Manager - Community Outreach & National Identity (UAE National)

Role Overview

Manager - Community Outreach & National Identity at Aldar Education, based in the United Arab Emirates. This role supports Aldar Education's family of premium schools across Abu Dhabi and serves as a resource to school leaders implementing community engagement and National Identity initiatives.

Company Overview

Aldar Education has grown since 2007 from 250 students to over 38,000 students across more than 25 owned and managed premium and super-premium schools and academies. The group partners with prestigious institutions including Rugby School, King's College Wimbledon, and Cranleigh. Aldar Education employs over 5,000 educators from more than 100 nationalities and delivers world-class education across multiple curricula and learning pathways from nursery through K12. The organisation contributes to the UAE's vision for a sustainable, knowledge-based economy through premium education.

Role Purpose

To develop, implement and monitor a coherent community outreach and National Identity strategy aligned with Aldar Education priorities and ADEK requirements. The role supports schools in embedding National Identity across curriculum, enrichment, student leadership and everyday practice, strengthens parent and community engagement, and evaluates impact through quality assurance and evidence-based improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and School Support

• Develop and deliver a coherent community outreach and National Identity strategy aligned with Aldar Education priorities and current ADEK requirements.
• Set clear minimum standards, annual priorities, templates and implementation guidance while allowing schools to respond to their individual context and community.
• Monitor each school's National Identity strategy and annual action plan, confirming Principal approval, alignment with school improvement priorities and termly review.
• Follow up on agreed actions from school monitoring and reviews.
• Provide challenge, coaching and practical support to school leaders and designated school-based leads.
• Agree improvement actions with school leaders and monitor delivery.
• Create a network of school community and National Identity leads to share effective practice, collaborate on initiatives and provide peer support.

National Identity and ADEK Readiness

• Support schools to embed the National Identity Mark domains of Culture, Values and Citizenship, including UAE history, heritage, Arabic language, respect, compassion, global understanding, belonging, volunteering and conservation.
• Ensure National Identity is visible through curriculum, enrichment, assemblies, student leadership, the school environment, communications and everyday practice rather than stand-alone events alone.
• Coordinate with curriculum leaders to review National Identity in curriculum maps, teaching, assessment and student work through existing school quality-assurance processes.
• Coordinate and monitor the Nabati poetry programme with Arabic and Ministry of Education curriculum leaders, including planning, staff preparation, resources and evidence of student learning.
• Guide schools in establishing and maintaining effective School National Identity Committees, including meaningful involvement of UAE National parents and clear evidence of actions and impact.
• Monitor school National Identity leadership arrangements, committee effectiveness, student ambassador programmes, and relevant staff training and induction.
• Coordinate readiness reviews, evidence audits and school visits against ADEK expectations.
• Track actions arising from internal review and external evaluation through to completion.
• Maintain current knowledge of relevant ADEK policies and evaluation expectations, communicating changes and supporting consistent implementation across schools.
• Maintain a central register of applicable National Identity requirements, each school's implementation progress, supporting evidence and improvement actions.
• Escalate unresolved gaps to the Director of Arabic & Ministry of Education Curriculum and Quality Compliance team.

Community and Parent Engagement

• Help schools map their communities and develop engagement plans that build trust, respond to local needs and widen participation among families and community stakeholders.
• Strengthen the role of parents as partners in learning and members of the school community, with particular attention to Emirati parent voice and involvement.
• Develop partnerships with relevant government, cultural, heritage, Arabic-language, higher education, charitable, volunteering, sustainability and industry organisations.
• Lead or coordinate group-wide campaigns, events and community programmes with clear educational outcomes, defined responsibilities and post-activity evaluation.
• Promote student-led volunteering, conservation and civic initiatives that develop belonging, responsibility and active citizenship.
• Track student participation in volunteering, cultural visits and community initiatives across schools, including equitable access and evidence of student outcomes.

Quality Assurance and Impact

• Define and maintain a concise dashboard covering engagement, committee effectiveness, partnership quality, participation, school improvement actions and National Identity outcomes.
• Use surveys, focus groups, participation data, observations, student work and case studies to evaluate impact and inform continuous improvement.
• Provide termly reports to the Director of Arabic & Ministry of Education Curriculum and relevant senior stakeholders on implementation, quality, student outcomes, equitable participation, risks and improvement actions.
• Ensure all visits, events, volunteers and partnership activities comply with safeguarding, risk assessment, consent, approvals, records and reputational requirements.
• Identify professional development needs and design or commission training that enables school teams to deliver consistently high-quality provision.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Community Development, Social Sciences, Public Relations, Cultural Studies, Arabic Studies or a related field.
• Teaching qualification or postgraduate qualification in educational leadership, community engagement or programme management is desirable.
• At least 5 years' experience as a middle or senior manager or leader within a school, education organisation, community engagement function or related field.
• Demonstrable UAE experience and a strong understanding of the Abu Dhabi education and community context.
• Experience designing, implementing and evaluating multi-stakeholder programmes; multi-school or group-level experience is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in school improvement, curriculum review and evaluation of evidence of implementation and impact.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of UAE culture, heritage, values and national priorities, with the judgement to represent them accurately and authentically.
• Working knowledge of the ADEK National Identity Mark, school governance and parent engagement expectations, or the ability to acquire this rapidly.
• Professional proficiency in Arabic and English, including the ability to review Arabic documentation, engage cultural partners and communicate effectively about Nabati poetry.
• Strong programme and project management skills, with diligent follow-up and the ability to convert strategy into practical school-level delivery.
• Ability to analyse evidence, distinguish activity from impact and present clear recommendations to senior leaders.
• Highly effective stakeholder management, facilitation, influencing and networking skills, supported by cultural sensitivity and diplomacy.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Creative, collaborative and solution-focused approach, with the flexibility to attend occasional evening or weekend community events.

Additional Information

• Medical cover, flights, housing and free child school places provided.
• Professional development, coaching and training emphasised.
• Access to a wide network of professionals and opportunities to lead and contribute to training others.
• Aldar Education encourages applications from UAE Nationals.
• Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.
• Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance.