Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

I chose the United Nations children’s Fund (UNICEF), Save the children, and International Step by Step Association that appealed to me for developing my challenge of equity and high quality early childhood education.

The reason I chose the UNICEF is because of their interventions cut across the world. They believe in ensuring that children develop to their full potential. They do this by using interventions in childcare programs for child survival and development, education, health, social policies and partnerships (UNICEF, 2011). UNICEF can provide more information to the communities of practice, which will enlighten our knowledge of the world care for early childhood education.

The Save the Children organization provides early steps to school success for pregnant women and children birth to five years of age.  Their goal is to ensure children enter school with the skills necessary for success, give parents the knowledge and skills to support their child’s education, provide strong connections from home to school and school to home, and to increase the knowledge and skills in communities about early childhood education (Save the Children, 2011). Their goals are consistent with the goals of the community of practice for my challenge.

Then there is the International Step by Step Association (ISSA) the connects professional and organizations working in the field of early childhood development and education.  The ISSA promotes equal access to quality education and care for all children, especially in the early years (ISSA, 2011). This association is a association that I would like to be a member of to promote the challenge of equality for all childcare centers to have high quality care for early childhood education and care.

Job opportunities are open for the Save the Children Association for Coordinators in San Bernardino California area: Below are the goals, responsibilities, and requirements.

            The Early Steps Coordinator provides

• Social/emotional development, language development, and pre-literacy education activities for children and parents through regularly scheduled home visits.
• Parent/child support and education groups in schools and community settings
• Screening and referral for children at risk for developmental delay or health care issues.
• “Transition to school” activities that connect parents and children to the preschool or kindergarten they will attend.
• A book exchange literacy program for enrolled children and parents. Books are available for children from birth to five years of age.

Responsibilities

• Recruit pregnant families and children ages birth to five into the program
• Develop and schedule the program activities, including home visiting parent/child groups, toddler playgroups, transition to school activities and other programmatic activities
• Provide regular home visits to families using STC approved home visiting curriculum
• Organize and conduct parent/child groups in the elementary schools
• Conduct child screenings and make referrals to community providers
• Coordinate/Collaborate with program partners
• Participate in training and technical assistance activities
• Participate in the evolution of Early Steps, including data collection, interviewing and videotaping activities

Requirements

• AA degree in Early Childhood preferred or related field with 2-3 years related experience
• Experience and training working in a home visiting, infant/toddler early childhood/parenting education program
• Experience working with pregnant women, children ages birth to five, and families in rural areas
• Experience leading parent groups
• Experience with timely reporting and maintaining accurate records on program activities
• Experience in collaborating with early childhood programs in the community

Employee Type

Full Time

Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries, including the United States.  We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. In 2010, we improved the lives of over 64 million children in need in the United States and around the world.  Our goal is to reach more than 74 million children annually by the year 2012.  Join our dedicated and diverse staff committed to improving the well-being of children.

Save the Children provides an attractive benefits package including competitive salaries, a matching retirement plan, health and welfare benefits, life insurance, an employee assistance program, generous time off and much more.

We are an equal opportunity organization dedicated to our core values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity (Save the Children, 2011)

I wanted to apply for this position but I am not willing to relocate at this time.

Although, I found one I did apply for because it is essential in making a change in the quality of care for young children and give me the opportunity to have a voice in Washington.  A description of the job is below:

Research Intern, Global Education/EPDC
Location:	US, Washington, DC
Req ID:	2757
National Only:
Description
FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions.  Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology– creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges.  FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states, and all U.S. territories.  We seek qualified candidates for the position of Research Intern in Washington, DC. Position Description: The Research Intern will be working with the Global Education Center.  The tasks will be the following, but not limited to: Carry out extensive web-based data collection, providing up-to-date and valid data from a variety of international and national administrative sources, surveys, and student achievement studies to the current Education Policy and Data Center (EPDC) database; Upload data to the EPDC website; Assist in the management of EPDC.org content; Perform analyses of data to generate country and regional reports on key education developments; Contribute to EPDC working papers by assisting with statistical treatment of data, production of data reports, visuals, and writing; Identify issues requiring further research, to add to EPDC research agenda. Minimum Requirements: Bachelors required, Masters preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.  Some experience and facility with web-based databases, as well as familiarity with education data sources and indicators is desirable.  Excellent written communication skills are required. Interested candidates may register online through FHI 360's Career Center at www.fhi360.org/careercenter or through the Employment section at www.fhi360.org.  Please submit CV/resume and cover letter including salary requirements.  Please specify source in your application. AA/EOE/M/F/V/D

This position is a great opportunity to be a part of a research team.

Reference

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).  (n.d.).  Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.unicef.org/

Save the Children.  (2011). Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

International Step-By-Step Association.  (n.d.).  Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.issa.nl/index.html