Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

At least three international organizations or communities of practice that appealed to me and why I chose them:

The first international organization that appealed to me was the International Step by Step Association.  I selected this organization because of its promotion and advocacy efforts regarding access to quality education and early care for everyone.  The second international organization that appealed to me was the Save the Children International.  I selected this organization mainly due to their actions.  Save the Children play an ongoing and active role in saving children lives, fighting for children rights and ensuring all children reach their fullest potential.  The third international organization that appealed to me was the Academy of Educational Development.  I selected this organization because of its vision.  The vision of the Academy of Educational Development includes envisioning communities having the capacity to reach their fullest potential. 

Job opportunities (currently available or not) that interest me:

International Step by Step Association:

Although, no positions were posted for this organization, I have contacted them requesting information about available career openings within their Civic Participation in Education program services division.  This would entail working in their national and internationally advocacy initiatives on behalf of early childhood development programs, equal access to early education, parent involvement in schools, curriculum reform and teacher support.

Save the Children International:

Position: Regional Advocacy Manager – Syria

The Regional Advocacy Manager will be part of the SCI Regional Response Team and will manage global advocacy initiatives and liaise with Country Offices and the Regional Response Team, in close cooperation with the Regional Office. The function will lead international humanitarian advocacy and have linkages with SC members while ensuring a balance at regional level, and supporting country offices in the region, in developing humanitarian advocacy and ensuring coordinated, joined up advocacy approaches between countries in the region. The position will lead on keeping the regional advocacy strategy up to date and drafting advocacy products for use by Save the Children. The Advocacy Manager will also play a representational role and should expect to represent Save the Children in external meetings with the UN, donors, INGOs and other stakeholders, as well as the media as appropriate (and in coordination with the media / communications leads).

Academy of Education Development:
Position:  Nutrition and Non-communicable Diseases (NCD) Specialist (Technical Advisor I), FANTA III – Washington, DC

The Nutrition and Non-communicable Disease Specialist will take the lead in developing FANTA’s strategy on nutrition and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and other NCDs; and in managing the incorporation of this strategy in FANTA-supported Nutrition Assessment, Counseling and Support (NACS) activities.  They will provide assistance to USAID, PVOs, host governments and other cooperating agencies and donors in improving their nutrition policies and strategies in NCDs. They will participate in the review of USAID policy and strategy documents to ensure effective integration of nutrition elements into Agency and Mission strategic plans and results frameworks for activities related to NCDs.  They will prepare guidance for nutritional care in NCDs; the organization of training of trainers (TOT) sessions on nutrition counseling; and the development of food security assessment tools for the HIV and NCD context, to be used in the context of NACS services. 

The Nutrition and Non-communicable Disease Specialist will supervise the contracting of consultants and partner organizations for the implementation of activities, preparation of written products, and reporting of results in NCD and Nutrition.  They will take the lead in providing technical assistance to at least one country to strengthen the integration of nutrition into HIV and NCD services.   They will coordinate efforts to develop, revise and support strategies and tools for the quality assurance and quality improvement (QA/QI) of NACS in relation to NCDs.  Such efforts may include: review of approaches for QA/QI of NACS by PEPFAR implementing partners; identification of promising practices for NACS of PLHIV and NCD; and the development of an evidence-based model approach to NACS guided by theories of behavior change and communication.

The Nutrition and Non-communicable Disease Specialist will also perform the following:  

·         Act as a technical resource to USAID and respond to requests for technical information and assistance on topics related to NCDs and nutrition, including the use of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) and other specialized food products in the context of NCDs.

·         Represent FANTA at meetings with stakeholders related to NCDs and nutrition.

·         Prepare and present technical materials on nutrition and NCD topics at scientific forums.

·         Work with FANTA project management and communications staff in providing input to work plans, and on quarterly and annual reporting.

·         Review, revise and adapt technical guides and reports, presentations and responses to requests for information from USAID prepared by FANTA regional and field staff, consultants, and partners. 

What skills and experience I would need to competently fulfill each of these roles:

·         Advanced/Graduate degree in public health, human services or related field

·         Significant prior experience working in advocacy on humanitarian issues, child rights, human rights, or development issues;

·         Experience of influencing and advocacy work including lobbying, policy development and information provision in humanitarian issues;

·         Excellent skills in advocating towards government officials in developing countries

·         Analytical and strategic thinking skills

·         Cultural awareness and ability to build relationships quickly with a wide variety of people

·         Excellent planning, management and coordination skills

·         Strong communication (written and spoken), and interpersonal skills, with experience in managing multicultural teams