Education At It's Best: Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

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.

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
Location:	US - NE - Omaha
Division.:	Finance

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.

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

Senior Specialist, Early Childhood Development
Location:	US - DC - DC Home Office
Division.:	International Programs

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.

Vice President for US Programs
Location:	US - DC - DC Home Office
Division.:	U.S. Programs
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