Principal Officer - Office of the Differently Abled Persons at United States International University - USIU Africa

Job purpose

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

Key Responsibilities

• Establish the Differently Abled Persons & Special Needs resource center;
• Ensure the full adherence and compliance of the access of Differently Abled Persons and other Special Needs (DAP & SN) 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 Differently Abled Persons & Special Needs ;
• Collect and document data on recruitment, admission, enrollment, retention and graduation of Differently Abled Persons & 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 Differently Abled Persons & Special Needs in relation to information on all university services;
• Notify the relevant department/support services of any admission or recruitment of Differently Abled Persons & Special Needs and of the special or additional learning support required by the person(s);
• Document and track complaints raised by or relating to Differently Abled Persons & 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 Differently Abled Students with and 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 Differently Abled Persons & Special Needs;
• Monitor, assess and evaluate the university’s adherence to the access of the Differently Abled Persons & Special Needs 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 Differently Abled Persons & Special Needs policy to ensure that emerging issues, practices and trends in the provision of quality services, products and educations to Differently Abled Persons & Special Needs are, where appropriate, incorporated therein.

Qualifications /Educational/Professional/experience

• Master’s degree from an accredited university.
• Five 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.

Competencies & Skills

• Knowledge of curriculum and pedagogy techniques for Differently Abled Persons & 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.