Special Educator

Organization: Mousawat Organization
Position: Special Educator
Duty Station: South Lebanon – mainly Saida, Tyre and surrounding Palestinian camps and gatherings
Type of Position: Full-time, field-based
Starting Date: As soon as possible

About the Position

Mousawat Organization is seeking a qualified and experienced Special Educator to join its Inclusive Education Project.

The project aims to strengthen inclusive education for children with disabilities and children experiencing learning and developmental difficulties through collaboration with kindergartens, educators, families and community stakeholders.

The Special Educator will work extensively in the field, particularly in Saida, Tyre and Palestinian camps and gatherings in South Lebanon, supporting children, teachers, kindergartens and caregivers to ensure meaningful participation of children with disabilities in inclusive educational settings.

Main Responsibilities

The Special Educator will:

Conduct educational and developmental assessments of children with disabilities, developmental delays and learning difficulties.
Identify individual educational needs, strengths, barriers and required classroom accommodations.
Develop and regularly review Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) for children requiring additional educational support.
Provide individual and small-group educational support when required.
Observe children within kindergarten and classroom environments and provide practical recommendations to teachers.
Support teachers and kindergarten staff in adapting teaching methods, classroom activities and learning materials to the needs of children with different disabilities.
Coach and mentor teachers on inclusive classroom practices and child-centred teaching approaches.
Assist in adapting curricula and educational activities according to children's individual abilities and learning needs.
Work closely with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists, social workers and other professionals when multidisciplinary support is required.
Participate in multidisciplinary assessments, case discussions and referral processes.
Support the identification and referral of children requiring rehabilitation, psychosocial, protection or other specialised services.
Work directly with parents and caregivers to strengthen their understanding of their child's educational needs and development.
Provide guidance to families on activities that can support learning and development at home.
Facilitate or contribute to caregiver training, awareness and peer-support activities.
Support kindergarten staff in creating inclusive, accessible and supportive learning environments.
Conduct regular monitoring visits to participating kindergartens.
Document children's progress and update individual case records.
Maintain accurate attendance, assessment, follow-up and activity records.
Contribute to project monitoring, data collection, case documentation and narrative reporting.
Coordinate closely with the Project Officer, project team and MEAL staff.
Participate in project meetings, training, supervision and coordination activities.
Promote children's rights, disability inclusion and non-discrimination in all project activities.
Ensure full compliance with Mousawat Organization's safeguarding, child protection, PSEA, confidentiality and data-protection procedures.
Perform other relevant duties related to the inclusive education component of the project.
Mandatory Qualifications

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

Master's degree in Special Education, Special Needs Education, Inclusive Education, Educational Psychology, or another directly relevant field. A Master's degree is mandatory.

Relevant professional experience working with children with disabilities and/or children with developmental and learning difficulties.

Demonstrated experience in special education, inclusive education, developmental assessment or individual educational planning.

Knowledge of different disability types and their implications for learning and classroom participation.

Experience developing and implementing Individual Learning Plans (ILPs/IEPs).

Ability to guide and coach teachers in inclusive classroom practices.

Strong understanding of child development and inclusive early-childhood education.

Ability and willingness to conduct frequent field visits throughout South Lebanon, particularly Saida, Tyre and Palestinian camps and gatherings.

Must have a valid driving licence and own or have regular access to a car for fieldwork.

Good communication, documentation and reporting skills.

Fluency in Arabic.

Good working knowledge of English.

Good computer skills, including Microsoft Office and electronic documentation systems.

Preferred Experience

Preference will be given to candidates who have:

Previous experience working in Palestinian camps or vulnerable communities in Lebanon.

Experience working with NGOs or humanitarian/development organizations.

Experience working in kindergartens, schools or inclusive educational programmes.

Experience training or coaching teachers and caregivers.

Knowledge of disability rights and rights-based approaches to inclusion.

Familiarity with child safeguarding, protection and referral procedures.

Experience working within multidisciplinary teams.

Required Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

Strong commitment to the rights and inclusion of children with disabilities.

Ability to work respectfully with children, families, teachers and community partners.

Strong observation, assessment and analytical skills.

Ability to translate assessments into practical educational interventions.

Good interpersonal and coaching skills.

Ability to work independently in field locations while remaining closely coordinated with the project team.

Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Sensitivity to cultural, social and protection considerations within Palestinian camps and vulnerable communities.

Professionalism, confidentiality and respect for diversity.

Geographic Coverage

The position is field-intensive. The Special Educator will be expected to travel regularly between project locations, primarily:

Saida – Tyre – Palestinian camps and gatherings in South Lebanon, in addition to other project locations when required.

Having a car and valid driving licence is therefore an essential requirement for the position.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

Updated CV

Brief cover letter highlighting relevant experience

Copies/details of relevant academic qualifications

Please clearly indicate “Special Educator" in the application.

Only candidates meeting the mandatory Master's degree and mobility/car requirements and shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

Equal Opportunity

Mousawat Organization is committed to equal opportunity, disability inclusion, safeguarding and non-discrimination. Qualified persons with disabilities and candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.