Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

 Childhood Education International

Childhood Education International has been committed to one primary objective: ensuring children’s access to quality education worldwide since 1892. They create programs and projects that support pre-primary to primary school-age children so they can learn, grow, and develop optimally. They also collaborate with teachers, education leaders, families, community leaders, health professionals, government agencies, the private sector, and civil society organizations. Together they provide innovative solutions that enhance learning and development for all children (Childhood Education International, n.d.)

Its mission is to develop and amplify innovative solutions to education challenges that affirm children’s learning and development as the pathway to sustainable futures for all.

Their vision is to elevate education and learning as the foundation of all aspects of human development and world progress.

Childhood Education International is currently seeking specialists in Education, Child Rights and Protection, and Policy Development. They are looking for consultants and experts in a range of topics which possess:

• Graduate level educational background in education, international development, health, or a related field.

• 5 or more years of professional experience in their area of expertise.

• A commitment to children’s rights to education and learning, child safety and protection, and innovative practices.

There is more info about required expertise, knowledge, and skills on their website https://ceinternational1892.org/opportunities/. This is the only job opportunity they have available, and I am not interested in applying for this position. 

 

 

International Step by Step Association (ISSA)

As a membership association, ISSA is an international learning community powered by the leading early childhood experts in Europe and Central Asia. They unite and support professionals and partners to equitably deliver high-quality early years services. They challenge existing knowledge and practice and co-construct new approaches and models. They advocate for and support competent Early Childhood Systems for all children, especially the most vulnerable through their work. They strive to increase awareness of the importance of Early Childhood Development and a qualified workforce. As a leading early childhood network and learning community, they promote quality, equitable and integrated services for children, families, and practitioners. Their vision is a society where families, communities, and professionals work together to empower each child to reach their unique potential and embrace values of social justice and equity (ISSA, n.d.). ISSA’s offices are located in the Netherlands.

I couldn’t find any job/career opportunities currently available on their website. There is only an option to become a member of their organization.

Save the Children

Save the Children is a global membership organization made up of Save the Children International and 30 national members (Save the Children, n.d.). In the United States and around the world, Save the Children work daily to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm. When crisis strikes and children are most vulnerable, they are among the first to respond and the last to leave. They do whatever it takes for children, every day and in times of crisis, transforming their lives and the future (Save the Children, n.d.).

Their ambition for 2030 is to create a world in which all children:

Survive: No child dies from preventable causes before their fifth birthday

Learn: All children learn from a quality basic education

Are Protected: Violence against children is no longer tolerated.

Their career opportunities available right now are vast. They currently have many job options in many countries around the world. When looking at opportunities in the United States, I found some interesting positions. For example, Early Childhood and Administrator Program Operations and Lead Associate.

Save the Children is seeking an Administrator, Program Operations to support the delivery of Education, Hunger, and Resilience programs in Kentucky. The candidate will provide professional administrative support to ensure the state team operates efficiently and effectively in this role. This includes procuring goods and services, managing property and fleet assets, coordinating events, receiving and distributing gifts-in-kind, and serving as the executive assistant to the State Director. The role requires a high level of discretion, attention to detail, organization, flexibility, and accountability.

Required qualifications for this position include:

·       Minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent, plus at least 1 year of relevant experience or education.

·       Professional proficiency in MS Office suite.

·       Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.

·       Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals and teams at all levels, both internally and externally.

·       Demonstrated commitment to fostering and maintaining an environment of diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

 

Save the Children is also seeking a Lead Associate, Early Childhood. In this role, the person will be responsible for ensuring programs are implemented effectively and achieve results for the youngest children we work with, prenatal to age five. Working on-site and remotely, the person will provide training, technical assistance, and management support to a portfolio of program partners. This includes overseeing program implementation, monitoring, and evaluation at your assigned partner sites. You will report directly to the Assistant State Director and will work collaboratively with state and national colleagues to continuously improve our programmatic work across the state.

Required qualifications for this position include:

·       Minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent, plus at least 3 years of relevant experience.

·       Professional proficiency in MS Office suite.

·       Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.

·       Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals and teams at all levels, both internally and externally.

·       Demonstrated commitment to fostering and maintaining an environment of diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

·       Experience working in culturally and demographically diverse communities with limited resources.

·       Willingness and ability to travel at least 50% to assigned sites throughout the state in personal and state-assigned vehicles.

 Preferred Qualifications:

·         A Bachelor's degree in a field related to early childhood development and education   with an emphasis on infant/toddler development.

·         Home visiting experience with families with infants and toddlers.

·         Experience in training, coaching, and mentoring others in-person and remote/virtual.

 

I was surprised to see that these positions just require a High School Diploma or equivalent even though the person has to take a more administrative and supervising role. I think I would be more interested in applying to a similar position that requires more academic preparation, like a bachelor's degree or a master's degree in early childhood, so that I can put into practice the new knowledge acquired through this master's degree and don't be overqualified. 

 

References

Childhood Education International. (n.d.) About us. https://ceinternational1892.org/about-us/

ISSA. (n.d.). About us. https://www.issa.nl/about-us-info

Save the Children. (n.d.). About us. https://www.savethechildren.org/us/about-us

Save the Children. (n.d.). Who we are. https://www.savethechildren.net/about-us/who-we-are