Manager, Student Accessibility Services

About the role

Zayed University is looking for a Manager of Student Accessibility Services. The role oversees the operations of the Department of Student Accessibility Services, manages the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Team that supports students with special needs, and promotes awareness of the department across the university community. The position is based in Dubai and requires willingness to travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Key responsibilities

• Guide the development and implementation of long- and short-range plans for special education goals aligned with the department's strategy.
• Plan, develop and administer programs and services, maintain existing resources and explore new ones.
• Advise and support faculty in teaching and curriculum delivery for students with special educational needs, ensuring they have access to the full curriculum.
• Provide ongoing SEN assessments (screening to assessment) and recommend actions for Individual Educational Plans (IEPs).
• Create an annual budget, manage administrative work and generate ongoing SEN reports.
• Run accessibility workshops for faculty and staff and for high schools, and organize awareness events for the university community.
• Keep faculty, staff and students informed about access and accommodation issues, and advise the department director on SEN matters.
• Create marketing material encouraging students with disabilities to self-identify, and provide training to the community on supporting SEN students.
• Manage the allocation of support resources to identified SEN students and conduct research on SEN challenges.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in School or Clinical Psychology from an accredited institution, with at least 8 years of experience with SEN students, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Recognized license in school or clinical psychology covering learning difficulties.
• Familiarity with the UAE/Arabic collective society and culture is a necessity.
• Willingness to travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai when required.

Required skills

• Desired: ability to work unsupervised, strong knowledge of group dynamics and personal counseling techniques in an educational setting, and comfort with technology such as Excel and Word.
• Ability to build and sustain good relationships with staff and to motivate others.