School Psychologist (Early Years – Grade 5)

Kazakhstan International School Astana is seeking a qualified, empathetic, and proactive School Psychologist / Social-Emotional Counselor to work with primary school students, spanning from Early Years to Grade 5, within the IB PYP (Primary Years Programme) framework.

The primary objective of this role is to support the social-emotional, behavioral, and psychological development of young learners. The successful candidate will foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment while promoting the core values and culture of the school.

Key Responsibilities

1. Student Support & Psychological Assistance

• Conduct individual and group counseling sessions tailored for primary school-aged children.

• Provide targeted support to students with specific emotional, behavioral, and social needs.

• Develop and implement Individual Student Support Plans.

• Guide and support new students through their adaptation and integration into the PYP environment.

• Provide immediate and effective psychological aid in crisis situations.

2. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL within PYP)

• Design and deliver Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons adapted for children from Early Years to Grade 5.

• Cultivate students' self-regulation, emotional intelligence, empathy, and interpersonal skills in alignment with the IB Learner Profile and Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills.

• Integrate preventative mental health and well-being programs into the primary school framework.

3. Collaboration with Faculty & Staff

• Consult with homeroom and subject teachers on classroom management techniques and behavioral intervention strategies.

• Actively participate in multidisciplinary meetings and Student Support Team (SST) sessions.

• Collaborate with PYP Coordinators and leadership to plan preventative initiatives.

4. Parent & Community Engagement

• Conduct individual consultations for families regarding child development, parenting, and psychological well-being.

• Offer expert guidance to parents during crisis or transitional periods in a child's life.

• Facilitate thematic meetings, workshops, and seminars for the KIS parent community.

5. Assessment, Monitoring & Documentation

• Conduct psychological assessments within the scope of educational psychology and in accordance with the regulations of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

• Maintain rigorous, accurate, and confidential documentation, including student files, meeting minutes, session reports, and support team logs.

• Monitor student progress and track the effectiveness of ongoing interventions.

6. Child Protection, Safeguarding & Ethics

• Actively participate in and uphold Child Protection & Safeguarding procedures.

• Ensure strict confidentiality regarding the personal data of students and families.

• Fully adhere to the Code of Ethics, School Charter, and internal regulations outlined in the KIS Staff Handbook.

Candidate Profile

Education & Qualifications:

• Higher degree in a relevant field (Psychology, Educational Psychology, Clinical/Child Psychology).

• Compliance with the qualification requirements of the Republic of Kazakhstan for educational psychologists.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a child or school psychologist (experience in an international/primary school setting is highly preferred).

Key Competencies:

• Deep understanding of child psychology, emotional-volitional development, and adaptation mechanisms in children aged 3 to 11.

• Knowledge of the IB PYP framework and inquiry-based learning models is a significant advantage.

• Exceptional empathy, with the ability to quickly build trust with young children, parents, and a multicultural faculty.

• Strong case-management and documentation skills.

Language Requirements:

• English: Professional proficiency is mandatory (English is the language of planning, documentation, and communication with international staff and leadership).

• Russian & Kazakh: Fluency in both languages is required for effective communication with all students and parents.

What We Offer

• Official employment in accordance with the Labor Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

• A stable and prestigious position in a leading international school in Astana.

• A professional, multicultural, and highly supportive working environment.

• Opportunities for professional development and knowledge sharing within the school network.

  Start Date: August 10, 2026

  Schedule: Monday – Friday, 07:30 AM – 04:30 PM