My blog assignment this
week has brought me to explore International early childhood
organizations. Needless to say this was
very informational and educational. I
have enjoyed learning about the different International organizations. The first organization that I looked at was Association
for Childhood Education International (ACEI).
ACEI’s tagline is "Bright futures for every child, every
nation," which highlights ACEI's commitment to support and advocate for
access to education, equity in educational settings, quality educational
content, and the child's right to education (2015). Their mission is to promote and support the
optimal education, development, and well-being of children and youth worldwide
(ACEI, 2015). Their global community includes educators and advocates who bring
their knowledge, experience, and perspectives together in order to exchange
information, explore innovation, and advocate for children (ACEI, 2015). They
have different levels of membership available as an individual, center or
organization. As an individual students
can join at a reduced rate as long as they are enrolled in Associate, Bachelor
or Graduate degree program at an accredited institution (ACEI, 2016). More
information on the different individual memberships available can be found at
the following link http://portal.acei.org/4DCGI/join/person/mbrtype.html?MenuKey=123
As I researched for job opportunities with this
organization, I was not successful in finding any paid job opportunities,
however, I learned that they occasionally have internships available that are
8-12 weeks during the summer months and they are based in their Washington DC headquarters,
interns are responsible for their own housing.
More information on this opportunity can be found at http://www.acei.org/internships-at-acei
I was also able to locate information on volunteering for this
organization.
The second international organization
that I chose to learn more about was Unicef, they are concerned with every
child having a fair chance in life (Unicef, n.da). They have many priorities
that they work on and they include:
·
Child survival and development
·
Basic education and Gender equality
·
HIV/AIDS and children
·
Child protection
·
Policy advocacy and partnership (Unicef,
n.d.a)
As I searched for jobs I learned that UNICEF has an internship
program where interns may find opportunities at both their Headquarters and
country offices which provides interns the opportunity to acquire direct
practical experience in UNICEF's work under the direct supervision of
experienced UNICEF staff (UNICEF, 2015). The eligibility requirement can be
found at the link that follows http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_internship.html
Unicef has many job opportunities available in a
variety of locations both in the United States and in other countries. The link to explore their job opportunities is
A job that I found on their website that I could one
day be interested in is their Early Childhood Development (ECD) Specialist. The location of the position was in Kampala,
Uganda. In this position you are responsible
for will be accountable for the
formulation, design, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of ECD
programs to ensure overall efficiency and effectiveness of the program
management, delivery and accomplishment of program goals and objectives (UNICEF,
n.d.b). You can learn more about this job and search their other jobs at the
following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=494038
. The job information did not state the actual pay scale. I personally found this job to be interesting
but I do not think it would allow me to work with the children on a regular
daily basis, which is my preference.
Further, I do not meet all of the job requirements which include
·
Advanced university degree (Master's) in
one or more of the disciplines relevant to Early Childhood Development; or
Social Sciences fields relevant to international development assistance.
·
A minimum of eight (8) years of
progressively professional work experience at the national and international
levels, in fields relevant to Early Childhood Development programs is required.
·
Strong
knowledge in demonstrative capacity to identify and monitor gender
inequalities, as well as develop and implement gender mainstreaming in programs.
·
Work
experience in a field relevant to development assistance
·
Background/familiarity
with Emergency.
·
Experience
working in the UN or other international development organization is considered
an asset.
·
Fluency
in English (verbal and written) is required.
Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French,
Russian, Spanish) and local working language of the duty station are considered
an asset (Unicef, n.d.b)
The
third international organization I looked into was Save the Children, they also
invest in early childhood. It is rewarding
to see so many organizations investing in children. This organization give
children in the United States and around the world a healthy start, the
opportunity to learn, and protection from harm to help change their future as
well as ours (Save the Children, 2016). They have been fighting for children rights
and saving their lives since 1919 (Save the Children, 2016). The organization has
many job opportunities available in the United States and Internationally. The job that caught my interest was a
position that was for a coordinator for Early Steps to Success. This position though it is not necessarily
working with children in a classroom setting would still allow me to work with
children, however, probably not as much as I would prefer. I was unable to locate the rate of pay for
this position.
The program coordinator
works with children from birth to five and pregnant women. The coordinator does home visits, playgroup
sessions, transition to school activities and other pertinent activities such
as screenings and referrals
(Save the children, 2014).
The qualifications for this position are highly
motivated, flexible and nonjudgmental individual who is eager to learn (Save
the children, 2014)
·
Associate
degree in related field, Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience
·
Experience
working with pregnant women, children ages birth to five, and families in rural
areas
·
Home
visiting experience
·
Experience
leading parent groups
·
Demonstrated
early childhood knowledge, including infant/toddler knowledge
·
Energetic,
motivated and creative
·
Able
to work independently
·
Available
and reliable vehicle for visiting families (mileage reimbursed)
·
Competency
with computers including previous experience with Windows programming and
Internet use
·
Willingness
to travel regionally and nationally for training
·
Willingness
to collect data and participate in the program evaluation
(Save
the children, 2014)
It has been very
interesting to explore the different organizations and learn about the variety of
job opportunities that are available in the early childhood field. I also found it interesting to learn how
these international organizations have job opportunities and internships available
in the United States and that their main offices are also here.
References
ACEI. (2015). About
us. Retrieved from http://www.acei.org/about-us
ACEI. (2016). Join
ACEI today. Retrieved from http://portal.acei.org/4DCGI/join/person/
mbrtype.html?MenuKey=123
Save the Children. (2014). Careers. Retrieved from https://chc.tbe.taleo.net/chc01/ats/careers/
requisition.jsp?org=SAVETHECHILDREN&cws=1&rid=3807
Save the Children (2016). Who we are. Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/
c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6146355/k.24E9/Who_We_Are.htm
Unicef. (2015). Internship
programme. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/
index_internship.html
Unicef. (n.d.a).
Unicef. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/whatwedo/
Unicef. (n.d.b). Early
childhood development (ECD) specialist, P-4, Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved
from http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=494038
