This 14 year old boy has had a rather troubled few years recently coping with a parental divorce and unsettled schooling, including periods of being bullied. This has left the young man with a low self-image that has manifested as a number of anxiety related conditions including anorexia, self-harm, truancy, running away, and a general discomfort with himself and with life’s opportunities.

The boy is now receiving psychiatric help and has been prescribed anti-depressants. While this has certainly helped to calm him down, it would be an exaggeration to suggest that he is anything like in recovery yet. Not surprisingly, he does not yet see his parents in a good light and tends to pick fights with them, but he is no longer self-harming and there are some positive signs that recovery will come. He has been taken out of school and there are no plans for him to return to formal education until he is completely ready. At this stage, school subjects are of low importance; as he recovers, the boy will gently need to be caught up with his peers. In the meantime, the tutoring role is more about exploration and discovery of the world at large, and about restoring the boy’s self-esteem and confidence, and building a healthy self-image.

He has many interests and is highly intelligent. He is agile and athletic, and an excellent swimmer, but does not like sports. He loves nature and animals, from domestic pets to insects and reptiles, although he is not so sure about handling snakes! He likes photography and being outdoors, and so it is envisaged that a good Tutor will encourage these interests, perhaps by combining them into a project on the fauna of the region.

He lives with his mother. His father and his grandfather live nearby and the boy enjoys visiting both these homes, where he can swim and play. It is likely that, in the fullness of time, a schoolroom will be made at his grandfather’s house, where he particularly enjoys spending his time.

The Tutor’s role exists on many levels. At the heart of this role is the need to develop in the boy a raison d’être, to illuminate his spirit and restore his self-belief. It is envisaged that a creative and able Tutor with many interests of their own and an apparently endless reserve of energy and ideas will help him rediscover his place in the world.

The Tutor should therefore develop a structured and busy program of outdoor activities that incorporate physical development and good nutritional habits into the boy’s current interests, and that cultivate new ones. His love of nature and animals, and the family’s means, lends itself to a host of possibilities. Clearly, the Tutor will not be responsible for instruction in all possible activities by him or herself, but should co-ordinate, support and encourage him as needed. For example, a family friend owns an equestrian centre that teaches circus skills and it is hoped that this, too, may be incorporated into the range of activities on offer and to be tried.

On a wider level, the Tutor will be gradually and subtly re-incorporate learning and a love of learning into the boy’s activities, so that, in due course, when he is ready, he can return to school and integrate smoothly.

In addition to working with the boy, the Tutor is expected to help guide his parents to what they may do to help rebuild their relationship with their son.

This is a full time position.

The Tutor will typically start work mid-morning after the boy’s breakfast, around 10.30-11.00am. Lunch is normally 1-1.30pm and dinner is at 8pm. The Tutor will not generally work with him after dinner, but there may be special occasions, such as a sports or a cultural event in the evening that he and the Tutor might like to see. Weekends, which are Friday and Saturday, will be the off for the Tutor.

The standard minimum 9 weeks paid vacation applies as per the Terms and Conditions.

The Client will provide fully furnished lodging, with Internet, in a separate apartment.Ӭ There is public transport available, and the Tutor will also be assigned a driver.

The Client travels frequently, especially to the UK, and it is possible the Tutor will be asked to accompany the family. On these occasions the Client will be responsible for the Tutor’s full expenses.

The boy will be taking Arabic lessons locally, and would be ideal if the Tutor were willing to join these lessons so that the two students can learn with and from one another.

The Client will arrange for an appropriate visa for the Tutor for the duration of the contract.

Applicants are reminded that they are applying for a role in an Arab country and the Client will be sponsoring their visa. It is essential that the Tutor understands, respects, and adheres to the code of conduct in force in Dubai. Shortlisted candidates will need to pass a medical exam and provide the Company and Client with the results of a blood test that proves that they are negative for TB and HIV/AIDS, and that proves that they are not regular users of any recreational drugs.