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Specialist, Early Childhood Development

This job is no longer available

Fairfield, CT, USA
Full-time

The Early Childhood Program Specialist is the on-the-ground Save the Children staff member who assists Save the Children and Read to Grow staff in implementing the Early Steps to School Success™ (Early Steps) Program. Early Steps is a prenatal to age 5 early childhood program that provides education and family support through home visits for families with infants and toddlers, group meetings, home/school connections, a book exchange, transition-to-school activities, community collaborations and intensive staff training and support. Under the supervision of the Senior Director, Early Childhood and in collaboration with Read to Grow, the Early Childhood Program Specialist provides field-based leadership and support for Early Steps staff connected to participating Read to Grow partner school sites, and oversees and supports Early Steps program implementation, monitoring, and evaluation at assigned partner sites. Specific duties and responsibilities are outlined below.

Areas of Responsibility: 
  • Coordinate with Save the Children’s Early Childhood team and Read to Grow staff to lead ongoing management of Early Steps programs connected to assigned school sites implementing this prenatal to kindergarten intergenerational model.
  • Coordinate with the Early Childhood team to ensure fidelity in the implementation of Early Steps, providing orientation, training, technical assistance and coaching consistent with the model.
  • Visit each participating sites on a regular basis (four to six hours per month), to support Early Childhood Coordinators as they implement Early Steps. This involves providing training, coaching, reflective supervision and technical assistance to the Early Childhood Coordinators on early development, supporting responsive parent-child relationships and parenting education. It also includes building a professional learning community among Early Childhood Coordinators.
  • Assist Early Childhood Coordinators to collect and report data required for progress monitoring and project evaluation, and oversee the quality of data collection.
  • In partnership with the Read to Grow Director, provide assistance with supervising Early Childhood Coordinators and day-to-day in-person and distance program management and oversight of ESSS implementation.
  • Assist the Early Childhood Management team in designing and delivering pertinent, timely professional development and support to ensure fidelity of program. Implementation; including timely, accurate data collection, responsive communication, and other needs that arise during Early Steps implementation.
  • Lead partner management activities related to Early Steps, including but not limited to annual stakeholder meeting, partnership performance management, and emergency/disaster communication and reporting.
  • Identify and consult with the Early Childhood team to resolve complex issues and problems.
  • Provide support to the Resource Development team in developing funding proposals related to early childhood.
  • Prepare fact sheets and high-level informational briefs to capture the interest of potential Early Steps funders. 
  • Support Senior Director of Early Childhood programs with VIP visits and other duties as assigned. 
  • Assist with VIP visits and other duties as assigned.
Educational Background: 
High School Diploma or equivalent required
Skills/Experience: 
  • Minimum 3-5 years relevant experience in the area of infant/toddler development.
  • Knowledge of infant/toddler development and early language and literacy.
  • Three to five years of home visiting experience with families with infants and toddlers. 
  • Experience working in communities with limited resources.
  • Professional level of specialized knowledge to manage complex tasks, programs or projects. 
  • Ability to use MS Word, Excel, PPT and on-line technologies proficiently.
  • Willingness and ability to travel up to 25%

Preferred Qualifications 

  • A Bachelor degree in a field related to early childhood development and education with an emphasis on infant/toddler development.
  • Home visiting experience with families with infants and toddlers.
  • Experience working in rural communities with limited resources and with families who are economically challenged.
  • Experience working with racially, culturally, or linguistically diverse children and families.
  • Experience in training, coaching, and mentoring. 
  • Experience developing and implementing training, including distance learning.
  • Bilingual in Spanish
Compensation/Benefits: 
  • Meaningful work, with a knowledge that you are changing the lives of children all around the world 
  • A family friendly work environment 
  • Highly collaborative and innovative teams 
  • Generous paid vacation days, holidays, family leave days, and sick time 
  • Healthcare plans including medical, dental, and life insurance 
  • Retirement savings account with matching company contributions 
  • Structured and formalized management development and coaching programs for mid- and senior- level managers 
  • Extensive e-learning opportunities on a variety of topics offered through our affiliation with several prestigious universities and with the American Management Association, as well as language learning opportunities 

Organization Info

Save the Children US

Overview
Headquarters: 
Fairfield, CT, United States
Annual Budget : 
More than $500M
Founded: 
1964
About Us
Mission: 

Save the Children is the world's leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in nearly 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to create immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. in times of acute crisis, we mobilize rapid assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters. Save the Children is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, a global network of 30 independent Save the Children organizations working to ensure the well-being and protection of children in more than 120 countries.

Listing Stats

Post Date: 
Aug 18 2019
Active Until: 
Sep 18 2019
Hiring Organization: 
Save the Children US
industry: 
Nonprofit