Job Announcement : Disability Support Officer – Education (Closing date - 26 March 2018)

Disability Support Officer – Education

Based in Dili, with an estimated 3-4 days per week of overnight travel to various Municipalities

Full-time position for 8 months, with possibility of extension

About the Program

The Partnership for Human Development (PHD) represents Australia’s long-term vision for enhancing human development in Timor-Leste. It brings together the Australian Embassy’s (Timor-Leste) diverse activities in health, education, water, nutrition, gender equality, disability and social protection into a single program to maximise effectiveness, relevance and performance. Improved human development will ensure that coming generations of Timorese people are better able to lead, contribute to and benefit from their nation’s economic and social development.

PHD supports the Government of Timor-Leste to improve the quality of basic education, through several programs aimed at enhancing student learning outcomes, underpinned by improvements in teacher quality, school leadership, and effectiveness. The Professional Learning and Mentoring Program (PLMP) is a key investment and is focused on improving teacher quality and the school learning environment. Disability Inclusive Development (DID) is a key development priority for the Australian Government as affirmed in Development for All 2015-2020: Strategy for strengthening disability-inclusive development in Australia’s aid program. The PLMP program is seeking to incorporate DID into the program by ensuring all leaders and teachers have strategies to address inclusivity, including catering for the needs of children with disabilities.

About the Position

We are seeking applications for a Disability Support Officer – Education to provide advice and support to PLMP mentors, school leaders and teachers across various municipalities, on approach and strategies to support inclusive education and more positive outcomes for children with disabilities. The position will provide expertise in planning, coordination and support to implement on Ministry inclusive education activities stakeholders. The key responsibilities of this position include (but are not limited to):

· Plan and coordinate Inclusive Education activities to improve literacy/numeracy and other wider learning outcomes

· To identify gaps and opportunities to support mentors/school leaders and teachers to implement specific strategies relevant to children with disabilities; through observing classroom teaching and environmental conditions in PLMP schools and other Ministry of Education schools

· Provide training on disability related issues that are context specific to International and National Mentors and Accompaniers, so they may effectively support teachers and school leaders to identify and address the needs of children with disabilities

· Network effectively with all relevant stakeholders and share knowledge and information to support the capacity building of Inclusive Education at all levels

The ideal candidate will have:

· Bachelor of Education, ideally with studies in either disability or education or at least 5 years relevant experience

· Proven experience in the coaching and capacity development of others to support children with disabilities, to improve literacy/numeracy and overall educational outcomes

Experience of appropriate teaching tools and techniques for children with special needs
Willingness to travel in regional locations essential.

· Proficiency in Tetum and English

· Prior local language skills (Tetum, Portuguese or Bahasa Indonesian)

How to apply
Further information can found in the Position Description available from the Careers page of the Abt Associates website http://abtjta.turborecruit.com.au/job/jobDetailsPreview.cfm?id=1014191

Applications can be lodged through PHD Human Resources email hr@phd.tl - please insert the job title in the email subject heading. All applications are to include a current CV and cover letter.

Applications close Monday 26 March 2018 (11pm Timor-Leste).
We welcome and thank all applications, however only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Abt Associates is a recognised leader in the international development sector. Working with our many partners, Abt Associates implements bold innovative solutions to improve the lives of the community and deliver valued outcomes for our clients. We provide a comprehensive range of services from policy to service delivery in the public and private sectors contributing to long term benefits for clients and communities. Operating in remote and challenging environments, we offer innovative solutions, extensive experience in the region, strong technical capacity, and a proven project management track record. We are committed to gender equity in our employment strategies and encourage applications from capable women. Abt Associates is a child safe organisation and promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children.