Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

As I explore international career opportunities, I researched the Academy for Educational Development. The reason that I chose the Academy for Educational Development is because we share the same values and mission of allowing all people and children of all cultures, ages, and genders, abilities, capabilities or disabilities a chance to prosper and grow to their highest level possible. The mission we share is to improve the lifestyles of children and families development through integrated solutions (Academy for Educational Development, 2011). The career path that I would like to conquer within the Academy for Educational Development is a senior technical officer, social and behavior change communication, Jordan Health Communication Program in Jordan Amman. The candidate Provides social and behavior change communication (SBCC) technical assistance to a USAID-funded, 5-year, multi-million dollar health communication program in Jordan. The responsibilities is to provide technical oversight and assistance to the project in the areas of social and behavior change communication (SBCC), capacity strengthening, community mobilization, and advocacy. Leads and contributes to the development of SBCC strategies for a variety of focal audiences. Leads and contributes to the planning, design, and implementation of SBCC activities at community and institutional levels. Develops and tests materials; working with, and providing technical direction to creative agencies. Designs, drafts, tests, finalize, places, and monitors mass and other media in support of program activities. Develops and improves upon tailored training curriculums for a variety of focal groups and implementation of cascade trainings with partners. Serves as a technical resource in SBCC for staff, partners/grantees/subcontractors. Provides training, support, and direction to strengthen approaches, materials, and activities. Oversees and provides technical support toward the process of documentation of best practices and develops and distributes case studies and project briefs to highlight SBCC activities. Drives and provides assistance toward the development of project deliverables, work plans, and reports. The qualifications for the position is Bachelor’s degree or its international equivalent in International Communication, Social and Behavior Change Communication; Social Marketing; Public Health, Health Communication; or Social Sciences. Masters degree or PhD preferred; Minimum 8+ years relevant experience in designing and managing health communication campaigns and activities; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience; Experience and knowledge of family planning programs preferred; Experience working in a USAID or other donor-funded project preferred; A solid understanding and appreciation of USAID and USAID project processes, procedures, rules and regulations; Strong written and verbal communication skills; Strong intercultural supervisory and team building skills and experience; Ability to work independently with initiative to manage high volume work flow; Relevant computer software skills (including, at a minimum, the standard applications in MS Office) (Association for Educational Development, 2011). I chose this position because I will be able to utilize my education, leadership skills, work experience in healthcare and knowledge of effective communication to be able to help lead and contribute to the development, implantation, planning and strategies to build a stronger technical system that will help the community.    My second choice on international career opportunities is with Save The Children. I chose Save The Children because of the values to work as a team, motivation to protect the children, improving the quality of life for children, integrity, being accountable for children and themselves and collaboration to work together globally to build strength and relationship to make a difference for all children (Save The Children, 2011). The career choice for me within Save The Children is Coordinator, Billing and Donor Reporting in WestPort, Connecticut. The reason that I chose this career is because of my twelve years experience as a medical biller within a children’s hospital setting. I would be able to help with the coordination of finances within the revenue cycle, assist with billing issues, review contractual adjustments and obligations, communicate and build a relationship with the clients, coordinate records and the different process that is needed to keep the billing cycle flowing. The position responsibilities are Prepare financial reports and invoices accurately and timely on a monthly basis. Ensure internal controls in the billing and contract/grant setup processes. Liaise with Contract/Grant, Program, and Finance (i.e., Manager, Accounts Receivable) staffs to effectively resolve cost/billing/reporting issues. Ensure reconciliations and adjustments for agency’s awards are processed monthly, Communicate effectively with internal and external clients, Maintain grant reporting format and frequency in various automated and manual systems, and Maintain paid invoice files relevant to the portfolio, and other job-related tasks as assigned (Save The Children, 2011). The required skills needed for the position is a Bachelor’s degree in one of the following or related fields: Accounting, Business Administration, and Finance, or equivalent combination of education and work experience. Three to five years’ billing and grant reporting experience, Excellent communication and organizational skills with a customer service orientation, Analytical thinker and mathematically oriented, Strong problem solving skills and writing skills, Knowledgeable of revenue accounting and an understanding of its impact on financial statements (Save The Children, 2011).   My third choice is the United Nations Children's Fund. I chose the United Nations Children’s Fund because of their commitment and dedication to early childhood education, nutrition, poverty prevention, child protection, HIV/AIDS awareness, gender equality and policy advocates (United Nations Children’s Fund, n.d.). I want to explore career opportunities within the United Nations Children’s Fund as a Health Specialist in Assam, India. The reason that I chose this career is because I want to give back and provide support to children and families who face socioeconomic issues, disease prevention, lack of nutrition, inequality issues, children and family protection, and early childhood education funding. The responsibilities of a Health Specialist is to contribute to the overall effort of Country Programme implementation providing technical, strategic and policy advice to Government counterparts at the state-level within the framework of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)’s Reproductive and Child Health Programme Phase 2 (RCH II). He/ She will also be responsible for technical assistance in planning, implementation, and monitoring of high impact interventions for improved child survival, maternal health, systems strengthening, at state-level and in focus districts, with particular reference to the vulnerable and hard-to-reach (United Nations Children’s Fund, n.d.). The qualifications for the position is MBBS with an advanced degree in any of the following disciplines: Public Health, Medicine, Health Research, International Health, Health Policy & Management, Environmental Health Sciences, Family Health, Biostatistics, Socio-medical Sciences, Epidemiology, Health Education, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Educational Interventions in Health Care, Nursing or a field relevant to international development assistance in Health. Five (5) years of professional work experience at the State/National level in policy-cum-programme development, monitoring & implementation of primary health care programmes including experience in field-based management and implementation of young child survival and development as well as maternal health initiatives. . Knowledge of the technical support required in health related emergencies and humanitarian preparedness. Demonstrated experience in Health Policy analysis and influencing is mandatory. Managerial and analytical skills are essential attributes. Experience of working in the UN or other international development organization will be an asset (United Nations Children’s Fund, n.d.).

