Head of Arabic Assessment

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Date: 27 Jul 2026

Location: Dubai, AE

Company: acer

Position overview

ACER UAE is part of the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving learning across the lifespan through research, assessment and evidence-informed practice.

For more than two decades, ACER Middle East has worked with schools, ministries and education leaders across the United Arab Emirates and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council region – including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain – to strengthen assessment practice and build a shared professional language around student progress.

 

As education systems across the Gulf continue to prioritise quality, foundational skills and equitable outcomes, ACER supports educators with research-based assessment tools, professional learning and evidence-informed insights that help teachers understand student learning and tailor teaching to individual needs. Today, the UAE office plays a significant role as ACER’s international assessment and product delivery hub, supporting the implementation and growth of global products such as IBT while also contributing to regional partnerships and education initiatives.

Position context

The Head of Arabic Assessment UAE will provide subject matter leadership and support to the ACER UAE team across the design, development, and quality assurance of Arabic assessments within ACER’s portfolio, including IBT and related programs. The role will work in close collaboration with ACER staff across the globe, in particular, with project leads in key assessments and Test Development leads.

 

The role will address a critical capability gap in Arabic curriculum standards and assessment design, working across internal and external stakeholders to ensure that assessments are aligned to appropriate learning levels, curriculum expectations, and regional contexts. This role will also collaborate with ACER colleagues to review and revise assessment frameworks to support sustainable delivery and improve market confidence.

Job responsibilities

Stakeholder and Market Alignment

  • Build and maintain relationships with key ministries, regulators and education stakeholders across the Middle East.
  • Represent ACER and provide expert advice on Arabic assessments.
  • Support responses to school feedback and ensure assessments meet regional expectations.
  • Collaborate with project teams and provide subject matter expertise as required.

Assessment Framework and Standards Alignment

  • Lead the review and alignment of Arabic assessments to recognised curriculum standards and learning progressions.
  • Map Arabic assessment content to the UAE MOE curriculum and identify gaps requiring item development.
  • Provide guidance on assessment frameworks, content scope and assessment design.

Test Design and Quality Assurance

  • Lead the development, review and quality assurance of Arabic assessment items and test forms.
  • Ensure curriculum alignment, content validity and linguistic accuracy.
  • Work with assessment, psychometric and reporting teams to support high-quality assessment outcomes.

Item Development and Review

  • Oversee Arabic item development across reading, writing, listening and related domains.
  • Establish standards for item writing and review.
  • Mentor item writers and support quality assurance processes.

Operational Delivery

  • Support the planning, prioritisation and delivery of Arabic assessment projects.
  • Contribute to key production stages, including panelling, revision, tashkeel and test assembly.
  • Resolve content-related issues during assessment development and delivery.

Continuous Improvement

  • Identify opportunities to improve Arabic assessment products, processes and delivery models.
  • Promote consistent assessment development practices across ACER.
  • Build capability within the Arabic team through coaching and knowledge sharing.

Key Outcomes

  • Improved curriculum alignment and quality of Arabic assessments.
  • Strong stakeholder relationships and increased market confidence.
  • Reduced school concerns regarding assessment level alignment.
  • Consistent assessment frameworks and streamlined development processes.

Organisational accountabilities

    • Developing Self – involves self-management, self-reflection and self-improvement
    • Embracing Change – being open to change and leading change when appropriate
    • Pursuing Excellence – ongoing search for new and better ways of working
    • Setting Directions – strategic thinking and planning for the future
    • Supporting Colleagues – supporting and contributing to the development of others
    • Working Collaboratively – building highly effective internal and external relationships
    • Actively work to create an equitable, fair and harmonious work environment which is free from harassment, bullying and discrimination by demonstrating respectful and courteous behaviour towards others
    • Proactively foster an inclusive and diverse work environment which encourages and respects different experiences and perspectives, and values diversity of thought
    • Comply with all occupational health and safety requirements, including following safe work practices for self and others
    • Work in accordance with ACER’s policies and procedures

Skills, knowledge and experience

Essential

  • Experience teaching Arabic within an international curriculum school, with a minimum of 15 years’ teaching experience.
  • Experience as Head of Arabic Faculty or an equivalent leadership role, including at least four years’ managerial experience leading a department in the UAE.
  • Strong subject matter expertise in Arabic language, curriculum, assessment, and learning progression.
  • Demonstrated ability to evaluate level appropriateness, curriculum alignment, and assessment quality.
  • Experience in assessment development or curriculum-aligned testing.
  • Strong judgement, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance academic rigour with practical delivery requirements.
  • Native Arabic speaker, fully fluent in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, together with fluency in English and strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong working knowledge of the UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) Arabic curriculum.
  • Strong stakeholder management, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and manage high-performing teams.

Desirable

  • Experience working across multiple curricula, such as IB, British, or American systems.
  • Experience with large-scale or standardised assessments.
  • Familiarity with computer-based or adaptive testing models.
  • Experience working in the Middle East education sector.

Qualifications

A relevant degree or qualification in Arabic language, education, or a related field.