Associate Professor Inclusive & Special Needs Education Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development, Pakistan

Associate Professor, Inclusive & Special Needs Education, Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development, Pakistan

Entity: Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (IED)

Location: Karachi, Pakistan

Position Type: Full-time, Permanent Faculty

Introduction:

The Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (IED) invites applications for the position of Associate Professor in its newly established Inclusive & Special Needs Education Unit. As an inaugural faculty member, the successful candidate will lead the Unit's academic development, with a primary focus on the broad range of special needs of children/adolescents, including those considered neurodivergent in mainstream schools. This includes building and delivering graduate programmes, generating rigorous research on inclusive education in the Pakistani context, and engaging with schools, government bodies, and civil society to advance equitable educational outcomes. This is an opportunity for a committed scholar-practitioner to shape a new and consequential academic endeavour from the outset.

As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.

Position Details:

This is an inaugural faculty position. The successful candidate will be central to building the SEN Unit from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities:

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• Design and lead the teaching of a specialization in Inclusive & Special Needs Education in the BEd degree programme.
• Design and lead courses on inclusive education for graduate degree programmes, including the MPhil and PhD. and related graduate programmes, with a focus on the broad range of special needs of children/adolescents, including those considered neurodivergent in mainstream school settings.
• Develop and facilitate Continuing Professional Education courses, diplomas, and certification programmes for in-service school educators and allied professionals.
• Supervise undergraduate and graduate student research studies.
• Participate in admissions, student recruitment, curriculum review, academic planning, and relevant AKU-IED and University-wide committees
• Secure and lead independent and collaborative research, publish in reputable peer-reviewed journals, and present at national and international conferences.
• Mentor IE team members on inclusion and disability focused teaching, education development and research
• With the support of a team, organize seminars, workshops, and conferences related to special needs education.
• Engage with government bodies, education authorities, and public sector entities to support policy advocacy at provincial and national levels.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with schools, parents, NGOs, government agencies, and national and international organizations working in neurodiversity and inclusive education.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Candidates must have strong conviction about inclusive education, knowledge and experience to carry out the above responsibilities. We expect the candidate to have a PhD in Special Education, Educational Psychology, or a closely related field; significant relevant experience; a demonstrated track record of research, publication, and supervision; a commitment to the field with strong interpersonal and communication skills; and an affinity for work in policy and public engagement.

Interested candidates are requested to submit the following documents:

• A curriculum vitae
• Copies of the last three publications (or other relevant scholarly/professional work).
• A cover letter outlining your motivation for applying, your vision for the SEN Unit, and how your background prepares you for this inaugural role.
• Names and contact details (including email addresses) of at least three referees familiar with your recent academic and/or professional work.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. The first round of interviews will be conducted in November.