Save the Children requires a dynamic thought leader and international expert to serve as the Senior Director for Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD). The Senior Director will provide technical and managerial leadership to the International Programs ECCD team within the Education and Child Protection Department. The Sr. Director will be a thought leader in the early childhood sector, contributing to internal Save the Children and global early childhood development strategies. The ECCD Senior Director is a key member of the Senior Management Team of the Department of Education and Child Protection, and is a key player in the drive to reach our overall goal of helping children learn and develop to their full potential. With strong technical expertise and the ability to oversee a diverse team, the Senior Director will build a clear strategy for effective delivery and growth of the ECCD portfolio.
Global Program Strategy (10%)
- Oversee the development and execution of ECCD strategic planning and processes
- Participate in key external ECCD networks representing Save the Children
- Guide and support country offices to advocate for improved ECCD with Government and other key external stakeholders
- Liaise with key partner agencies and donors to advocate for key ECCD outcomes and objectives
Technical Excellence and Thought Leadership, (25%)
- Oversee the development and revision of technical tools and packages to support strategic areas of intervention in early childhood care and development and guide team members and other Save the Children ECCD stakeholders in their use
- Exercise independent judgment and discretion on significant matters
- Ensure that program and project design reflects Save the Children’s full theory of change
- Lead the creation of a research and evidence agenda in ECCD, including strategies for communication and advocacy based on findings
- With ECCD technical staff, ensure effective implementation of the program portfolio, from project start up through to management and close-out
Fundraising (30%)
In collaboration with other technical teams, public and private fundraising teams, and country offices
- Lead and secure funding for ECCD programs from both public and private donors, including managing the pipeline for new funding opportunities and actively participating in the development of new proposals
- Leverage technical expertise and professional networks to support the identification and cultivation new donors and manage the existing ECCD donor portfolio
- Set, monitor and meet fundraising targets for the ECCD team
- Support, as needed, proposal development efforts of other teams in the education and child protection department
Staff Management and Development (35%)
- Serve as an example of technical excellence and a positive work culture
- Lead the recruitment, support and professional development of a team of seven ECCD technical advisors and specialists
- Manage the budget and work plan of the ECCD team and its individual members
- Implement HR management strategies including recruitment, retention, leadership development, and succession planning to support achievement of department and team goals
- A minimum of 5 years supporting child-focused programming in international development contexts
- Proven ability to set strategy and operational plans, and to guide, coach and manage teams to deliver
- Excellent people skills; ability to recruit, motivate, and manage a high performing team
- Exercise independent judgment and discretion on significant matters
- Ability to work effectively with Senior Management at the highest levels in the Agency and key external stakeholders
- Experience providing technical advice, guidance and management related to various size programs, grants or projects
- Experience with international program design and proposal development for US government and private foundations
- Commitment and behaviors consistent with the Save the Children Core Values of Accountability, Commitment, Excellence, Innovation, and Teamwork
- Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 30% of the time
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree required in early childhood development or related area (education, psychology, international development, public policy, etc.).
- Second language proficiency - Spanish, French or Portuguese desirable
- Experience supporting countries and/or governments in strategic planning around early childhood development or education planning and policy
- Experience in representation with international bodies, government and other donor organizations at a strategic level
- Aetna Medical and Dental insurance with a concierge service
- Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
- Vision Insurance
- Life insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Commuter Benefit Program
- Vacation and Sick leave
- Paid holidays
What makes us special!
- Generous Retirement Savings with matching company contributions of up to 8%
- Family Leave – 10 additional days of paid time off for you to use to care for your family members
- Additional Maternity and Paternity Leave – 30 days where parents can take additional paid leave (beyond short-term disability and FMLA) at the birth or adoption of a child during that critical first year!
- Critical Child Illness Leave – We hope you never have to use it, but we will provide an additional 30 days of paid leave per year should your dependent child be faced with a critical illness.
- Pet Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Identity Protection, Home, Auto and additional Life insurances
- Summer Fun Fridays – During the summer months, early release at 1:30 pm every other Friday!
- Volunteer Day – One paid day a year to support the causes that matter to you!
- Ergonomic Options – Every employee at our HQ offices has the option of a sitting/standing desk
- Leadership and Employee Development Training, including:
- Our remarkable in-house CORE, Senior Management Development, and Leadership Development Programs
- Language learning opportunities
- Continuous Improvement skill development programs
- Brown Bag information sharing sessions
- Work hard/Play hard! We make sure there’s ample opportunity for fun, engagement, and celebration while you work, such as networking events, March Madness, World Cup, Dodgeball Tournaments, Take Your Child to Work Day, Founder’s Day, and our annual Day of Service