Jai Vakeel Foundation and Research Centre
Website:
jaivakeel.org
Job details:
Summary:
The Head – Education will provide strategic and operational leadership to Jai Vakeel Foundation's flagship program - Education, ensuring high-quality learning outcomes for students with Intellectual disability (ID)across 4 schools. The role is responsible for strengthening educational practices, building institutional and staff capability, and driving continuous improvement in academic quality, student development, and organisational effectiveness.
This position requires a leader who can combine educational expertise, people leadership, program management, and systems thinking to create a best-in-class educational ecosystem that empowers every child with ID (CwID) to achieve their fullest potential - one that empowers every CwID to achieve their fullest potential through communication, participation, and transition outcomes, and that prepares every student for a well-supported transition from the school section into adulthood and Skill Development.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Educational Vision
- Establish clear, individualized goals for every child, defining the skills, competencies, and levels of independence they should achieve by the age of 18.
- Oversee a robust admissions process that identifies each child's strengths, needs, and support requirements to inform appropriate program placement.
- Ensure a fully integrated educational, therapeutic model where educators, therapists, and families work collaboratively to achieve individualized student outcomes, functional independence, and transition readiness.
Transition to Adulthood & Employment Readiness (18+ Program)
- Develop and oversee structured transition pathways for students moving into adulthood, vocational training, employment, and independent living.
- Ensure transition planning begins early, with clear readiness criteria and documented progression plans.
- Partner with the Skill Development team to ensure seamless transitions into post- school programs.
Excellence & Capacity Building
- Establish and oversee quality standards, systems, and processes to ensure consistency, accountability, and excellence across all 4 schools.
- Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of curriculum, pedagogy, assessment frameworks, and instructional practices through regular reviews, classroom observations, and quality audits to drive strong student outcomes.
- Collaborate with the MEL and Healthcare to use assessment data, MEL frameworks to and measure outcomes, monitor progress, evaluate impact, and drive continuous improvement in program quality and effectiveness
- Lead innovation, pilot initiatives, and adoption of best practices to enhance program effectiveness.
- Design and implement professional development, coaching, and succession- building strategies for school heads, teachers, managers, and support staff.
- Introduce best practices, emerging methodologies, and sector innovations to enhance teaching effectiveness.
Internal and External Stakeholder Management
- Support Fundraising and Donor Engagement teams with programmatic insights, impact data, and success stories that strengthen stakeholder confidence and long- term partnerships.
- Collaborate with Human Resources to attract, develop, engage, and retain high-
- performing talent, as well as a volunteer support system.
- Partner with Finance to develop, manage, and optimise departmental budgets and resource allocation.
- Collaborate with Communications to showcase educational impact, student achievements, and thought leadership in the disability sector.
- Build and strengthen relationships with government bodies, educational institutions, universities, sector networks, and allied organisations.
- Represent Jai Vakeel Foundation at forums, conferences, and stakeholder engagements to advance awareness and advocacy in the ID space.
- Develop partnerships that support internships, research collaborations, knowledge exchange, and institutional growth.
Required Experience, Skills and Qualification
- Master's degree in Special Education, Education, Psychology, Human Development or a related field.
- Additional qualifications in educational leadership, disability studies, or management will be advantageous.
- 14–16 years of progressive experience in education, special education, developmental disabilities, or related sectors.
- Demonstrated experience leading large educational programs, institutions, or multi- site operations.
- Strong understanding of curriculum development, learning assessment, educator development, and educational quality frameworks.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, including experience working with families, government agencies, regulatory bodies, academic institutions, and sector partners.
Competencies:
Must have:
- Strategic thinking: Ability to understand and align with the program's long-term goals and capable of formulating and communicating a strategic vision for the future.
- Decision making: Ability to demonstrate good judgment and the ability to make sound, timely decisions, particularly under pressure.
- Change Management: Demonstrate the ability to adapt to change, manage uncertainty, or shift course when needed.
- Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with various internal and external stakeholders, from team members to executives
- Resilience: Handling high-pressure situations, setbacks, and criticism. Staying calm and composed during crises
- Working Together: Ability to inspire, motivate, and work with other stakeholders. Look for emotional intelligence, empathy, and the ability to facilitate positive interactions with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Ownership: Ability and mindset of taking full responsibility and accountability of tasks, projects and outcomes.
- Financial Acumen: Basic understanding of budgeting and financial reporting to assist in organizational planning.
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