ROLE DESCRIPTION

Al Jazira Football Academy seeks a dedicated Performance Psychology Lead to collaborate with the Head of Academy Physical Performance, engaging players and staff, educating them on psychological benefits for health and sports performance, and empowering them to enhance athletic performance and overall well-being through effective decision-making.

Please find attached the full job brief for more details. Qualified applicants may send their CV to -- with the subject line “Academy Performance Psychology Lead”

Job Brief/ Academy Performance Psychology Lead
Working alongside the Head of Academy Physical Performance, this unique role has three specific
purposes:
• Engage with our players and staff to understand their backgrounds, beliefs, and current
psychological practices.
• Educate our players and staff about the benefits of psychological methods for health and sporting
performance.
• Empower our players and staff to make effective and positive choices in Commitment,
Communication, Concentration, Control, and Confidence to enhance both their athletic
performance and overall well-being.
Role mandatory prerequisites
• Based in Al Shawamekh, Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Fluent in English
Key Responsibilities:
• Engage players and staff in interactive learning activities to promote understanding and
application of sports psychology principles.
• Develop a tailored Academy Psychological Education curriculum that embraces cultural
diversity, empowering players and staff to take ownership of their psychological well-being
and performance.
• Provide evidence-based education and support on psychological topics including
Commitment, Communication, Concentration, Control, and Confidence.
• Integrate sports psychology into coaching processes and other support disciplines to enhance
health and performance.
• Create personalized psychological support plans aligned with players' training schedules,
match preparation, and rest days.
• Support the academy's cultural values and goals across all activities.
• Stay updated on the latest research and best practices in sports psychology and apply them
to player and staff support.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of psychological support plans and progress using
relevant AMS systems.
• Contribute to staff Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions as needed.
General Responsibilities:
• Adhere to all club policies, health and safety procedures, and safeguarding policies.
• Maintain the highest standards of professional conduct.
• Undertake other reasonable duties as required.
Key Relationships:
• Head of Academy Physical Performance
• Academy Doctor
• Coaching teams (Lead cell coaches & Age group coaches)
• Performance teams (Medical, Sports Science, Performance Analysis & Human Science)
• Operations team (including Welfare & Education)
• External stakeholders (e.g., UAE FA, UAE Pro League)
Essential Requirements:
• Minimum 3 years' experience as a sports psychologist, preferably in football.
• Excellent knowledge of sports psychology principles (e.g., 5Cs) and practices.
• Ability to create individualized psychological plans based on player needs, goals, and
preferences.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in psychology; Master’s degree preferred.
• Certification as a registered psychologist (e.g., BASES, BPS) or evidence of working towards it.
• First aid qualified (BFAS).
• Safeguarding Understanding (DBS).
Desirable Skills:
• Knowledge and experience of Middle Eastern culture.
• UEFA/AFC Level 1 or 2 football coaching qualification.
• Excellent analytical skills (Excel, PowerBi).
• Additional language skills, e.g., Arabic, Spanish, French.
Safeguarding Statement: Due to our safeguarding promise, all roles involving children will require a
local police check upon commencing employment. Staff are expected to uphold the responsibilities
outlined in our policy and procedure.
What we offer:
• Competitive compensation ranging from AED 14,000 to AED 18,000, subject to qualifications
and experience.
• Full-time position: A minimum of 35 hours per week, with flexible scheduling that may include
weekends.
• Opportunity to work in a dynamic, supportive environment focused on professional growth.