Special Education Needs Assistant at Mzuzu International Academy

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT – SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS ASSISTANT (SENA)

Mzuzu International Academy (MIA) is a co-educational day (Years 1-6) and boarding (Years 7-11) school located on the outskirts of Mzuzu City with an education system centred around the National Curriculum of England and the requirements of Cambridge IGCSE. To deliver its strategic objectives effectively
and efficiently, Mzuzu International Academy now invites applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the position of Special Education Needs Assistant (SENA).

JOB PURPOSE

The Special Education Assistant supports the Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCo) in ensuring that students with specific learning difficulties or global developmental challenges have appropriate access to the curriculum. This includes academic, social, and emotional support across the
school.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

o Assist the SENCo in providing access to the curriculum for all children with specific learning difficulties or global difficulties, including those with academic, social, and emotional needs.
o Conduct individual or small group interventions based on targets set in students’ Individual Educational Programmes (IEPs), under the guidance of the SENCo.
o Support the teaching of reading through a synthetic phonics-based approach, tailored to the specific needs of learners.
o Use initiative and creativity in teaching, employing a range of multisensory strategies to support learning in both language and mathematics interventions.
o Respond sensitively and appropriately to children’s social and emotional needs, maintaining regular monitoring and recording of the wellbeing of specific students as directed.
o Assist the SENCo in conducting individual assessments in phonics, reading, and spelling on a termly basis to evaluate progress and guide future support.
o Contribute to the preparation of end-of-term reports for students who have received interventions, providing accurate and insightful information on progress and areas for development.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The following qualifications, qualities, skills, and experience are considered necessary in this key post:

Qualifications and Experience:

o Experience working with children with special educational needs, preferably in a school setting
o A calm, patient, and empathetic approach to working with children
o Strong interpersonal and communication skills
o Ability to work collaboratively with the SENCo and other staff, as well as independently when required
o Organisational skills, with the ability to maintain clear records and documentation

Desirable:

o A degree in Special Needs Education, Psychology, Counselling, Education, or a related field
o Familiarity with synthetic phonics programmes (e.g. Jolly Phonics, Read Write Inc.)
o Experience with multi-sensory learning approaches
o Knowledge of writing and implementing IEPs
o Understanding of child development and inclusive education principles
o Must have a Licence issued by the Teachers Council of Malawi (TCM).

Method Of Application

Interested candidates should submit application letters, curriculum vitae with three (3) traceable referees, copies of educational and professional certificates to the address below not later than Friday, 27th June, 2025.

Applicants sending applications electronically should send attachments in PDF format to [email protected]

The Principal
Mzuzu International Academy
P.O. Box 20165
Luwinga, Mzuzu 2