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. Early Childhood Program Specialists focus on prenatal through age five programming. Under the supervision of the State 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.
Areas of Responsibility:
Program Implementation 55%:
- Guide and support program staff to ensure quality implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Save the Children’s program models according to established standards.
- Provide in-person and remote training and technical assistance for program staff; maximize the use of technology to do so.
- Visit each assigned site in compliance with the program model to conduct observation, coaching, and mentoring. Complete site visit reports. In state travel will be required for each of the site visits.
- Ensure accurate and up-to-date data collection and reporting for each assigned site.
- Consult with the Senior Specialist about program questions and needs.
- Regularly communicate with the State Director and Senior Specialist about program implementation challenges and successes and how to resolve complex issues.
Partner Operations and Management: 20%
- Support the State Director with partner management including but not limited to annual partner planning, subaward budget and spending, grant budgets and reports, annual district/site stakeholder meetings, partnership performance management, sponsorship, and emergency/disaster communication and reporting.
- Meet regularly with each site supervisor.
- Ensure timely and accurate incident reporting and necessary follow-up.
- Provide new sites with start-up support including but not limited to hiring and training program staff, technology and program materials, and Partner Portal usage.
Local and State Relationships/Advocacy: 10%
- Support the State Director and program partners as appropriate, with local, regional, and state community engagement activities, community partnerships/coalitions, and state level relationships.
- Support the program team with local, regional, and state program presentations.
- Support program partners with media opportunities to highlight Save the Children programs.
Professional Development: 10%
- Participate in Save the Children Program Specialist calls, meetings, and trainings.
- Stay current on relevant national standards and best practices
- Share knowledge and experience with the national program team and program specialist colleagues.
- Participate in national program team projects and USPA work groups.
Other: 5%
- Work in collaboration with USPA teams (e.g., Early Childhood; National Directorate; Technology, Monitoring and Evaluation; Sponsorship; Policy and Advocacy; Resource Development; Marketing, Communications, and Media).
- Provide stories from the field to national staff.
- Support, and contribute as appropriate and requested, to Save the Children priorities and initiatives.
- Support State Director with VIP visits and other duties as assigned.
Educational Background:
Minimum of a High School diploma
Skills/Experience:
- Minimum 3-5 years' experience required working with infant/toddler development.
- Willingness to travel 40% of time to in state sites between Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in child development, education, or related field.
- Knowledge of and experience with home visiting programs.
- 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.
- Working knowledge of financial and subgrant management.
- Ability to be flexible and adaptable to dynamic changes in the work environment.
- Speaks Spanish fluently
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 as well as language learning opportunities
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Jul 20 2018
Active Until:
Aug 20 2018
Hiring Organization:
Save the Children US
industry:
Nonprofit