Save the Children requires an experienced, dynamic, strategic thinker to serve as the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Senior Director. This Senior Director will provide the technical and managerial leadership to the ECCD team within the Education and Child Protection Department, part of International Programs. S/he will also provide direction to the international ECCD strategy, represent Save the Children US with the education global theme and other key actors in Save the Children Association, and ensure cutting-edge technical assistance is provided to our country offices. This position oversees our international ECCD work.
The ECCD Senior Director is a key member of a team of education and child protection Senior Management Team. S/he will lead with the ECCD team, and interface with larger department and organizational structure of the Save the Children movement to share best practices and provide strategic direction. The Senior Director 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. 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 programs and successfully pursue new business opportunities.
Technical Leadership and Quality Programming (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 ECD stakeholders in their use
- In collaboration with ECCD technical staff, ensure startup of new programs, effective work planning, and quality technical support through the life of the programs
- Lead the ECCD team to generate evidence of the impact of our programming and use the evidence to bolster our thought leadership.
- Oversee the production and produce strong written material including guides and manuals for ECCD work and work in 0-8 health and common approaches
Global Program Strategy (10%)
- Create an international ECCD strategy for the agency, including vision and goals
- Guide and support country offices in dialogue with Government and other key external stakeholders to advocate for children – ensure that the program design reflects the full theory of change in order to advocate for ECCD with governments and key counterpart
- Ensure that Save the Children increases it capacity to deliver on proven tools and strategies
- Lead the evidence creation and sharing of best practices from Save the Children’s work and research, including production of advocacy messages and utilization of social media to disseminate them.
Fundraising (35%)
In collaboration with other technical teams in DECP and with other departments, resource development, new business development, and country offices:
- Lead efforts including acting as the Proposal Director or lead technical writer and participate in capture trips to secure funding for ECCD programs from both public and private donors.
- Build a diversified portfolio of funding in development and emergency settings by ensuring and monitoring progress of current and potential institutional, individual, and corporate and foundation donors in support of ECCD activities.
- Set, monitor, and meet fundraising targets for the ECCD team
- Manage key relationships with strategic donors such as foundations that support ECCD.
Staff Development and Management (15%)
- Hire, develop and manages team members’ assignments and workload.
- Support and coach the development of ECCD team members to ensure a positive work place
- Implement HR management strategies including recruitment, retention, leadership development, and succession planning to support achievement of department and team goals.
Internal and External Representation (15%)
- Manage key relationships within and outside of Save the Children
- Participate in key external ECCD networks representing Save the Children
- Establish and maintain positive relationships with country office leadership and ECCD leadership throughout Save the Children
- Liaise with key partner agencies and donors to advocate for key ECCD outcomes and objectives
- You have a minimum 10-15 years' experience in area of expertise, with a minimum of 5 years in developing country context, living and working outside of the United States
- Proven ability to guide, coach and manage ECCD team, in collaboration with DECP Vice President, to set ECCD strategy and operational plans and support the team to deliver on them.
- Ability to work effectively with Senior Management at the highest levels in the Agency and key external stakeholders.
- 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.
- Ability to recruit, motivate, and manage a high performing team.
- Ability to think and lead strategically including leading complex cross-functional initiatives.
- Experience supporting developing 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.
- Experience in program design and proposal development for US government and private foundations.
- Experience in representation with international bodies, government and other donor organizations at a strategic level
- Relates well to all kinds of people and builds positive relationships.
- Commitment to Save the Children Core Values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity
- Willingness and ability to travel 30% of the time mostly internationally
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree in early childhood development or related area (education, psychology, international development, public policy, etc.).
- Second language proficiency - Spanish, French or Portuguese desirable
- 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