Secondary School Counsellor - Maternity Cover
Department: Student Support
Reports to: Director of Student Support
Full time: 5 January – 31 July 2026 (with possibility of extension)
What do we offer?
At Copenhagen International School (CIS), you’ll join a dynamic and inclusive international community with over 80 nationalities represented among students and staff. As part of our Student Support Team, you’ll collaborate with passionate professionals dedicated to creating a school culture where students feel safe, seen, and supported.
We view counselling as an essential part of student wellbeing and development, and we are committed to delivering a comprehensive, preventative, and responsive counselling programme aligned with international best practices.
What difference will you make?
As our Secondary School Counsellor, you will support students from Grades 6–12 in navigating the challenges of adolescence, academic pressure, and personal development. You'll offer short-term counselling, lead preventative initiatives, and contribute to a culture of emotional wellbeing across the MYP and DP programmes.
You will work closely with students, faculty, and families to strengthen resilience, foster self-awareness, and promote belonging.
What is the job about?
As Secondary School Counsellor, you will:
Deliver a developmentally appropriate counselling programme aligned with ISCA/ASCA frameworks
Provide short-term counselling and case management for students
Lead small group interventions, wellness initiatives, and mental health campaigns
Collaborate with faculty, advisory teams, and the leadership team on wellbeing integration
Attend Student Study Team meetings and provide social-emotional expertise
Support access planning and referrals to external providers
Maintain accurate and confidential records of student support
Contribute to advisory programming and attend grade-level trips as needed
For a full overview of responsibilities and expectations, please see the job description: Counsellor, Secondary - job description - Oct 2025.pdf
What are our working conditions?
You’ll join a collaborative and student-centred support team, working closely with the Director of Student Support, Counsellor Coordinator, Secondary Leadership Team, learning support staff, advisory leaders, and other wellbeing professionals.
This is a full-time maternity cover position from 5 January 2026 to 31 July 2026 (with possibility of extension).
What do we expect from you?
A Master’s degree in School Counselling or a related mental health field
Experience counselling students in a secondary school setting
Familiarity with ISCA/ASCA standards and trauma-informed practice
Strong intercultural awareness and ability to connect with diverse learners
Excellent communication and collaboration skills
Fluency in English; other languages are an asset
IB MYP/DP experience and international school background preferred
Ready to apply?
Apply by: 20th October 2025
Please submit:
A motivated application (cover letter)
A detailed CV
Contact information for at least three references
Please note: This is a local position. CIS does not offer relocation assistance. You must have a valid work permit for Denmark to be eligible.
CIS reserves the right to make an appointment before the closing date in the case of an exceptional applicant.
We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply. CIS reserves the right to make an appointment before the closing date in case of an outstanding applicant.
Employment at CIS is conditional upon the successful completion of an extensive background check, including verification of education, employment references, and a criminal history check covering the past 10 years. Additionally, all candidates will be required to complete child protection safeguarding training and other relevant assessments as part of our commitment to student safety and well-being.
Our working language is English and we look forward to receiving your application and CV in English as a PDF.
Candidate experience with CIS
CIS is fully committed to equity and inclusion; inclusion is one of our core values: "we create a welcoming environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging and has equitable opportunities every day”. In the implementation of all of our educational and employment policies and practices, we do not tolerate discrimination and therefore make sure to observe the anti-discrimination regulation, including the protection against discrimination based on race, color, gender, citizenship, ethnic or social origin, age, disability, political views, religion, belief, sexual orientation and union membership.
In line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), at CIS we believe all learners have equal rights to be protected from harm and abuse. CIS is a community school that strives to meet its students' many needs in a safe and secure environment. To achieve this aim, we build a culture of child protection at the school wherein all community members understand and meet their responsibilities and put the needs of the learners in the school community first. We meet the many challenges of establishing and sustaining a protection culture in our international, mobile, and varied community and context. Everybody at CIS has a responsibility to support the protection of learners. We will act without hesitation to ensure a child-safe environment. We also support the rights and well-being of our staff and volunteers and encourage their active participation in building and maintaining a secure environment for all participants.
