Application Open:
Full-Time
Job Purpose:
The Learning Support Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring that students of determination at MBZUAI receive equitable access to education and the necessary support to succeed academically. This role involves assessing students’ disability-related needs upon entry, developing individualized learning support plans, and coordinating accommodations such as extended assessment times, assistive technologies, and academic coaching. Working closely with faculty, supervisors, and support services, the role ensures compliance with individualized plans, facilitates accessible learning, and provides staff training on inclusive practices. Responsibilities include monitoring student progress, identifying interventions, advocating for accessibility, and supporting curriculum design to enhance inclusivity. Additionally, the specialist delivers resources, workshops, and peer support initiatives while reporting on service outcomes and recommending improvements to strengthen learning support at MBZUAI.
Key Responsibilities:
Student Support & Accommodations:
- Assess and identify disability-related support needs for students of determination upon entry to MBZUAI.
- Develop and implement individualized learning support plans, ensuring appropriate accommodation such as extended assessment times, assistive technologies, and advance lecture notes.
- Provide academic coaching to promote equal opportunities for student success.
Management Plan & Coordination:
- Collaborate with student supervisors to review and update individualized learning plans each semester or as needed.
- Ensure support plans are shared with relevant faculty and staff while maintaining confidentiality.
- Liaise with MBZUAI support services to ensure students’ physical safety, reasonable residential accommodations, and personalized fire evacuation plans.
Academic & Faculty Support:
- Facilitate academic support for students with learning disabilities, including autism and ADHD, through coaching in study skills, time management, and research planning.
- Provide faculty and staff with training on inclusive learning practices and disability support strategies.
- Work with students to establish peer support groups and networks that foster belonging and mutual support.
Curriculum & Program Accessibility:
- Develop and deliver resources, workshops, and coaching programs to equip students with essential academic skills.
- Collaborate with program designers to ensure accessibility and equitable assessment in course structures.
- Identify at-risk students and coordinate intervention plans with faculty to support academic progress.
Advocacy & Compliance:
- Advocate for program accessibility, compliance with individualized learning plans, and inclusive learning environments.
- Work with university stakeholders to implement reasonable solutions that enhance student success.
- Report on learning support service outcomes, tracking KPIs and recommending strategic improvements.
Other Duties:
- Perform all other duties as reasonably directed by the line manager that are commensurate with these functional objectives.
Academic Qualification:
- A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in disability studies, teaching, special needs education, psychology, or other relevant discipline. A postgraduate degree in a related discipline is preferred.
Professional Experience:
Essential
- At least four years’ experience working successfully as a disability support officer in a university or other academic institution.
- Demonstrable experience providing academic advice to students of determination and other students in a university or other academic institution.
- Demonstrable knowledge and in-depth understanding of learning disabilities, neurodevelopmental disorders, mental health disorders, and sensory and physical impairmentsand the impact of these on individuals’ abilities to learn and participate equally in higher education.
- Demonstrable knowledge and evidence of prior successful application of reasonable accommodations and program enhancements that can be made to support tertiary students of determination to have an equal ability to access, participate in, and achieve higher education.
- Evidence of having designed and/or delivered workshops and training to faculty and staff on the impact of disabilities on learning and what accommodations are necessary and appropriate to provide students of determination so they have equal opportunities to succeed.
- Superior communication skills, and evidence of having built trusting and empathic relationships with people of determination.
- Demonstrable ability to influence stakeholders for the benefit of students’ academic progress and success.
- Excellent computing skills, particularly with MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Excellent written communication skills with particular competency in high-level report writing and presenting visualizations of findings and recommendations.
- Proven record of managing complex projects, office administration, meeting deadlines, and achieving results.
- Demonstrated success operating in a multicultural environment, and adapting systems and processes to meet diverse expectations and needs.
- Exposure to and understanding of Middle Eastern business and cultural practices.
Preferred
- Professional credentialing as an autism spectrum disorder coach, ADHD coach, special educational needs practitioner, or counselor in a relevant field.
