Temporary Role (6 to 12 months). Save the Children requires an experienced, dynamic, strategic thinker to serve as a temporary Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Advisor. This Advisor will support the technical direction of the global ECCD strategy and provide cutting-edge technical assistance to our country offices to promote high quality, evidence-based early childhood care and development programs. The ECCD Advisor is a key member of a team of education and child protection experts based both in the field and in our US Headquarters. S/he will engage with the ECD team, larger department and organizational structure of the Save the Children movement to share best practices and provide strategic direction. The Advisor will also engage with external actors to represent Save the Children’s work in Early Childhood Care and Development and advocate for change for young children; s/he is a key player to reach our overall goal of helping children learn and develop to their full potential.
Ensure ECD team, in collaboration with DECP senior management, continues to implement activities according to the ECCD strategic and operational plans for their functional area. Accountable for achieving results during the short-term period in strategic and operational plan with management support. Responsible for ensuring clear objectives and measures are set for self. Exercise independent judgment and discretion on significant matters. After approval by their senior management, objectives are implemented independently, with management support, to determine accomplishment, key milestones and overall success. Functional based policy and practices exist. Incumbent is provided with the "why" and often determines the "what", but must always determine the "how". May interact directly with Senior Management at the highest levels in the Agency. May serve as an Advisor to Senior Management in specific area of expertise. However, most frequently provides information (either up, sideways, or down). Relates well to all kinds of people and builds relationships.
- Guide country offices in dialogue with Government and other key external stakeholders to advocate for children, build technical capacity on proven tools and strategies, and share evidence and best practices from Save the Children’s work and research (25%)
- Lead 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 ECD stakeholders in their use (25%)
- Lead and support the development of proposals and partnerships to increase resources to support early childhood development programming and thought leadership and serve as a liaison with other Save the Children members and offices engaged in Asia (20%)
- Collaborate with other ECD advisors and the DECP Vice President to produce strong written material including guides and manuals for ECD work and work in 0-8 health. Manage key relationships within and outside of Save the Children and assist the Vice President in managing team members’ assignments and workload. (30%)
- You have a minimum 7-10 years' experience in area of expertise, with a minimum of 5 years in developing country context.
- Strong Level of Technical and/ or Managerial knowledge, skills, and experience to provide technical advice, guidance and management related to various size programs, grants or projects.
- Experience supporting countries and/or governments in strategic planning around early childhood development or education planning and policy.
- Proven ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion on significant matters.
- After approval by their senior management, objectives are implemented independently, with management support, to determine accomplishment, key milestones and overall success.
- Functional based policy and practices exist. Incumbent is provided with the "why" and often determines the "what", but must always determine the "how". May interact directly with Senior Management at the highest levels in the Agency.
- Relates well to all kinds of people and builds relationships.
- Requires a professional level of specialized knowledge, technical/functional skills and attention to detail to manage complex tasks, programs or projects and solid training and communication skills.
- Proven experience in developing technical packages and tools.
- Willingness and ability to travel between 30% of the time for the period of the temporary assignment of 6 to 12 months
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree required in early childhood development or related area (education, psychology, international development, public policy, etc.).
- 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