Requirements
The ideal candidate will possess a recognized teaching qualification (B.Ed, PGCE, State Teaching Licence, or equivalent) and a relevant bachelor's degree. A minimum of three years of successful teaching experience in a recognized school setting is required, along with significant experience in safeguarding and child protection, ideally in a lead role. Strong knowledge of safeguarding procedures, child protection practices, and effective case management is essential, as are excellent professional judgment, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Description
Job description / Role
Job Type
Full Time
Job Location
Dubai, UAE
Nationality
Any Nationality
Salary
Not Specified
Gender
Not Specified
Arabic Fluency
Not Specified
Job Function
Education & Teaching
Company Industry
Education & Training
About the school
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a leading GEMS international school in the UAE.
The school provides a high-quality international education to a diverse student community and is committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and aspirational environment in which every student can thrive.
As part of GEMS Education, the school benefits from the scale and expertise of one of the world’s leading private education providers, while maintaining a strong individual school culture centred around student wellbeing, academic excellence and continuous improvement.
Position overview
We are seeking an experienced and highly committed safeguarding lead to join our school and play a key role in ensuring the safety, wellbeing and protection of all students.
The successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership for safeguarding and child protection across the school, working closely with the principal, senior leadership team, pastoral teams, teachers, families and relevant external agencies.
This is primarily a safeguarding leadership position; however, the successful candidate will retain a reduced teaching timetable and therefore must also be a qualified and experienced teacher.
We are looking for someone with strong professional judgement, excellent interpersonal skills and the confidence to manage sensitive and complex safeguarding matters with discretion, compassion and rigour.
Key responsibilities
Safeguarding & child protection
Lead safeguarding and child protection practice across the school, ensuring the highest standards of student safety and wellbeing.
Act as the school’s key point of contact for safeguarding and child protection concerns.
Manage safeguarding referrals, disclosures and concerns appropriately, ensuring timely action, accurate documentation and appropriate escalation.
Maintain confidential and comprehensive safeguarding records in line with school, GEMS and regulatory requirements.
Work closely with the principal and senior leadership team on complex safeguarding and child protection matters.
Liaise effectively with parents, external agencies and relevant authorities where required.
Ensure safeguarding policies, procedures and practices remain current, effective and consistently implemented across the school.
Identify emerging safeguarding trends, risks and areas requiring intervention or additional support.
Promote a strong culture of safeguarding in which all members of the school community understand that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
Training & school culture
Deliver and coordinate safeguarding and child protection training for teaching and non-teaching staff.
Ensure new staff receive appropriate safeguarding induction and understand reporting procedure.
Provide ongoing guidance and support to colleagues in identifying and responding to safeguarding concerns.
Support the development of a proactive whole-school culture centred around student safety, wellbeing and protection.
Keep up to date with developments in safeguarding practice and relevant UAE regulatory requirements.
Teaching & wider school contribution
Undertake a reduced teaching timetable appropriate to the successful candidate’s subject specialism and experience.
Deliver high-quality teaching and learning in line with the school’s curriculum and expectations.
Build positive and trusted relationships with students, colleagues and families.
Contribute to the wider pastoral and professional life of the school.
Skills description
Successful candidate
The successful candidate will have:
A recognised teaching qualification such as a B.Ed, PGCE, State Teaching Licence or equivalent.
A relevant bachelor’s degree meeting UAE teacher approval requirements.
A minimum of three years’ successful teaching experience within a recognised school setting.
Significant experience in safeguarding and child protection, ideally as a designated safeguarding lead, deputy designated safeguarding lead or equivalent.
Strong knowledge of safeguarding procedures, child protection practice and effective case management.
Experience managing sensitive disclosures, referrals and complex safeguarding concerns.
Experience delivering safeguarding training and supporting colleagues with safeguarding practice.
Excellent professional judgement and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work effectively with students, parents, senior leaders and external agencies.
A calm, compassionate and student-centred approach.
A commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding, wellbeing and professional conduct.
Experience within an international school or the UAE would be advantageous but is not essential.
Availability to start immediately or by January 2027.
What we offer
As part of GEMS Education, you will enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including:
Competitive tax-free salary
Individual furnished accommodation
Annual return flights
Private medical insurance
Tuition fee benefit for up to 1 child
Visa sponsorship
Relocation allowance
End of service gratuity
GEMS Rewards
Application process
Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, either in person or virtually. We reserve the right to make an appointment before the closing date, therefore early applications are encouraged.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced safeguarding professional and educator to take a leading role in protecting and supporting students within a high-performing international school environment.
Please note that this recruitment process is being conducted confidentially. Further information regarding the school will be shared with shortlisted candidates at the appropriate stage of the process.
About the Company
GEMS Education is a pioneering education company with an international network of award winning K-12 schools. Over the past 55 years GEMS has grown from one school to being a truly global company with one incredible mission – to make quality education available to every student. Over 20,000 education professionals unlock the potential of over 250,000 students across 14 countries each and every day, preparing children of all ages for real world success.
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