University and Careers Counsellor

The Aga Khan Schools (AKS), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is a global education system of schools, hostels and non-formal education programmes, serving more than 120,000 learners annually across 12 countries in East Africa, the Middle East and South and Central Asia. Supported by over 7,000 teachers and staff, alongside dedicated volunteers, AKS is committed to improving quality of life through education by expanding access to high-quality, values-based learning that prepares learners to contribute meaningfully to their communities and an increasingly interconnected world.

More information.. The Aga Khan Schools in Kenya operates five schools and one residential school, offering both the national and international curricula from nursery to secondary.

The Aga Khan Academy, Nairobi is the only authorised International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum school in East Africa, offering all three IB programmes from the early years to the Diploma Programme (Nursery to Grade 12). The Academy provides a holistic education, combining academic rigour within the broad and challenging curriculum and a wide range of co-curricular activities.

The Aga Khan Academy, Nairobi – Senior School invites applications from motivated and dedicated professionals for the position of University and Careers Counsellor.

Role Summary

The University and Careers Counsellor will provide comprehensive academic and career guidance to students across the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP), supporting subject choices, university aspirations, career planning and successful transition to post-secondary education.

Key Responsibilities:

• University and Career Counselling:Strong counselling and guidance skills, with the ability to support students and parents through subject selection, career exploration and university application processes.
• Ability to guide students on university selection, personal statements, statements of purpose, recommendation letters and application requirements.
• Strong understanding of international higher education systems, scholarships, admissions trends, visa requirements and standardized testing.
• Familiarity with university application platforms such as UCAS, CommonApp, College Board and Maia Learning.
• Collaborate with staff and stakeholders to integrate career education into the curriculum.
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills:Excellent counselling, listening and interpersonal skills, with the ability to relate effectively to adolescents and parents.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, including report writing, presentations and facilitation of parent and student workshops.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills with universities, professional bodies, industry partners, alumni and other external stakeholders.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive student information with professionalism and discretion.
• Organizational and Analytical Skills:Strong planning and coordination skills for university fairs, Career Days, workshops, job-shadowing programmes, internships and related events.
• High attention to detail in managing multiple student applications, deadlines and institutional requirements.
• Strong research and data management skills for monitoring student placements, scholarships, alumni outcomes and global university trends.
• Analytical ability to assess student readiness, university fit and post-secondary opportunities.
• Personal Attributes:Empathetic, approachable and student-centred.
• Culturally aware and globally minded, with an understanding of diverse post-secondary pathways.
• Proactive, resourceful and able to work independently.
• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism and resilience under pressure.
• Qualifications and Experience:Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Psychology, Counselling, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4-5 years’ experience working in a secondary school environment, preferably in a university or careers counselling role.
• Experience supporting students and families through the university admissions and application process.
• Familiarity with ManageBac and experience in generating and managing student transcripts.
• Knowledge of the UCAS university application system and familiarity with other international university application platforms.
• Knowledge of university admissions, scholarships, financial aid opportunities and standardized testing requirements, including SAT/ACT.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple student applications, deadlines and institutional requirements.
• Understanding of the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum and global university systems.
• Experience working in an international or multicultural school environment will be an added advantage.

This position welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, including those locally based and internationally experienced.

For more details on the position and the application process, please visit www.akdn.org/careers .

The closing date is 22nd November 2026.

After submission, you'll receive a confirmation email from @brassring.com. All future application updates will come from @akesk.org emails only. We never send unsolicited job offers or request personal/financial information. If you receive suspicious communication, please verify by contacting us at +254 734 647457 / +254 701 647457 or emailing admin@akesk.org. The organization is not responsible for any actions taken in response to fraudulent messages. By applying, you accept responsibility for verifying the authenticity of any communication.