Early Childhood Development Officer US NGO Jobs – International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Job Title:   Early Childhood Development Officer

Organisation: International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Duty Station: Kyegegwa, Uganda

About the Company:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 25 U.S. cities, we improve outcomes in the areas of health, safety, economic wellbeing, education, and power.

About Kulea Watoto:

The IRC is in the final year of a 3-year, 10 m USD project “Kulea Watoto,” or “Nurturing Care” funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, which aims to improve access to quality early childhood care and development for children aged 5 and under through a two generational approach, reaching both young children and their adult caregivers through improved livelihoods opportunities. The project has been running for 2 years and is planned to end in September 2025, pending further planning and discussions. It is being implemented across three districts of Uganda, specifically Kyegegwa, Kampala and Yumbe districts in partnership with four local organizations, of which one is responsible for the research component.

Job Summary:   To support these efforts, IRC’s ECD Kulea Watoto team is looking for ECD Officer to enable ECD activity implementation at field level in Kyaka II refugee settlement and surrounding host community. The desired candidate will have strong experience in implementing ECD activities and working in the refugee settlement and understand well the importance of early childhood development and responsive caregiving.

The position will report to the Kulea Watoto Project Manager – ECD and with strong links to the Kulea Watoto project team and implementing partners, collaborating with the IRC Play Matters project team, especially for technical execution and integration of ECD and livelihoods services for excellent outcomes. This role will focus on technical aspects of ECD implementation involving training, content development, daily and weekly implementation of activities, documentation, reporting and routine monitoring and or follow-up of activity implementation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Technical implementation of project activities:

• Lead on daily and weekly basis the implementation of set activities in line with the approved workplan.
• Lead the development of training materials in line with approved curriculum on ECD.
• Support parents and caregivers (HH or group level) to provide responsive caregiving and early learning to children under the age of 5 years old.
• Support the development of ECCD improvement plans with ECCD providers/caregivers [individuals] and volunteers.
• Support the provision of essential materials to parent groups and ECCD providers
• Lead the training of parents and or caregivers (at HH or group level) on responsive caregiving and early learning.
• Support the linkage of target clients (parents/household groups) to ECCD services.
• Support actions leading to ECD Infrastructure improvements to support learning outcomes at the ECD Centres/childcare spaces.
• Support the establishment of supervised care groups in collaboration with implementing partners.
• Lead the training and support management committees of ECD schools.
• Support actions by Community ECD Groups (clustered groups).
• Lead the process and activities of seed fund disbursement for ECD local projects and ECCD services.
• Training of ECD Center Management Committees.
• Develop play and supervised care groups at ECD Centers.
• Deliver play and supervised care groups at ECD Centers.
• Coordination, representation, and partner/stakeholder relationships:
• Ensure close collaboration with the field-based team members (Play matters project staff, KRC project staff) and consistency in protocols, information, and reporting systems in line with ECD and livelihoods integration.
• Lead coordination efforts at each project location/zonal level by ensuring weekly and monthly coordination meetings between Kulea Watoto ECD assistants and KRC field project staff.
• Work with partner staff and collaborate with them in client identification and selection, and delivery of project activities including integration of ECD and livelihoods, refining of technical approaches and alignment to ensure achievement of desired outcomes.
• Make referrals to the appropriate actors where necessary.
• Maintain respectful and constructive relations with partner organizations, local authorities, and humanitarian actors.
• Attend zonal and sector working group coordination meetings at the settlement and sub counties of operation whenever required and providing detailed reports as required.

Monitoring, reporting and communication responsibilities

• Monitoring ECCD performance/progress and documenting best practices, lessons learned and success stories in line with the agreed templates and formats.
• Prepare weekly and monthly program reports, and compile lessons learnt to inform continuous project implementation.
• Collect relevant data during project implementation and provide regular reports.
• Monitor client payment processes at participating Money Transfer Agents’ locations,
• Participate in the collection of data, during assessments and post-distribution surveys as and when required including design of required tools by providing technical input.
• Participate in the verification exercise, research or MEAL whenever needed.

Other duties

• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable implementation of the IRC programs.
• Raise Purchase requests as and when required.
• Participate in regular team meetings and supervision sessions.
• Ensure that all materials are ready for info sessions before the activity
• Work constructively within the team and take the initiative on new tasks.Promptly report concerns or incidents to IRC management and liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for the ERD program.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promote a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to perform in their positions successfully.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood development, Education, social sciences, development studies or related field.
• Post graduate Diploma in Project planning and Management is desirable.

Other additional Requirements:

• Possession of a valid riding permit and at least 3 years field experience in riding a motorbike.
• At least 3 years’ experience of implementing Early Childhood Development Programme in humanitarian and development contexts.

Personal qualities:

• Works well in the refugee contexts and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well.
• Demonstrate ability to engage and build excellent working relationships with local partner organizations, create synergies while implementing the project is vital.
• Excellent facilitation training and mentorship skills.
• Demonstrate ability to mentor and supervise teams and collaborate with community structures.
• Good computer proficiency and MS – word, power point, excel, teams, outlook and other online apps.
• Inter-personal and communication skills.

How to Apply:
All suitably qualified candidates are encouraged to apply online at the link below

Click Here

Deadline: 20th November 2024

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