, and

university applications.

•Develop and deliver comprehensive training for staff to ensure they can effectively support

students in their tutor groups.

•Act as the primary point of contact for universities, external agencies, and professional

bodies to build a strong network of support and opportunities for students.

2. Academic and Career Guidance

•Provide individual and group counselling sessions to support students with subject selection

for IGCSE/GCSE and A-Level streams.

•Guide students in identifying their strengths, interests, and potential career paths through

psychometric testing and one-on-one interviews.

•Assist students in exploring a wide range of vocational, academic, and international higher-

education opportunities, both in the GCC and beyond.

•Organise and lead career awareness events, workshops, guest speaker sessions, and

university fairs for all secondary years.

•Attend career awareness events, workshops, and university entry conferences for all

secondary years.

•Support, advise and help develop the EPG Co-curricular activities, advising on the ones that

have the most significant impact for top end universities.

3. University and Post-Secondary Support

•Manage and support students with all aspects of the university application process, including

UCAS (UK), the Common Application (US), and systems for EU, GCC, and other

international universities.

•Provide expert guidance on writing personal statements, requesting academic references, and

preparing all required application documentation.

•Oversee the school's process for providing predicted grades and school references, ensuring

quality and consistency.

•Conduct specialised workshops for students and parents on university admissions,

scholarship applications, and navigating global education systems.

4. Leadership and Collaboration

•Liaise effectively with all stakeholders, including the Senior Leadership Team, Heads of

Department, staff, students, and parents, to ensure a coordinated approach to student

guidance.

•Provide detailed analysis and feedback to the Senior Leadership Team on student destination

data, application trends, and the effectiveness of the guidance programme to inform strategic

planning. Along with record keeping for EPG Alumni.

•Stay current with all changes in university admissions, curriculum requirements, and best

practices by attending relevant training and networking with other professionals.

•Foster a school culture where students are ambitious, well-informed, and confident in their

future pathways.

Person Specification

Essential

•A thorough and current working knowledge of the British curriculum (IGCSE, GCSE, A-

Levels).

•Proven experience with international university admissions processes, particularly for the

UK, US, EU, and GCC regions.

•Exceptional organisational and time-management skills with the ability to work accurately

under pressure and meet strict external deadlines.

•A Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field.

•High-level ICT skills, with experience using management information systems (MIS) and

university application platforms.

•The ability to maintain effective and professional relationships with a wide range of

stakeholders.

•A commitment to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and confidentiality.

Desirable

•Experience in a similar role, preferably in an international school setting within the GCC.

•A background in teaching and a valid teaching qualification.

•Experience with psychometric and career assessment tools.

•Graduates from top-tier universities (e.g., Russell Group, Ivy League) are highly encouraged

to apply.

Personal and Professional Conduct

The University and Careers Councillor is expected to demonstrate consistently high standards

of personal and professional conduct, acting as a role model within the school community.

This includes treating all individuals with dignity and respect, safeguarding student well-

being, and upholding the ethos, policies, and practices of EPG.