Throughout this course I have had the opportunity to
explore many early childhood organizations on the local, state, and national
level. This has helped me understand and realize there are many possibilities
and opportunities available to me in the early childhood field. This week I
have explored organizations on the international level which expands my
options.
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Save the children was one of the first organizations
that captured my attention. So many young children for many different reasons
lack the necessary means to grow, develop and have a fair chance at a successful
future. We often take things for granted or may not think how important they
are until we don’t have them. Imagining what a child’s life would be like
without the basic necessities is very disturbing. Save the children is an organization
that invest in the lives of young children. They believe in transforming
children’s lives at a young age to change the course of their future. Every
Child has the right to grow up happy and healthy (Save the Children, 2011).
Save the Children invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and
for our future (Save the
Children, 2011). In
the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start, the
opportunity to learn and protection from harm. By transforming children's
lives now, we change the course of their future and ours (Save the Children, 2011).
UNICEF is another organization that invest in the well-being of all children.
They work around the world for the rights of young children and has done so
for over 70 years. Child rights begin with safe shelter, nutrition,
protection from disaster and conflict and traverse the life cycle: pre-natal
care for healthy births, clean water and sanitation, health care and
education (UNICEF,
2011). UNICEF believes, all children have a right to survive,
thrive and fulfill their potential - to the benefit of a better world (UNICEF, 2011). ISSA is the third organization
that caught my attention. They connect non-profit organizations and professionals
who are working in the early childhood development field. Connecting
professionals and organizations is very important. Together they are able to
collaborate and provide families with valuable information that is critical
to their child’s development. ISSA
aims to ensure equal access to quality care and education for all young children
from birth to 10 years old (ISSA, 2011).
There are so many
opportunities available in the early childhood field that will allow me to be
beneficial in the lives of young children. Because of my unawareness of these
opportunities I had limited my thinking on my career choice. Now that I know
and understand the options available to me I can explore the career choice
that I am passionate about and still serve the needs of young children.
Specialist, Program, Early Childhood
Development
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Location:
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US - NE - Omaha
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Division.:
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Finance
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The Program Specialist is the on-the-ground Save the
Children staff member providing training, technical assistance, and management
support to program partners to ensure quality program implementation and
results for children. Save the Children programming is focused on
children and families for the prenatal through age ten (P-10) continuum of
child development and education. Early Childhood Program Specialists
focus on prenatal through age five and school-age Program Specialists focus on
elementary school-age children. Under the supervision of the Deputy
Program Director and working as a member of the state team and in collaboration
with the national program team, the Program Specialist oversees and supports
program implementation, monitoring, and evaluation at assigned partner
sites. Specific duties and responsibilities are outlined below.
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Required Background and Experience
- Bachelor’s
degree in early childhood education, child development or related field.
Master's degree highly preferred
- Minimum
of three years relevant experience in the area of infant/toddler
development.
- Experience
as a trainer/mentor/coach.
- Experience
with home visiting programming, working in rural communities with
limited resources, and working with families who are economically
challenged is preferred.
- Experience
in working with or supporting professional/paraprofessional home
visitors.
- A
strong foundation in relationship-based work and supervision.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Other
Competencies
- Knowledge
of early development with emphasis on infant/toddler development and
early language and literacy
- Knowledge
and experience using reflective practice.
- Strong
interpersonal skills with demonstrated capacity as a team player and
relationship builder
- Demonstrated
organizational and management skills related to program implementation
- Experience
developing and delivering training and technical assistance in-person
and remotely
- Proven
experience working effectively with limited-resource communities
- Strong
written and oral communication skills including through the use of
technology
- Effective
time management and program accountability
- Working
knowledge of financial and sub-grant management
- Ability
to be flexible and adaptable to dynamic changes in the work environment
- Willingness
and ability to travel extensively within the state, regionally and
nationally as needed
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Senior Specialist, Early Childhood
Development
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Location:
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US - DC - DC Home Office
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Division.:
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International Programs
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Save the Children requires an experienced, dynamic
Senior ECCD Specialist to provide cutting-edge technical assistant to our
country offices to promote high-quality, evidence-based early childhood care
and development programs. The Senior ECCD Specialist is an integral member of a
team of education and child development experts based both in the region and in
our US Headquarters and a key player to reach our overall goal of helping
children learn and develop to their full potential.
- Skills
& Experience:
- 5-9
years of experience managing and providing technical advice to early
childhood development and education programs in developing countries.
- Solid
strategic knowledge of early childhood care and development programs.
- Experience
advising countries and partners to develop ECCD strategies and programs
- Experience
delivering ECCD programs through Education and other sectors, such as
HIV/AIDS, health, livelihoods and children protection, and facilitating
cross-sectoral collaboration.
- Commitment
to Save the Children’s values and understanding of the organization’s
strategies and programs.
- Strong
program design, monitoring and evaluation skills.
- Strong
interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to provide
technical assistance and conduct dynamic training and facilitation.
- Ability
to represent Save the Children effectively with governments, donors,
implementing partners and school/communities.
- Self-motivation
and the ability to handle multiple deadlines and activities with minimal
supervision.
- Excellent
writing and documentation skills.
- Fluency
in spoken and written English. Proficiency in Spanish desired.
- Master’s
degree in education, child development, international development,
social work or other related degree desired.
- Willingness
and ability to travel between 30-50% of the time.
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Vice President for US Programs
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Location:
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US - DC - DC Home Office
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Division.:
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U.S. Programs
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The Vice President for USP must have the following
attributes, experience and education:
- A
seasoned manager with the proven ability to manage and grow large and
complex organizations with multiple stakeholders
- Master's
Degree related to Management, Public Policy or related field
- Minimum
of 15 years in senior leadership with nonprofit organization, preferably
focused on children in need
- Extensive
experience managing and directing field operations as well as monitoring
programs.
- Extensive
experience developing and implementing advocacy and public policy
programs
- Knowledge
of domestic funding sources and demonstrated skill in raising money
and generating funds to support US programs / product development
efforts on a large scale.
- Ability
to convey Save the Children’s vision and generate commitment to Save the
Children ideals and programs from a wide variety of external
donors, as well as internal staff
- Proven
ability to work collaboratively and closely with Senior Management
colleagues as well as a Boards of Trustees.
- Demonstrated
ability to effectively lead and collaborate with an integrated, interdisciplinary
team of professionals in a goal-oriented environment.
- Entrepreneurial,
high-energy, yet pragmatic leadership style to excite and motivate a
team
- Ability
to hire, train, motivate and retain a strong management staff to help
him/her build a fundraising organization
- Well-honed
strategic thinking skills and the ability to be flexible and adaptable
in order to revise strategies as necessary
- Must
possess highest integrity, sound judgment, and a demonstrated respect
for diversity in all forms. S/he will model a balance of self-confidence
and humility; will argue persuasively for his/her view but in the face
of new information, business realities, and compelling logic will be
open to modification and compromise.
- Willingness
and ability to travel extensively in the US as well as internationally
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References:
