Inclusion Officer - Education Program

Background

The Dirasa project supports out-of-school children in Lebanon who face severe barriers to accessing quality education due to economic hardship, displacement, and prolonged learning interruptions. Targeting 2,625 children aged 8–14, the project provides structured, level-appropriate learning opportunities in Arabic, Mathematics, and Sciences, embedded within 15 semi-private and private-free schools that have limited external support. Dirasa integrates psychosocial support (PSS), social-emotional learning (SEL), individualized learning plans, and regular follow-up to help children close academic gaps, rebuild confidence, and stay engaged in education. By strengthening schools, caregivers, teachers, and support staff, the project enhances community-based education systems and contributes to safer, more inclusive learning environments for more than 12,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries across Lebanon.

Purpose of the Position

The Inclusion Officer will be responsible for the overall implementation of the inclusion component for the Dirasa Project in partnership with UNICEF in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. This includes directly supervising the schools' Inclusion Focal Points to ensure children with disabilities are identified, assessed, provided with necessary services and devices, and properly followed up, including the development of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for each child in coordination with educators, school staff, and caregivers.

Key Responsibilities:

Responsibility #1: Program Implementation, Capacity Building & Support

• Participate in Out-of-School mapping activities to identify Children with Disabilities (CwD) in coordination with the social worker and the schools' Inclusion Focal Points.
• Supervise and support schools' Inclusion Focal Points in the identification, assessment, and service provision for CwD.
• Provide training, mentoring, and methodological support to teachers and focal points on inclusive education strategies, identifying special education needs, and teaching techniques.
• Conduct frequent field visits to Dirasa schools to assess needs, monitor inclusion activities, and provide on-the-ground support.
• Assess schools' accessibility needs and support the planning for minor rehabilitation (e.g., ramps, toilets).
• Conduct and facilitate parental engagement and awareness sessions for caregivers of children with disabilities.
• In coordination with the field coordinator, monitor attendance and drop-out rates for CwD, conducting follow-up via awareness sessions, home visits, and phone calls to ensure retention.

Responsibility #2: Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• In coordination with the M&E team, contribute to baseline and endline surveys.
• Monitor the progress of learners with special education needs, maintaining records and discussing development with teachers and parents.
• Conduct assessments to determine special education needs and refer children for formal assessment when necessary.
• Collect data for monthly and quarterly reports using dedicated monitoring tools (e.g., Focus Group Discussions, Satisfaction Surveys).
• Ensure accurate reporting on disabilities through various tools and platforms, recording identifications and referrals.
• Be responsible for regular reporting on the inclusion component to the Project Coordinator.

Responsibility #3: Coordination & Referrals

• Actively participate in and cascade relevant trainings from UNICEF and sector meetings (e.g., child protection, education).
• Liaise with case workers to identify children in need of non-formal education and refer them to the appropriate pathway (formal or non-formal).
• Coordinate with the education program team to integrate UNICEF's parental inclusion sessions into regular engagement plans.
• Support schools to establish and maintain clear internal referral pathways to address the needs of all children.
• Oversee the organization and timely distribution of inclusion materials in coordination with the project coordinator and schools' focal points.
• Participate in mandatory RIMS trainings and manage the initiation, registration, and tracking of referrals through the RIMS system.
• The Inclusion Officer may be required to support additional tasks and carry other responsibilities not mentioned above, depending on the evolving needs of the Dirasa project.

Qualifications, Skills and Requirements: 

• Master degree in special education, or educational and clinical psychologist.
• Three to five years of professional experience in special education or inclusive education and in curriculum adaptation.
• The candidate must be licensed.
• Strong familiarity with the concept of inclusive education is an asset.
• Experience in teacher training is an asset.
• Strong training, facilitation, and coordination skills.
• Proficiency in Arabic and English.

Working Conditions:

• The Inclusion Officer will work full-time, based at the HQ with ongoing travel to various project locations.