Jobs/Roles in the Early Childhood International Communities

Save the Children

Save the children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with a staff of more than 14,000 people working 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 times of acute crisis, we mobilize rapid assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters.

Our U.S. based workforce of approximately 1000 people is split into three main areas:

1.  U.S. Headquarters Positions, 2.  U.S. Field-Based Positions, and  3.  International Field-Based Positions

http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6226565/k.BFEA/Working_at_Save_the_Children.htm

ISSA

The International Step by Step Association (ISSA) is a membership organization that connects professionals and organizations working in the field of early childhood development and education.  ISSA promotes equal access to quality education and care for all children, especially in the early years of their lives.  Established in the Netherlands in 1999, ISSA’s network today stretches across the globe from Central and Eastern Eurpoe to Central Asia, Asia, and the Americas.  While ISSA offers general membership and information-sharing to all interested individuals and organizations, ISSA’s core members are the 31 nongovernmental organizations, located primarily in Central/Eastern Europe and Central Asia, that implement the Step by Step Program initiated by the Open Society Institute (OSI) in 1994.  Within its network, ISSA supports a wide array of programs that collectively provide a comprehensive set of educational services and advocacy tools intended to influence policy reform for families and children, with a special focus on the years from birth through primary school.

http://www.issa.nl/index.html

UNICEF

For 60 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development.  The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries.  UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.  UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you.

http://www.unicef.org/about/emply/files/

The New and Emerging Talent Initiative (NETI) is an entry point for dynamic professional interested in an international career with UNICEF, NETI participants will work actively in a multicultural environment within the development and humanitarian arenas, while contributing to delivering results for children.

The following minimum requirements:

*Have completed an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) at the time of application.  Any number of years relevant professional experience is not substitute for the required educational qualifications. 

*Have proficiency in English and another official language in the United Nations i.e., Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish; knowledge of local languages can be an asset.

*Be ready to be assigned to any UNICEF office worldwide, including hardship duty stations.

*Have at least two years of relevant work experience for functions at the P-2 level, and at least five years relevant work experience for functions at the P-3 level.  Relevant experience should include work in developing countries and in multicultural environments.

Preference will be given to candidates under 35 years of age.

Programme structure

NETI participants are given an initial one year work appointment that begins with a one month induction at UNICEF New York Headquarters (NYHQ). During this one month period NETI participants familiarize themselves with UNICEF and get the chance to meet HQ colleagues from the functional areas in which they will work during their field assignment. Participants are then deployed globally to a field or headquarters duty station for the remaining 11-month period. During their assignments, the NETI participants receive dedicated support for their development at the induction at New York Headquarters and through the mentoring and external coaching components, which help develop their personal and professional skills and maximize their performance.

Since merit and performance are the key features of the NETI Programme, a rigorous and continued assessment process takes place throughout their assignments. At the end of the first year and based on a performance review, NETI participants’ appointments are extended for a second year in their specific duty station or, if necessary, separated from the NETI Programme. After about 18 months from the time of their initial appointment, a performance review panel is held. This final review includes a comprehensive evaluation where participants’ overall performance in the NETI Programme is reviewed, and their suitability to be included into Talent Groups and to be given priority consideration for vacant positions is also determined.

Interested candidates must share the United Nations values and ideals, and be able to listen to and understand the ideas and concerns of the people UNICEF serves. Similarly, interested candidates must be able to communicate, and work strategically and effectively with others to achieve results. Additionally, it is critical for candidates to be geographically mobile and willing to serve in emergency and hardship duty stations.

http://www.careersatunicef.org/what-is-neti/

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

The three organizations that I have chosen to explore are Head Start, NAEYC, and Zero to Three.  Each of these organizations are leaders in the field of early childhood and are making ongoing, sustained efforts towards the provision of  high-quality care environments and supports for children and families.

The three job opportunities that I have chosen to look into are:

Head Start Reviewer

This position requires extensive knowledge of Head Start Standards and monitoring protocol, high levels of ethics and professionalism, the ability to be flexible in work schedule, willingness to travel, and computer proficiency.

There will be training requirements specific to the position if education and experience requirements are met.

NAEYC Assessor

This position has a five step process which includes filling out the application, having a phone interview, passing a criminal background check, completing a contract for services with the NAEYC Academy, and successful completion of the Assessor tools which is to determine reliability.

Education requirements are a minimum of a bachelor’s degree that includes credit hours of specialized college-level work in child development and learning from ages birth through kindergarten levels.  Applicants must have relevant experience in early childhood settings related to ages birth through kindergarten, understanding of the NAEYC accreditation process, skill with completing observations and tools to complete them, interpersonal and communication skills, basic knowledge and skill using technology for data collection purposes, and basic administrative and professional communication skills when using technology.

Physical and travel requirements include being able to stand or sit at child level for one hour or more, ability to use stairs and walk distances up to half a mile, hold a valid driver’s license.  You must be able to make travel arrangements and accommodations for hotel.  Assessors are required to carry out about 30 assessment visits, complete trainings required for professional development, and pass evaluations.

Zero to Three Senior Writer/Training Specialist

This position requires a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood or a related field.  One must possess a strong knowledge base of Early Head Start program development, performance standards, and the EARLY Head Start Migrant and Seasonal Head Start technical assistance resources.  There is an emphasis on infant and toddler knowledge, cultural context knowledge, and adult learning.  This person must be flexible, self-motivated, able to multi-task and willing to travel. 

Duties and responsibilities include leading teams in the development of webcasts, podcasts, webinars, written products related to deepening understanding of and development of innovative approaches to the needs of the Early Head Start community.  Able to provide training for federal staff, liaison between programs, and other duties as needed.

Each of these positions would enable a professional in the field to have a substantial impact upon making positive growth and change that will benefit children, families, and the field of early childhood.  The potential for growth and professional development are limited only by oneself.