Job Opportunity for Lead – Special Education Needs at Akanksha Foundation in Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune

Position Summary

The Lead, SEN will be a key position supporting the organization in its efforts to support children with special needs, across our schools. The Incumbent will have a chance to build a department and a team over the next few months that leads our efforts towards students with special learning needs. The incumbent will work closely with the learning team (Instructional Specialists + Counselling Leads) as well as our School Leadership & Coaches team. The big goal for the Lead, SEN is to set up a SEN wing with 4-5 special educators this year, that effectively supports all Akanksha schools with training, resources as well as direct efforts with children.

Reports To

Director of Learning

Specific responsibilities will include

Setting up and leading a new team

• Department structure and design keeping in mind organisation’s needs
• Policy creation, department system and documentation
• Guiding the team in the development of the individual learning profiles or IEPs and the development of differentiated instructional strategies for teachers as per the need
• Plan spaces where special educators can collaborate with other teams like counsellors, social workers, teachers and IS
• Help the special educators to plan PD for schools and parents

Supporting School Teams

• Building awareness and understanding in school-based educators around SEN and the most effective approach towards supporting students
• Identify reasons for learning gaps
• Developing a resourcing plan for various stages of school development with government liaison support
• Develop empowerment plans for schools and ensure effective execution in schools
• Guiding the school team toward formal assessment with outside agencies
• Guiding schools with students’ transitional plans
• Constructing protocols to support the school team regarding the implementation and execution of the IEPs

Central team support & collaboration

• Create systems and spaces for special educators to collaborate with other stakeholders
• Build awareness and plan sessions for the central team regarding inclusion, UDL, different learning needs and differentiation
• Updating the central team with the government documents with regards to children with disabilities

What you need for this role?

• Deep belief and commitment towards Akanksha’s vision and mission
• A mature leader with at least 6 years of experience in Special Education
• 2-3 years of relevant managerial experience
• Should be someone who is strategic, creative, energetic and resilient and has managed diverse stake-holders
• Problem-solving, decision making and outcomes management
• Prior experience in managing / coaching teams of special educators is (highly preferred)
• Work experience in an NGO within the last 5 years (preferred)
• Graduate / Post Graduate Degree in Special Education

Job Category: Central Support
Job Location: Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune