Early Childhood Development Programme Coordinator at ICS- SP Africa

Location: Kisumu, with responsibility to support ICS SP ECD work across the region

Purpose of function

Serve as the ECD lead for ICS SP and provide technical direction and leadership for the creation and implementation of high-quality ECD programming and content within the region. Specifically, the coordinator will be responsible for the design, day to day implementation and monitoring of a new ECD program aimed at promoting early childhood development and reducing child maltreatment among 0-8 year olds in Kenya.

Key areas of responsibility

• Programme management and implementation
• Serve as the overall project coordinator for the new ECD Programme, ensuring quality implementation in compliance with ICS SP and donor policy
• Design and implement relevant, effective, and sustainable ECD interventions that achieve project goals and objectives in a timely manner
• With staff, review project goals and objectives on a regular basis and develop an annual work plan and oversee work plan implementation.
• Technical advice and capacity building
• Collaborate with programme teams (skilful parenting, child protection, Education, Family economic strengthening ) to come up with innovative strategies for integration of ECD activities across ICS SP programs
• Lead the development and revision of technical tools and learning materials and resources to support strategic areas of intervention in early childhood care and development and guide team members in their use
• Lead the development of new business concept notes and proposals for the continuation and expansion of ECD programming in ICS SP target countries
• Providing technical advice and support internally- Coach, train, and mentor staff with the aim of strengthening their ECD technical capacity
• Providing technical advice and support externally - as required, participate in meetings, forums and working groups with government stakeholders and partners in order to share experiences, knowledge and, when required, advice for the development of ECD programme and policies at National and County level
• Keep abreast of trends in child development regionally and globally, to ensure application of current knowledge and best practices in ICS SP work.
• Monitoring, reporting and learning
• Guide the design of data collection methodologies/tools to facilitate monitoring and evaluation, as well as large research efforts to document effectiveness of ECD interventions
• Regularly visit program sites to monitor and support field staff, implementing partners and communities;
• Ensure the submission of timely, accurate and well written project and reports and other reporting requirements for all ECD programming
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of program finances and progress status, review actual financial performance against the budget, and explain variances on a regular basis
• Identify, document and share best practice and success stories to facilitate scale up and implementation of ECD projects
• Partnerships and representation
• Build collaborative partnerships with government, CSOs and local implementing partners to facilitate effective implementation and dissemination of ECD materials and activities
• Organize and lead regular ECD meetings with key stakeholders including Government, CSOs and research partners
• As required, represent ICS SP in meetings in matters relating to ECD

Skills and Qualifications

• Passion for the health, welfare and education of children;
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in an NGO and good understanding of the fields of early childhood development, child protection and health;
• University degree in education, social sciences or related fields. Master’s degree preferred
• Proven experience in managing and/or technically supporting early childhood development, education or child protection programs
• Proven excellent interpersonal, mentoring and capacity building skills
• Proven ability to deliver projects in line with proposals, budgets and timelines;
• Ability to make decisions and suggestions based on strong analytical and problem solving skills;
• Ability to travel up to 25% time, required
• Demonstrable budget holding experience
• Previous Staff management experience
• Child safeguarding: The responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people