Assistant Principal Safeguarding Lead - Jan 2027

About GEMS International School, Dubai Hills

Located in the heart of Dubai Hills, GEMS International School (GIS) is a leading IB World School offering the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum. 

As the official GEMS Centre of Excellence for Aeronautics, Aviation and Space, GIS combines academic excellence with future-focused learning, preparing confident, globally minded students for success at leading universities worldwide.

Why Join GEMS International School, Dubai Hills?

• Full IB continuum within a collaborative, inquiry-led learning environment.
• Prime location in the prestigious Dubai Hills community.
• Official GEMS Centre of Excellence for Aeronautics, Aviation and Space.
• Exceptional university outcomes, with 100% of the Class of 2024 securing university places and 91% gaining entry to their first-choice institution, and USD $31.5 million in university scholarships awarded to the Class of 2024.
• A culture that values innovation, wellbeing and professional growth.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and dedicated Assistant Principal – Safeguarding Lead to provide whole-school leadership for safeguarding and child protection at GEMS International School – Dubai Hills.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, reporting to the Senior Vice Principal – Student Life & Culture, you will champion a strong safeguarding culture, oversee child protection practices and ensure compliance with GEMS, UAE and KHDA requirements. Working collaboratively with school leaders and external agencies, you will play a vital role in ensuring every student feels safe, supported and valued.

Start Date: January 2027 (flexibility for a later start for the right candidate)

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for safeguarding and child protection across all school phases, ensuring compliance with GEMS, UAE and KHDA requirements.
• Oversee safeguarding concerns and complex child protection cases, ensuring timely identification, accurate recording, appropriate referrals and effective escalation.
• Promote a strong safeguarding culture through preventative education, student voice, early intervention and inclusive practices that support vulnerable learners.
• Lead safeguarding training, professional development and awareness initiatives, ensuring all staff understand their responsibilities, reporting procedures and professional boundaries.
• Work collaboratively with HR to support safer recruitment, staff vetting, professional conduct and appropriate safeguarding procedures.
• Drive safeguarding quality assurance, policy reviews, audits and school improvement initiatives, ensuring robust systems and inspection readiness.
• Provide professional guidance and support to safeguarding leads, pastoral teams and school leaders, strengthening consistency, accountability and effective multi-agency collaboration.
• Contribute to whole-school strategic planning, critical incident management, student wellbeing initiatives and wider school improvement priorities as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A Bachelor's degree and recognised teaching qualification (PGCE, BEd or equivalent). A relevant postgraduate or leadership qualification is desirable.
• Proven school leadership experience, with substantial responsibility for safeguarding and child protection, ideally including experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
• Strong experience managing complex safeguarding concerns, multi-agency referrals, safeguarding training and policy implementation.
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding legislation, child protection procedures, safer recruitment and regulatory compliance, ideally within a UAE or international school environment.
• Experience of leading safeguarding quality assurance, risk management and school improvement initiatives.
• The ability to guide, support and challenge colleagues at all levels, demonstrating sound judgement, discretion and confidence when managing sensitive situations.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills, with a strong commitment to student safety, inclusion and wellbeing.

Why join GEMS?

At GEMS Education, you will become part of a global network of educators committed to shaping the future of education. We offer a supportive and collaborative environment where school leaders are empowered to innovate, inspire, and make a lasting difference.

You will benefit from opportunities for professional development, career progression, and collaboration across our extensive network of international schools, alongside a competitive employment package.

Next Steps

If you are an ambitious educational leader passionate about outstanding teaching and learning, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your application, including an up-to-date CV, through our careers portal.

We are ideally seeking an appointment for January 2027; however, a later start date may be considered for the right candidate.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted regarding the next stages of the recruitment process.

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are dedicated to creating safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments where students can thrive, and we expect all employees, volunteers, and partners to share this commitment.

As part of our safer recruitment practices, all successful applicants will be subject to comprehensive pre-employment checks, including verification of identity, qualifications, employment history, professional references, and criminal record checks from all countries of residence and employment, in line with local and international safeguarding requirements. These checks may include enhanced disclosure, prohibition, barring, and overseas police clearance checks where applicable. We are committed to recruiting individuals who uphold the highest standards of professional conduct and child protection.