University and Careers Counsellor

About the role

The Aga Khan Academy, Nairobi, which is the only authorised International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum school in East Africa, is looking for a University and Careers Counsellor. The counsellor gives academic and career guidance to students in the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme, supporting subject choices, university aspirations, career planning and the transition to post-secondary education.

Key responsibilities

• Support students and parents through subject selection, career exploration and university application processes, including university selection, personal statements, statements of purpose, recommendation letters and application requirements.
• Advise on international higher education systems, scholarships, admissions trends, visa requirements and standardized testing.
• Use university application platforms such as UCAS, CommonApp, College Board and Maia Learning.
• Work with staff and stakeholders to integrate career education into the curriculum.
• Organize and coordinate university fairs, Career Days, workshops, job-shadowing programmes and internships.
• Manage multiple student applications, deadlines and institutional requirements, and monitor student placements, scholarships and alumni outcomes.
• Communicate with universities, professional bodies, industry partners, alumni and other stakeholders, and run parent and student workshops.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Psychology, Counselling or a related field.
• At least 4-5 years of experience in a secondary school environment, preferably in university or careers counselling.
• Experience supporting students and families through the university admissions and application process.
• Knowledge of university admissions, scholarships, financial aid and standardized testing (including SAT/ACT).
• Strong written and verbal English; excellent organizational and administrative skills.
• Understanding of the IB curriculum and global university systems; experience in an international or multicultural school is an added advantage.

Required skills

• ManageBac: generating and managing student transcripts
• UCAS and other international university application platforms
• Data management and research skills for tracking student outcomes and scholarship trends