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

The first organization that I found to be worthwhile is the Mercy Corp. This organization saves and improves lives in the world’s toughest places (Mercy Corp, 2013). In these important and imperiled places, they listen to locals and prioritize their most urgent needs, and they take the long-term view and commit to innovative solutions that drive true change (Mercy Corp, 2013). I chose this organization because they work with children and their families in the world’s toughest places, such as, Afghanistan, Bolivia, Central African, Republic, China, Colombia, DR Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Georgia. I like this organization, but I don’t think I can leave my family and travel to a foreign country. Although, Mercy Corp is dedicated to serving children in the world’s toughest places, they also provide job opportunities in the US. The current US-based job opportunities are Accounting and Finance, Human Resources, and Technical Support.

As for qualifications, the Accounting and Finance job requires you to have a BA/S or equivalent in finance or a relevant field.

·         Four to six years of progressive grant management experience in a medium to large international organization, including responsibility for grant management, compliance systems, and sub award administration, is required. 

·         An advanced knowledge of the rules and regulations governing the management of US Government grants (particularly USAID, Dept. of State and USDA) and other donor-funded grants is required.   

·         Demonstrated experience and understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, financial reporting, accounting systems, budget development and administration is required. 

·         Effective verbal and written communication, analytical, organizational and prioritization skills as well as presentation skills are necessary. 

·         Employment overseas and experience working for an NGO with high levels of USAID funding is preferred. 

·         Experience with USAID contracts, FAR and AIDAR compliance is highly desirable.

  The Human Resource job requires you to have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in human resources, business administration, social science or relevant field.

·          2+ years of experience with recruitment/talent acquisition with preferred in an international context.

·         Experience with successful sourcing strategies for globally representative and diverse candidates.

·         Demonstrated experience and ability to create, implement, maintain and improve recruitment strategies and systems in a high-volume context.

·         2+ yeas living and working overseas preferred.

·          Demonstrated understanding of staffing in international relief and development environments.

·         Ability to communicate effectively across diverse cultures and geographical distances with sensitivity.

·          Language skills in French, Spanish, or Arabic preferred.

The Technical Support requires you to have a Master’s degree preferred in area relevant to international development, with a strong preference for agriculture-related degree.

·         At least 5 years’ experience with agricultural development, in particular production and natural resource management, with at least three of those years overseas.

·         Demonstrated experience in building capacity among vulnerable farmers/ pastoralists and improving productivity. Able to provide feedback/ training to field staff on challenges related to productivity of crops and/or livestock, or connect such staff with appropriate technical support.

·         Experience working in transitional environments, addressing root causes of hunger and poverty and building resilience even in areas that are prone to frequent shocks.

·         Familiarity with innovative practices in agriculture, which may include value chain development, linking nutrition and agriculture, conservation agriculture, social and behavioral change and/or the market systems approach.

·         Strong writing ability, with experience in writing assessments, concept notes, proposals and reports.

·         Familiarity with major donors such as USAID/Food for Peace, USDA, DFID, the EC and the Gates Foundation.

·         Familiarity with programs employing food, cash or voucher transfers preferred.

·         Experience building solid working relationships with the government, other INGOs and local NGOs.

·         Familiarity with professional standards for monitoring and evaluation, case studies and surveys. Able to connect field staff with appropriate tools for designing, implementing and measuring agricultural development work.

·         Proven success working on matrixes teams and in non-hierarchical settings.

·         Proven success working with staff with diverse backgrounds.

·         French and/or Spanish language proficiency preferred.

 Reference

Mercy Corp. (2013). About Us. Retrieved March 26, 2013, from http://www.mercycorps.org/about-us

The second organization that I found to be worthwhile is the Kentucky River Foothills Development Council, Inc. This organization is committed to the promise of helping people and changing lives (Kentucky River Foothills Development Council, Inc., n.d.). This agency, which primarily serves Clark, Estill, Madison, and Powell counties, embraces a philosophy of needs-based strategies and family-based services leading to family self-sufficiency and economic self-reliance (Kentucky River Foothills Development Council, Inc., n.d.). I chose this organization because it works with low-income families, which is my passion. Currently they do not have any career opportunities available, but they will allow you to fill out an application, so they will have it on file. As for the qualification, you won’t be able to see those until they post the jobs available.

 Reference

Kentucky River Foothills Development Council, Inc. (n.d.). About Kentucky river foothills development council, inc. Retrieved March 26, 2013, from http://www.foothillscap.org/AboutUs/AboutUs.html

The third organization that I found to be worthwhile is the Administration for Children & Families (ACF). This organization is a division of the Department of Health & Human Services that promotes the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and communities (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). I chose this program because they provide programs such as temporary assistance for needy families, head start programs, child support programs, disability programs, and native American and tribe programs. Each program is set out to foster the well-being of children, families, and the early childhood field as a whole. I tried pulling up the job opportunities, but it kept redirecting me to a blank screen. Although, I like this job opportunity, I couldn’t get the website to pull up their current availabilities.

Reference

 

Administration for Children & Families (AFC). (n.d.). About administration for children & families.

 

            Retrieved March 26, 2013, from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/about

 

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

After surfing the web, I have learned that there are several agencies out there that are dedicated to fostering the well-being of children, families, and the early childhood field as a whole. The first organization that I found to be worthwhile is called Save the Children. Their organization mission “is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives” (Save the Children, 2013). I chose this organization because they serve children all around the world. “When disaster strikes around the world, Save the Children is there to save lives with food, medical care and education and remains to help communities rebuild through long-term recovery programs” (Save the Children, 2013). They have two jobs available in the United States right now, and they are located in Seattle, Washington, and Brooklyn, New York. The job in Seattle seems to be interesting because I will get a chance “to visit sites on as needed basis, support partners with implementation, training and technical assistance to Early Childhood Coordinators” (Save the Children, 2013). I think that would be a good experience for me to step out of the classroom and put some of my management skills to work. In order for me to qualify for the position, I must have a “Bachelors Degree in EC Education or related, training and hands on experience with 0 to 3 years training and working with or supporting home visitors: (Save the Children, 2013).

Reference

Save the Children. (2013). Who we are. Retrieved March 14, 2013, from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6146355/k.24E9/Who_We_Are.htm

The second organization that I found to be worthwhile is called Tennessee Voices for Children. Their mission is to “speak out as active advocates for the emotional and behavioral well-being of children and their families” (Tennessee Voices for Children, 2013). I chose this organization because they “work collaboratively with parents, professionals, state and federal officials, policy makers and other key stakeholders to ensure that services provided to children and families in Tennessee are family driven, community based, and culturally and linguistically competent” (Tennessee Voices for Children, 2013). They have three jobs available in the Knoxville, Tennessee area, but I don’t think they would suite me because I don’t want to move to Knoxville. In order to qualify for the positions, you must have a “High school diploma or equivalent, Clerical and computer experience, Switchboard experience strongly preferred, Non-profit organization experience, and a work history within child serving systems preferred” (Tennessee Voices for Children, 2013). The other position requires you to have a “Master’s Degree in social science or closely related field with two (2) or more years of work experience in the field. Licensure preferred. Preference given to parents/caregivers or family members of child with SED, Non-profit organization experience, and work history within child serving systems also strongly preferred” (Tennessee Voices for Children).

 

Reference

Tennessee Voices for Children. (2013). About Tennessee Voices for Children. Retrieved March 14, 2013, from http://www.tnvoices.org/AboutUs

The third organization that I found to be worthwhile is called Stand for Children. Their mission is to “ensure that all children, regardless of their background, graduate from high school prepared for, and with access to, a college education” (Stand for Children, 2013). I chose this website because it “offers a dynamic and fast-paced organizational culture which encourages and rewards calculated risk-taking, innovation, entrepreneurial leadership, and learning and personal growth” (Stand for Children, 2013). Although, I like this organization, they do not have any openings in Memphis, Tennessee area, but they do have two job opportunities in Nashville, Tennessee.

Qualifications

·         Passionate and unwavering belief in and alignment with Stand for Children and Stand for Children Leadership Center’s shared mission to ensure that all children, regardless of their background, graduate from high school prepared for and with access to a college education; ·         Demonstrated knowledge of the history and political landscape of Nashville and its constituencies, including the students and families served by Nashville schools; ·         Minimum of 3 years of working closely with community members or parents to achieve change, including teaching, community or political organizing, advocacy, or relevant leadership experience; campaign experience a strong plus; ·         Proven track record of leading and executing visionary strategies for social change; ·         Significant management experience, including hiring, supervising, and developing a team of direct reports; ·         Knowledge of and interest in local and state education policy; ·         Track record of success in maintaining strategic relationships and working collaboratively with diverse organizations and constituencies, including, but not limited to, government bodies, businesses, and funders; ·         Existing relationships with key stakeholders in the education community in Nashville strongly preferred; ·         Demonstrated success with fundraising strongly preferred; ·         Spanish language proficiency strongly preferred; ·         Strong interpersonal, communications, and team-building skills; and ·         Availability to manage a flexible and independent schedule, including attending key community events on evenings and weekends (Stand for Children, 2013).   Reference   Stand for Children. (2013). About stand for children. Retrieved March 14, 2013, from http://stand.org/tennessee/about/memphis