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Carmen Tao

Non-profit organisation is looking for a teacher with special needs experience to run its school
A one-off role is available for a dedicated educator or therapist with special needs experience.
A non-profit organisation that envisions a society where every child receives a world-class education requires a director of services.
The Child Development Centre assists  ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, using the English language as the medium to deliver its services.
At the centre, a multidisciplinary team of 25 staff serves children with special needs from birth to six years old, through educational groups and individual therapies.
'We are looking for a teacher, educator or therapist with special needs experience to oversee the smooth running of the centre,' said Virginia Wilson,  the centre's executive director.
'At the centre, we work well as a team and have the children's best interests at heart.'
The new director of services will be in charge of three heads of department, two classroom teachers and various services for young people from five to 21 years of age, with various staff under them.
Little travel is required outside of Hong Kong, other than when the new recruit is required to undertake professional development courses in other countries.
'The challenge [of this role] is that we are always developing and improving our services to better serve the children and their families,' Ms Wilson said.
'This is not a job for someone who likes routine and consistency.
'The centre staff, board and management are always evolving and changing to improve and not lose sight of what is best for our children ... and this changes as demographics of children and diagnosis change.'
Applicants should have a good command of both written and spoken English, although written and spoken Cantonese is an advantage.
They are advised to have a relevant degree, extensive knowledge of special needs and sound experience of managing staff and resources.
'Like any good educator, administrators should not be relegated to desk duties, because teaching and learning is an important part of understanding what and who you are administering,' Ms Wilson said.
'This job encompasses a flexible teaching schedule and, depending on the demands of management and resources, 25 to 50 per cent of the time will still be spent in the classroom, either in direct interventions or mentoring staff.'
The ideal applicant should be open-minded, creative and flexible.
Whoever lands this role must be willing to develop and try new techniques, and use research-based interventions for children with special needs.
A sub-committee, including the executive director and two board members, will oversee the selection process.
'Input from the current director of services, who has been with us for 10 years, will also be involved,' Ms Wilson said.
The successful applicant will receive sound in-house and external training, and professional development as this is a cornerstone of the centre's operations.



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