Early Childhood Development Global Specialist - Flexible Location

Handicap International/Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is an independent and impartial international solidarity organization, which intervenes in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflicts and disasters. Working alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, it acts and speaks out to meet their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights. More info: www.hi.org

HI is committed to an employment policy in favour of persons with disabilities.

ACCESSIBILITY OF THE POSITION:

This position can be based at our headquarters (France or Belgium) or at our national associations (in the UK or in Germany, Canada or the USA, for example) or at Program Level (60 countries).

CONTEXT

HI is a leading actor in disability inclusion and alongside key stakeholders such as UNICEF, WHO, the World Bank, promotes Early Childhood Development (ECD) as a powerful equalizer to allow every child to develop their full potential, including children with disabilities. Since its launch in 2018, HI promoted internally the awareness and application of the global Nurturing Care Framework and is now piloting its implementation in selected countries.

In this context, HI is looking for a dynamic ECD Specialist motivated to provide technical support to the design, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the ECD HI frame. The ECD Specialist will have a strong understanding of global evidence, best practices, and gaps around early childhood development interventions. The ideal candidate will have a particular experience integrating ECD into health contact points with caregivers and their children. They will also have experience operationalizing the Nurturing Care Framework and integrating ECD interventions into other service delivery platforms, such as rehabilitation, education, and protection. A sound comprehension of ECD and Health System Strengthening as well as the gender, age and disability inclusion perspective on ECD is highly desirable.

MISSION

The ECD Specialist will lead technical discussions and strategic thinking around ECD (particularly early detection, early intervention, MHPSS for the caregiver and child) with key internal stakeholders, such as the Specialists from the other Technical Directions (Rehabilitation, Social & Inclusion, Protection), Operation Officers and Geographic Directors, HI field staffs etc. The ECD Specialist will lead ECD activities, coordinating with the Knowledge Management Direction to stay abreast of research and best practices related to multi-sectoral ECD interventions.

The ECD Specialist will contribute to strategic plans, budget development, and annual/quarterly work plans as well as provide overall ECD technical guidance in line with HI strategic vision. In addition to global-level contributions, the ECD Specialist will provide ECD technical support to country and regional programmes, leading the development, adaptation and implementation of 0-8 ECD materials and interventions.

RESPONSABILITIES

1/Technical Support
Provide Technical support to the development of ECD projects
•Develop and roll out tools, resources, and trainings to improve ECD program implementation
•Provide technical and programmatic support to build the capacity of in-country teams on ECD programming
•Participate in the development and monitoring of technical work plans and budgets, ensure appropriate levels of technical assistance in program interventions, coordinate partners’ efforts in program implementation
•Undertake regular technical supportive supervision, mentoring and monitoring visits to project sites as necessary
•Work with and provide technical leadership and support to relevant project staff for effective program planning, implementation and monitoring
•Provide technical support to ongoing ECD projects
•Encourage and support the multi-sectoral collaboration to optimize child development, especially for children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families (i.e. Rehabilitation, MHPSS)

2/Definition of Technical framework
•Lead on internal and external dissemination of HI’s ECD Guidance Document
•Contribution to the elaboration, dissemination and implementation of the ECD strategic action plan, global framework and MEAL matrix
•Identify and define integrated ECD interventions with relevant sectors

• Lead the elaboration of HI parenting pack

• Contribute to the development of the ECD global CoP

• Contribute to the animation of the MDAT community and lead the creation of standard of practice

• Contribute to the creation of child stimulation training pack and facilitate the transversal participation of other divisions and specialists

3/Continuous learning and knowledge management
Work with the country teams to systematically document all processes, tools and lessons learned and liaise with other senior project staff in order to identify areas of improvement
•Explore and take advantage of opportunities to share/disseminate HI’s ECD program evaluation results
•Assist in preparing donor progress reports
•Facilitate knowledge generation and lessons learned events within HI and with relevant stakeholders through, publications, webinars and other knowledge sharing forums.
•Share and disseminate internally HI’s ECD knowledge, skills and know-how
•Lead the knowledge management related to ECD programming, coordinate with other relevant sectors so that they can contribute to the process, and assure that a lessons learned mechanism is elaborated and fully functional
•Development and contribution to new ECD related resources and publications
•Contribute to and facilitate learning across HI’s geographical and programmatic areas

4/Networking and representation
Promote externally HI’s visibility, capacity and know-how in the field of ECD
•Active participation in international networks on ECD such as ECDAN, ECDtf, etc.
•Represent HI in major international fora, initiatives and events related to ECD, with frequent contact with international donors

• Educational background in health including Child Health, Maternal & Child Health, Mental Health & Psychosocial Support, and/or rehabilitation (OT, PT, speech therapy)

• At least 5 years of experience in ECD (particularly early detection and early intervention) in low and middle-income countries (LMIC)
• Demonstrated familiarity with integrated and inclusive ECD, including relevant global guidance documents, stakeholders, and networks
• Proficiency in the concepts of Gender, Age and Disability Inclusion, and  Health system strengthening and ECD is highly desirable.
• Broad capacity building and training experience, including providing remote technical support
• Strong record of fostering new and effective partnerships on an international level including participation in technical advisory groups, international consultations, boards, etc.
• Ability to work on complex projects in multitasking and to respect tight deadlines
• Fluency in spoken and written English and French. Spanish is an asset

• Salary will be calculated from the experience and the location
• Type of contract: Open-ended contract
• Starting Date: ASAP
• Working hours: Full time position
• Health insurance
• Advantageous teleworking charter

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible, don’t wait for applying!

For further information about the association: www.hi.org