Senior Disability Officer - Department of Student Affairs at University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria

JOB PURPOSE:

Provide disability support services at the University of Pretoria. Process intervention requests of students with disabilities. Responsible for the planning, administration and Information Technology (IT)-related tasks. Oversee tests, examination and invigilation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful candidate’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Coordination of accessible formal assessments for students with disabilities:
• Coordinating the process of accessible formal assessments for students with disabilities, and liaising with faculties and Professional Services departments;
• Providing input to academic and professional services staff regarding the implementation of concessions approved for assessments for students with disabilities;
• Ensuring compliance with the UP-examination policy;
• Referring students with sensory and medical disabilities to the relevant medical professionals;
• Providing training in assistive technology;
• IT/Digital accessibility:
• Completing administration and maintenance of the Disability Unit’s specialized equipment;
• Overseeing usage of equipment by students in computer laboratories in order to prevent misuse;
• Assisting students to purchase electronic books or to communicate with publishers in order to obtain copyright and electronic books if they are readily available;
• Providing input and support to lecturers regarding the facilitation of academic information management for students with disabilities;
• Awareness and education:
• Conducting orientation with academics regarding students with disabilities;
• Updating the Disability Unit’s social media pages and webpage;
• Contributing and participating in students’ recruitment activities;
• Student support: Promotion of accessibility and inclusivity:
• Identifying barriers to success and creating a plan to support students with disabilities to succeed at UP;
• Rendering a service to support professional services departments and faculties in the implementation of preventative programmes and training of personnel;
• Administration and projects:
• Participating in promotional and preventative events;
• Planning and performing administration tasks for the division based on students, the Unit, DSA, and institutional requirements.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Grade 12; with
• A total of five years’ experience in:
• Working with people with disabilities;
• Administrative experience in working with confidential information i.e. medical reports and personal information;
• Working with assistive technology;

OR

• A relevant national three-year diploma; with
• A total of three years’ experience in:
• Working with people with disabilities;
• Administrative experience in working with confidential information i.e. medical reports and personal information;
• Working with assistive technology.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
Knowledge of:

• Concession assessments;
• Disability support services;
• Tertiary educational institutional systems;
• Inclusive education;
• Technical competencies:
• Administrative skills;
• Report writing;
• Record control;
• Computer literate;
• Research skills;