Principal Officer- Office of Disability Inclusion at United States International University - USIU Africa

Job Purpose:

Reporting to the Deputy Vice Chancellor- Academic and Student Affairs, the holder of this position will be responsible for providing administrative and technical leadership in the establishment and operations of a Disability Inclusion resource center. The center will ensure accessibility and inclusivity of Persons with Disability and other Special Needs in all the university’s processes, programs, services, facilities and equipment.

Key Responsibilities/Tasks:

• Establish the Disability Inclusion resource center;
• Ensure the full adherence and compliance of the access of the USIU Africa Disability Policy by all arms of the university community;
• Develop tools, instruments, controls and procedures for monitoring, assessment, evaluation and tracking of the provision of services for Persons with Disability & other Special Needs;
• Collect and document data on recruitment, admission, enrollment, retention and graduation of Persons with Disability & other Special Needs;
• Keep records of the diagnoses or natures of the disabilities or special needs presented and performing periodic reviews of the same;
• Act as the point of contact for Persons with Disability& other Special Needs in relation to information on all university services;
• Notify the relevant department/support services of any admission or recruitment of Persons with Disability& other Special Needs and of the special or additional learning support required by the person(s);
• Document and track complaints raised by or relating to Persons with Disability & other Special Needs regarding their work, or in and out of class experience while on or out of campus;
• Liaise with the parents/guardians and support systems for Persons with Disability and other Special Needs on their general social and academic welfare;
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, agencies and committees to generate information, training and advocacy/sensitization programs on the needs of Persons with Disability & other Special Needs;
• Monitor, assess and evaluate the university’s adherence to the USIU Africa Disability Policy and relevant legal and statutory requirements, and recommend revisions as may be necessary. Such revisions shall be undertaken with due involvement of the office holder.
• Conduct periodic reviews and updating of the USIU Africa Disability Policy to ensure that emerging issues, practices and trends in the provision of quality services, products and educations to Persons with Disability & other Special Needs are, where appropriate, incorporated therein.

Qualifications /Educational/Professional/experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Special needs education from an accredited university.
• At least 10 years of work experience in the area of disability inclusion or its equivalent preferably in an institution of higher learning.
• Membership in relevant professional bodies.

Skills and Competencies

• Knowledge of curriculum and pedagogy techniques for Persons with Disability & Special Needs;
• A working understanding of research methodologies;
• Strong leadership, analytical & critical thinking skills;
• Strong interpersonal & communication skills;
• Be self-motivated and highly-disciplined;
• High level of integrity & confidentiality;
• Good listening and mediation skills;
• Planning and organization skills;
• Decision making skills.