Special Education Trainer

Background Concern Worldwide is a non-governmental, international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries. We work in partnership with the very poorest people in these countries, directly enabling them to improve their lives, as well as using our knowledge and experience to influence decisions made at a local, national and international level that can significantly reduce extreme poverty. Our work focuses on education, emergencies and health, livelihoods, HIV and AIDS. Our mission is to help people living in extreme poverty achieve major improvements in their lives which last and spread without ongoing support from Concern. To achieve this mission, we engage in long term development work, build resilience, respond to emergency situations, and seek to address the root causes of poverty through our development, education and advocacy work. Concern ECHO Programme Concern Worldwide is implementing an integrated programme with a specific objective of improving access to learning opportunities for vulnerable children impacted by the Syrian crisis, living in Akkar and Tripoli/T5, North Lebanon. This will be achieved through an integrated assistance programme which supports the learning needs of vulnerable children in a protective environment by establishing learning support centres; ensuring case management of protection issues and appropriate referral pathways for protection cases detected during the project cycle; as well as the rehabilitation of shelters and interventions to support security of tenure. Learning support centres are inclusive centres reaching the most at-risk children and supporting their cognitive and social-emotional wellbeing in order to integrate and retain them in the Lebanese formal system while building the teachers' capacities and empowering the parents through home learning techniques. Academic and psychosocial resilience are supported through early childhood education, life skills learning, jump start, homework support and language support classes for school retention.   Main objective of the training To build and strengthen core capacities of Concern’s staff and facilitators on the basic aspects of special education including strategies to support the cognitive and emotional development of children with learning difficulties aged 3-12 years. This way we want to create an environment in which the children can succeed, get excited about the learning process and successfully carry out their learning activities. Specific objectives of the training for education officers and facilitators To build the understanding of the special education and the importance of the inclusion of students with special needs in the formal and non- formal education system. To build the capacity to recognize/ identify common characteristics of specific learning difficulties. To train identified staff members on how to cater for and support children with specific learning difficulties. To build the capacity in adapting the curriculum in order to fit the needs of a child with learning difficulties. To train the education officers on how to support the facilitators and monitor their work plans. To provide the education officers and facilitators with the specific tools and materials that can be used to identify, assess, support and monitor different cases. To participate in coaching the field officers while monitoring the facilitators’ work at the field level after the delivery of the main training. Desired Results Participants will understand the need and the right of children with learning difficulties  to receive education in the formal education system; Participants will know and acquire the techniques and the key methods in supporting students with learning difficulties ; Participants will learn the strategy of preparing an IEP (Individual educational plan) for each child; Participants will learn how to stimulate and enrich their learning environment; Concern’s staff will learn how to support the facilitators after monitoring and coaching while running special classes; Provision of a practical manual outlining steps in identification of common learning difficulties, addressing of those and monitoring the implementation of the facilitators; Provision of materials presented and used during the workshop. Training report providing recommendations and guidance on how to proceed with the project’s/programme’s implementation. Methodology Concern’s education learning centres will be inclusive to engage students with learning difficulties. This training will cover 3 main topics: Identifying students with difficulties; supporting students with learning disabilities; Monitoring the facilitators.          6 Education staff, 3 Protection staff and 8 Facilitators will be attending this training for 6 days in workshop followed by 3 days of coaching sessions in the field to supervise the inclusive classes. A hands-on participatory approach will be used in the training. This approach will link concepts and theories to specific practical situations and will encourage analytical and critical thinking in addition to cooperative learning through group work. Training methods will include: brainstorming, role plays, simulation exercises and discussions. The trainer will ensure that all methods are comprehensible, accessible and contribute to a pleasant working environment The language that shall be used during the workshop is Arabic, but in case of using other languages, translation is required. However, technical terminology will also be provided in English or French as deemed necessary. Essential and Desirable Experience/Qualifications  Minimum Master’s Degree in an Special Education-related field from a reputable university; Ongoing professional development as evidenced by increased work-related responsibility, continuing education, and/or participation in professional organizations; Minimum 10 years working experience in Special education, specifically within early grades. Minimum 5 Years’ as Special education trainer-  experience of training teachers/ Special educators  in early grade literacy and numeracy; Experience with non-formal education framework and INEE minimum education standards Demonstrated and practical experience working with student with learning difficulties. Strong understanding of the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education curriculum; Strong understanding of the education sector within Lebanon, including within the Syrian humanitarian context; Self-motivated in order to keep track of tasks in a time sensitive manner; Fluent in English and Arabic, French is a plus; Commitment to Concern equal opportunity and gender practices, Concern’s Programme Participant Protection Policy and Concern’s accountability commitments;