Personal Assistant to the Principal - UAE National

Description

Personal Assistant to the Principal Role Profile

Purpose of Role

The role of Personal Assistant to the Principal is a pivotal position at the heart of
our school’s leadership. You will provide high-quality, confidential, and proactive administrative and personal support to the Principal, ensuring the smooth and efficient management of their daily schedule, communications, and strategic priorities. The PA acts as the first point of contact for all matters relating to the Principal’s office, representing the school with professionalism and discretion at all times.

About the School:

Aspen Heights British School (AHBS) is a truly inclusive school based on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. We are proud of our inclusive ethos and our commitment to ensuring all children are provided with personalised learning experiences and the proper support to ensure they can make progress in learning in all areas.

ISP Principles
Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

Key Responsibilities
Executive Support

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  Manage the Principal’s diary, appointments, and meetings, ensuring effective time management and prioritisation.
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  Prepare agendas, take minutes, and follow up on action points for leadership and governance meetings.
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  Handle all correspondence (email, telephone, and written), drafting responses and managing communications on behalf of the Principal.
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  Support the Principal in preparation for meetings, visits, and presentations, including compiling reports, data, and briefings.
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  Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.

Administration & Coordination

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  Coordinate school events, inspections, visits, and key functions (e.g., governor meetings, ADEK Inspections, awards ceremonies).
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  Maintain accurate records, databases, and filing systems (digital and paper).
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  Liaise with internal and external stakeholders including staff, governors, parents, and local authorities.
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  Support recruitment, HR administration, and compliance tasks as required by the Principal.

Communication & Public Relations

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  Serve as a professional first point of contact for the Principal’s office.
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  Draft letters, reports, and other communications.
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  Coordinate communication between the Principal, senior leadership team, and other school departments.
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  Be available during evenings, weekends, and holidays, should urgent messages require issuing.

Operational Support

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  Manage the Principal’s travel arrangements and expenses.
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  Support project planning and school improvement initiatives as delegated by the Principal.
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  Oversee administrative processes to ensure efficiency and alignment with school policies.
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  Arrange and provide refreshments when required (e.g. for guests, visitors).

Health and Safety

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  Emphasizes the importance of safety in all areas of the curriculum, communicating to the pupils the importance of a responsible attitude towards personal safety, the safety of others and respect for Aspen Heights British School’s property and equipment
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  Safeguard Aspen students
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  Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities
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  Assist in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct
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  Ensure that, all the necessary health and safety rules and procedures are being followed
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  Maintain an awareness of all the health and safety measures to be taken when in school

Personal and Professional Conduct
All staff are expected to demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct. Staff must maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school, by:

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  Treating students with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect, and at all times observing proper boundaries appropriate to a teacher’s professional position
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  Having regard for the need to safeguard students’ well-being
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  Showing tolerance of and respect for the rights of others
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  Not undermining fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
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  Ensuring that personal beliefs are not expressed in ways which exploit students’ vulnerability or might lead them to break the law
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  Staff must have proper and professional regard for the ethos, policies and practices of the school in which they teach, and maintain high standards in their own attendance and punctuality
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  Staff must have an understanding of, and always act within, the cultural expectations of UAE and the policies and expectations of the school which set out their professional duties and responsibilities.

Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified.
Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.
Employees are expected to be courteous to colleagues and provide a welcoming environment to visitors and telephone callers.

Qualities and Expectations
Essential

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  Fluent in English, written and spoken.
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  Proven experience as a Personal Assistant, Executive Assistant, or Senior Administrator.
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  Excellent organisational, time management, and communication skills.
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  High level of IT proficiency (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, MIS systems).
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  Ability to work independently, prioritise effectively, and meet deadlines.
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  Strong interpersonal skills and a professional, approachable manner.
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  Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Desirable

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  Fluent in English and Arabic, written and spoken.
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  Experience in an educational environment.
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  Knowledge of school administrative systems and policies.
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  Event management or project coordination experience.

Working Hours & Leave

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  Monday to Thursday: 7:15am – 3:45 pm
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  Friday: 7:15 am – 12:15 pm
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  Availability required outside regular hours for key school events inspections or

emergencies, as agreed with the Principal

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  Follows academic staff leave, excluding the summer where a return is expected two

weeks prior to the start of the academic year to support leadership preparation and
new staff induction.

Line Management

• Reports directly to the Principal.
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  Works closely with the Heads of School, SLT, Reception, and cross-functional leads

(Marketing, Admissions, Facilities, IT, HR).

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles
ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply