Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

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)

For more detailed information on these topics and what the organization does you can visit the following link http://www.unicef.org/whatwedo/

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