Head of Safeguarding & Child Protection

Head of Safeguarding & Child Protection

Business Unit: SCHOOL SUPPORT CENTRE

Location: UAE - Dubai

Closing Date: 07-Dec-2022

About the Role

GEMS Education is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people. We recognise our responsibility to take all reasonable steps to promote safe practice and to protect children from harm, abuse, and exploitation. Child safeguarding is one of the organisation's most significant risks and the purpose of the role is to ensure the effective management of child safeguarding across the GEMS MENASA schools. This role will lead on child safeguarding framework and culture, this includes providing sound advice and support on child safeguarding matters to school leadership, developing child safeguarding policies, developing and delivering training programs, and reviewing safeguarding audits.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead the development of an operational practice to achieve the strategic goals of the department.
• Conduct regular reviews of the GEMS child safeguarding policies and procedures and ensure they are implemented across all GEMS MENASA schools
• Monitor all safeguarding incidents centrally and provide appropriate support and guidance on safeguarding.
• Influence school leaders and peers through the leadership style that reflects our core values and ensures compliance with all aspects of safeguarding policy and practice
• Advocate and practise effective mental health and wellbeing for yourself and safeguarding leads across GEMS Education.
• Establish controls to identify improvements to policies and practises.
• Coordinate training needs to ensure all schools and corporate offices are compliant.
• Chair the safeguarding board meetings and closely manage action points and update stakeholders.
• Review all safeguarding audits across GEMS schools and collaborate with schools to develop the implementation plans.
• Liaise with authorities in the UAE and external stakeholders to manage child safeguarding issues.
• Liaise with the GEMS appointed safeguarding consultant and ensure an on-going program of work is implemented.
• Develop and deliver specific trainings related to child safeguarding and ensure compliance.
• Conduct safeguarding audits across the MENASA schools and develop with the schools plans to implement the recommendations.
• Co-ordinate the GEMS MENASA Safeguarding network in collaboration with Kamet Ltd. Develop agendas, outputs and administrate the logistics of the group.

Expected Qualifications:

• Psychology Degree preferred, preferably in clinical or educational psychology or an appropriate degree for this position 
• Minimum Senior Designated Safeguarding Officer training

Expected Experience:

• Experience in dealing with inter-agency safeguarding, early intervention, and UK safeguarding experience and preferably be familiar with the UAE context.
• Must have a track record in a school managing multiple caseloads of children at risk, and in need. 

Job-Specific Knowledge & Skills:

• Exceptional communication skills at all levels
• Highly developed organisational and presentational skills.
• Experience working in a school or education provider at a leadership capacity.
• Have a thorough understanding of related educational safeguarding matters, ICT security, online abuse, bullying, self-harm, missing from education, behaviour management, and managing allegations.
• Be able to coordinate and manage child safeguarding data and information with sensitivity and confidentiality
• Excellent time management skills and be able to maintain high levels of speed and accuracy whilst managing competing priorities to challenging deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, matched with strong child-centric practice

About Your Benefits

We offer a competitive tax-free salary along with medical coverage, flight allowance, and tuition fee concession. 

About GEMS

Trusted for over 60 years and now a third generation education family, GEMS Education began in a single school room in Dubai. Today, we have the privilege of educating over 170,000 students from over 176 countries through GEMS owned and managed schools globally; over 270,000 students access resources through our services division.

About Application Process

If you meet the criteria and you are enthusiastic about the role, we would welcome your application.

To complete the application you would need the following document(s):

1. Resume/CV
2. Passport-size photograph

In line with the UAE's Emiratisation goals, GEMS welcomes and encourages applications from UAE nationals to join our fast-growing team.

Important Note : GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students. Applicants will be required to submit a current police criminal clearance check or equivalent from their home country or current country of residence prior to appointment.