Comprehensive High School Counselor (Grades 9 – 12)

School Overview

The International Community School of Addis Ababa is a Pre- K through 12, inclusive school offering the IB PYP, IB MYP, IB MYP and in the High School offers a US High School Diploma, IB DP Diploma, IB CP Diploma, BTEC Diploma, and Individualised Diploma for students in Intensive Learning Support. The student body is currently representative of over 65 nationalities among its 475 students across Middle School and High School.

ICS is accredited by the Council of International Schools, Middle States Association for Schools and Colleges, and the International Baccalaureate Organisation.

The International Community School of Addis Ababa (ICS) seeks an enthusiastic, reflective, internationally minded Comprehensive High School Counselor (Grades 9 – 12) to join our vibrant learning community.

An ICS teacher is a mission-aligned, joyful, and collaborative educator committed to IB principles, authentic relationships, and empowering every learner in our diverse international community.

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Position Description: Comprehensive High School Counselor (Grades 9 – 12)

ICS is accredited by the Council of International Schools, Middle States Association for Schools and Colleges, and the International Baccalaureate Organisation.

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 programme that supports the academic, social-emotional, and post-school needs of students in Grades 9–12. Aligned with the ISCA International Model, the role combines individual and small-group counseling, advisory learning, academic pathway planning, and global career and university guidance. The counselor works collaboratively with families, teachers, and student-support colleagues to identify needs, coordinate support, and help students navigate transitions, strengthen wellbeing, and make informed decisions about their futures.

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 AND 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

• Programme Development: Plan, deliver, and evaluate a comprehensive Grades 9–12 counseling programme aligned with the ISCA International Model, using student needs and outcome data to guide priorities and improve access.

• Social-Emotional Counseling: Provide short-term individual and small-group counseling; collaborate within MTSS to plan and monitor targeted support, respond to concerns, and coordinate referrals when needs extend beyond school-based counseling.

• Academic and Pathway Planning: Guide students in course selection, goal-setting, and graduation planning across ICS pathways; monitor the assigned caseload’s progress and coordinate support with families, teachers, and programme coordinators.

• Career and University Guidance: Support career exploration and best-fit post-school planning across global destinations, including applications, recommendations, school reports, scholarships, financial aid, and enrollment decisions; facilitate university visits and information sessions. Build and maintain relationships with university admissions representatives and international counseling networks to inform guidance, advocate for ICS students, and expand access to post-school opportunities.

• Advisory and Parent Education: Collaborate with Grade Level Leaders and advisors to deliver developmentally appropriate social-emotional learning and provide family workshops on adolescent wellbeing, transitions, and future planning.

• Transitions and Continuity of Care: Support students entering, moving through, and leaving ICS, including Third Culture Kids and internationally mobile families; coordinate timely handovers with Admissions, counseling colleagues, and specialist teams.

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 school-counseling experience, including two 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.