Comprehensive High School Counselor (Grades 11 – 12)
Description
About ICS Addis
Founded in 1964 in the heart of Ethiopia's capital, the International Community School of Addis Ababa (ICS Addis) is a premier, non-profit, and inclusive IB World School serving a diverse community of more than 80 nationalities from Early Years 3 (Pre-K) through Grade 12 on a modern, green campus.
Fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS), the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA), and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), as well as a proud member of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA), ICS delivers a holistic, innovative, and inquiry-based education.
The school offers the full IB continuum—including the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP)—alongside diverse High School pathways that feature the IB Diploma Programme (DP), IB Career-related Programme (CP), Pearson BTEC, a US High School Diploma, and an Individualized Diploma for students receiving intensive learning support.
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The International Community School of Addis Ababa (ICS) seeks an enthusiastic, reflective, internationally minded Comprehensive High School Counselor (Grades 11 – 12) to join our vibrant learning community.
An ICS Comprehensive School Counselor is a mission-aligned, joyful, and collaborative professional committed to IB principles, authentic relationships, and empowering every learner in our diverse international community.
Position Description: Comprehensive High School Counselor (Grades 11 – 12)
The Counselor develops, implements, and evaluates a proactive, developmental counseling program aligned with the ISCA International Model. Working collaboratively with the Head of Counseling and the schoolwide counseling team, the counselor ensures program alignment, consistent counseling practices, and continuity of student support across Grades 9–12 and the broader school community. The role focuses on establishing consistent systems and structures that support students' academic success, social-emotional well-being, belonging, graduation readiness, and post-secondary planning.
An ICS Comprehensive School Counselor is a mission-aligned, joyful, and collaborative professional committed to IB principles, authentic relationships, and empowering every learner in our diverse international community.
Position Overview
The Comprehensive School Counselor delivers a developmental counseling program that supports the academic, social-emotional, and post-school needs of students in Grades 11–12. Aligned with the ISCA International Model, the role combines individual and small-group counseling, academic pathway guidance, and individualized university and career advising across global destinations. The counselor works collaboratively with students, families, teachers, and student-support colleagues to identify needs, coordinate support, and help families navigate the global university application process, financial aid options, and transitions beyond high school.
Counseling Excellence
Nurture: Build trusting, culturally responsive counseling relationships that foster belonging, emotional safety, and wellbeing, ensuring every student feels known, valued, and supported.
Challenge: Guide students to examine perspectives, recognize strengths, and address barriers to growth; support meaningful goal-setting and informed academic, career, and university choices.
Empower: Equip students with the self-awareness, coping strategies, and self-advocacy skills to navigate relationships and transitions, seek support, and take increasing ownership of their wellbeing and future.
Culture, Community, and Wellbeing
Live the ICS Way: Model care for self, others, and our shared environment, demonstrating cultural humility and respect for the Ethiopian context.
Collaborate and Communicate: Partner with families, teachers, leaders, and specialist colleagues through timely communication, coordinated support, and appropriate confidentiality.
Safeguard Students: Serve on the Child Protection Team and follow school policy for disclosures, risk assessment, safety planning, crisis response, documentation, and referral within professional scope.
Professional Growth & Beyond the Counseling Role
Grow and Reflect: Engage in professional learning and use student evidence, feedback, and programme evaluation to improve practice.
Uphold Professional Standards: Maintain accurate, confidential records and apply ethical counseling practices, safeguarding requirements, and school policies.
Contribute to School Life: Participate in meetings, events, and professional responsibilities that support student wellbeing, learning, transitions, and post-school planning.
Key Responsibilities
Comprehensive Counseling Program Evaluation and Improvement: Evaluate, refine, and strengthen the existing Grades 11–12 counseling program aligned with the ISCA International Model. Use student needs, feedback, and outcome data to improve program delivery, access, and overall effectiveness.
Social-Emotional Counseling: Provide short-term individual and small-group counseling; collaborate within MTSS to identify needs, coordinate interventions, monitor student progress, and facilitate referrals when additional support is required.
Academic Pathway and Graduation Planning: Guide students through course selection, academic pathway decisions, and graduation requirements across ICS diploma programs. Monitor academic progress, identify potential barriers to graduation, and collaborate with families, teachers, and program coordinators to support successful completion.
University and Post-Secondary Advising: Provide individualized guidance throughout the university application process, including global university research, balanced university lists, admissions requirements, standardized testing, application preparation, recommendations, school reports, scholarships, financial aid, and enrollment decisions. Support students in identifying best-fit opportunities based on their academic interests, personal goals, and financial circumstances.
University Relations and Professional Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with university admissions representatives and international counseling networks. Participate in university visits, fairs, and information sessions, working collaboratively with administrative staff who coordinate event logistics. Attend professional conferences and networking events to strengthen university partnerships, stay informed about global admissions trends, and expand post-secondary opportunities for students.
Advisory and Parent Education: Collaborate with Grade Level Leaders and advisors to deliver developmentally appropriate counseling lessons and provide parent education focused on student wellbeing, academic planning, university admissions, financial aid, and transitions beyond high school.
Transitions and Continuity of Care: Support students transitioning into Grades 11–12 and preparing to leave ICS, including internationally mobile students and Third Culture Kids. Collaborate with Grades 9–10 counselors and student-support teams to ensure continuity of care, coordinated academic planning, and appropriate handovers.
Qualifications and Skills
Education and Certification: Master’s degree in School Counseling, Guidance Counseling, Counseling Psychology, or a closely related field, with valid school-counselor certification or professional licensure from an appropriate authority.
Experience: At least three years of relevant comprehensive school-counseling experience, including three years in Grades 9–12. Experience in international or IB schools is strongly preferred.
Core Skills: Demonstrated skills in adolescent counseling, individual and group support, safeguarding, crisis response, ethical decision-making, and culturally responsive practice; understanding of comprehensive counseling programmes and MTSS.
Academic and Post-School Guidance: Knowledge of international academic pathways, graduation planning, and global university application systems; ability to support diverse learners and use student-information and university-planning platforms effectively.
Collaboration & Mindset: Strong relationship-building, communication, organization, and case-management skills; ability to use evidence, maintain confidentiality, and work with empathy, cultural humility, and sound professional boundaries.
How to Apply
As part of the online application, please upload a single PDF packet which includes the following:
A letter of interest explaining your strengths and why you think you are a good match for the position and our school.
A current résumé.
A list of at least four recent referees should be submitted. Contact information should include name, position, current email address, mobile/office numbers, and current (anticipated) time zone.
ICS Addis will respond briefly to all applications received via this portal. Questions should be addressed to recruitment@icsaddis.org
Commitment to Child Safeguarding
ICS Addis is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All employees are responsible for recognizing, responding to, and reporting concerns in accordance with ICS safeguarding procedures, and for actively participating in required child protection training and practices. Background checks and reference verification are conditions of employment.
Highly qualified candidates may be interviewed as applications are received. ICS reserves the right to make an appointment before the deadline if an outstanding applicant is identified early in the search process.