 

References

Academy for Educational Development. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.aed.org/en/index.htm 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

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

The three national/federal organizations or communities of practice that appealed to me are as follows:

 

National Association for the education of young children.

http://www.naeyc.org/resources/research/overview 

I chose the National Association for the Education of Young Children because of the applied research to make a stronger connection between early childhood research, practice, and policy. The research will assist with a variety of communication resources for educators, policy makers, and students. The research will help support the development, access and interpretation of certain knowledge that will enhance their lifestyles. The job opportunity that I would like to explore at the National Association for the Education of Young Children is Communications and Information Manager. The skills and experience that I would need to be a successful candidate and employee is B.A. in Communications or related field and 3-5 years experience in developing and writing communications is required. Experience in the field of education, early childhood education, human service, and/or association experience a plus. Candidates must have effective oral and written communications skills, the ability to identify, analyze and resolve problems, must be able to multi-task, work in a fast–paced environment, have strong MS Office computer and database management skills (National Association for the education of young children, 2013).

 

National Education Association 2003-2013

http://www.nea.org/home/18163.htm 

I chose the National Education Association because of the dedication, commitment and promoting the purpose of early childhood education. The National Education Association brings together many state affiliates to provide the tools and resources as well as funding to help promote growth opportunities, quality education, teaching and diversity, cultural responsive teaching, bullying prevention, rights for children and no child left behind act. The job opportunity that I would like to explore at National Education Association is a Senior Research Analyst. The position will require that I have Extensive knowledge and practical experience in conceptualizing, designing and conducting survey-based and secondary analyses on topics pertaining to K-12 and higher education. Training and experience in advanced statistical methods, such as demographic modeling, economic estimation techniques, forecasting, multi-level regression analysis, discrete data analysis, meta-analysis, etc. Training and/or experience in designing complex samples and computing appropriate tests of significance for complex designs. Extensive knowledge of key education policy issues, research literature and data sources relevant to public K-12 and higher education. Expertise in analyzing large data sets using SAS, STATA, or SPSS. Proven project management skills and ability to allocate time and resources toward the completion of multiple projects with overlapping timelines. Demonstrated ability to synthesize and interpret quantitative research documents for professional and lay audiences. Proven oral and written communications skills. Minimum Education Requirement: Ph.D. in Sociology, Economics, Statistics or related discipline, including advanced graduate studies that provide a solid foundation in research methodology and statistics. Minimum Qualifications: Five years of progressively responsible experience in education research involving the application of advanced statistical techniques in the analysis of complex data sets; experience in heading major research projects; experience writing for professional and scholarly journals and in public speaking, with proven ability to communicate complex ideas to professional and lay audiences (National Education Association 2003-2013).

 

National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education

https://sites.google.com/a/naecs-sde.org/www/aboutus

I chose the National Association of Early Childhood Specialist because of the advancement in improving instruction, curriculum, and administration of programs to meet high quality standards. I also chose this organization due to the collaboration and shared ideas to overcome the issues and trends in early childhood education. The organization supports policies and legislation that can have a negative impact on the education, health, and welfare of children and their families. The employment opportunities that I would like to obtain within the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education is State Early Childhood Specialists. The reason that I chose this position is to assist children and families at state levels and to devote my time, passion and be committed to diversity, collaboration and inspiration to all children around the world. This position holds a wide variety of positions within their respective state education agencies. These positions typically include fiscal responsibility, programmatic decision making, and assuring program compliance with state policy. Among these responsibilities are many programs with federal ties: Title I, Even Start, Head Start Collaboration, Federal Class Size, Special Education, Homeless, and Schools of the 21st Century. Additional responsibilities often include state-funded preschool programs; at-risk programming; school-age child care; school administration and improvement; curriculum and assessment in the early grades; and data collection about the health, education, and well-being of the young children in the state. There are no special job requirements for this position (National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education, n.d.).

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