Special Needs Education Officer (Eldoret) – Kenya Primary Literacy Program (KPLP) At Education Development Center

EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity, with a focus on vulnerable and under-served populations. Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.

EDC is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Project Description:

The Kenya Primary Literacy Program (KPLP) is a five-year initiative funded by USAID that supports the Kenyan Ministry of Education to deliver interventions at scale as well as pilot and expand innovations that address the language and literacy needs of primary grade learners while building more inclusive, accountable, and resilient education institutions and systems.

KPLP has three broad objectives:

1. Improving education services and student learning outcomes, including for vulnerable populations;

2. Strengthening education institutions and systems to become more accountable, self-sustaining, and resilient; and

3. Empowering local youth organizations to strengthen and sustain community and family support for student learning and wellbeing.

Position Description:

The Eldoret Special Needs Education (SNE) Officer provides training, technical assistance, and follow-up in special needs education at the regional level and with Education Assessment and Research Centers’ staff. The SNE Officer is responsible for ensuring that educational services are accessible to learners with special needs, promoting inclusive education practices, and supporting teachers and educational staff in implementing effective strategies for special needs education.

This is a full-time position based in Eldoret, Kenya, and relocation costs will not be provided. The SNE Officer will work closely with the KPLP Senior Inclusive Education Advisor and reports to the Eldoret Regional Education Advisor.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide training and professional development for teachers and educational staff on inclusive education practices.
• Offer technical assistance and follow-up support to ensure the effective implementation of inclusive education practices.
• Collaborate with Education Assessment and Research Centers staff to develop and implement assessment tools and strategies for learners with special needs.
• Support the development and adaptation of educational Teaching and Learning Materials to meet the needs of learners with disabilities.
• Facilitate community and family engagement initiatives to promote understanding and support for inclusive education.
• Support and work with EARCs staff to conduct functional screening assessments for learners with possible disabilities, and linkages to referrals for specialized services.
• Support Curriculum Support Officer (CSO)-SNE and teachers in pedagogy in Early Grade Literacy.
• Travel within the region for field work related to project delivery.

Qualifications

The candidate for the position of SNE Officer shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Education, Psychology, or a related field.

Skills and Experience:

• Five to six (5-6) years of directly relevant experience required.
• Prior experience working on USAID-funded projects preferred.
• Deep knowledge of the Kenyan education sector, and prior working experience in the field of early-grade reading is preferred.
• Technical experience in one or more of the following areas: education for learners with Hearing Impairments or Vision Impairments, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Universal Design for Assessment (UDA), Special Education, and/or remedial reading education.
• Prior training or professional experience in one or more of the following areas: Education for learners with Hearing Impairments or Vision Impairments, hearing and vision screening, and/or allied health services for persons with disabilities.
• Ability to develop, adapt and deliver specialized training materials for teachers of learners with Hearing Impairments or Vision Impairments, including the use of Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) and Braille to support teaching and learning instruction.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with employees at all levels.
• Good report writing skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Effective oral and written communication skills in English and Kiswahili.

Language:

Fluency in English and Kiswahili is required. Fluency in Kenyan Sign Language or ability to read and write in braille is an additional advantage.

Other:

Applicants must be Kenyan nationals or hold current work authorization.