Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally
“UNICEF is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized” (United Nations Children’s Fund [UNICEF], n.d.). “UNICEF was created with this purpose in mind – to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path” (UNICEF, n.d.). “UNICEF advocates for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future” (UNICEF, n.d.). “UNICEF upholds the Convention on the Rights of the Child and upholds the Convention on the Rights of the Child” (UNICEF, n.d.). UNICEF has five focus areas: HIV/AIDS and children, Child survival and development, Child protection, Basic education and gender equality, and Policy advocacy and partnerships.
UNICEF has what they call NETI participants. “The New and Emerging Talent Initiative (NETI) is an entry point for dynamic professionals interested in an international career with UNICEF” (UNICEF, n.d.). I found the NETI program very interesting and exciting to learn about. One requirement that I would have to work on is the language. I have some knowledge of French but I would have to refresh myself.
The following came from the UNICEF website about what is a NETI participant and what are the requirements:
NETI participants are motivated and talented entry to mid-career level professionals who are interested in an international career with UNICEF, and who have a passion for making a difference for children worldwide.
The focus and method of work for NETI participants varies from country to country. However, participants typically interact with government, civil society, academic institutions, the private sector, UN agencies, donors and other development organizations in working towards childrens’ survival, protection and development goals.
Eligibility:
The following candidates are eligible to apply to the NETI programme:
- UNICEF National Professional Officers and General Service staff at the GS-6 and GS-7 levels;
- UNICEF staff members holding a temporary appointment;
- UNICEF Junior Professional Officers (JPOs) who have completed at least 15 months of the JPO programme;
- External candidates from outside UNICEF.
Please Note: National Professional Officers and General Service staff at GS-6 and GS-7 levels who are selected to participate in the programme will be offered a fixed-term appointment that replaces their previous letter of appointment, including any permanent or continuing appointment. They will not have the right to return to their previous post in UNICEF.
Candidates from all nationalities are welcome to apply.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the United Nations staff rules, a person who has permanent residence status in a country other than that of his/her own nationality must relinquish such permanent residence status in order to be eligible for UNICEF appointment to the Professional and higher categories of staff, subject to a few exceptions.
The following minimum requirements shall be placed on all NETI programme applicants:
- Have completed an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) at the time of application. Any number of years of relevant professional experience is not substitute for the required educational qualifications. Please see below for important information on education requirements.
- Have proficiency in English and another official language of the United Nations i.e., Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish; knowledge of local languages can be an asset.
- Be ready to be assigned to any UNICEF office worldwide, including hardship duty stations.
- Have at least two years of relevant work experience for functions at the P-2 level, and at least five years of relevant work experience for functions at the P-3 level. Relevant experience should include work in developing countries and in multicultural environments.
Preference will be given to candidates under 35 years of age.
Educational Requirements
The expectation of UNICEF, as an employer is that university degrees presented by applicants satisfy the required level of education and come from bona fide (accredited) academic institutions. Only degrees from accredited institutions are considered legitimate for purposes of recruitment and selection for posts at UNICEF. Degrees requiring little or no actual course work, degrees awarded for payment of fees only, and degrees granting substantial credits for “lifetime achievements” or “life/work experience” will normally not be recognized by UNICEF.
When determining whether a degree is recognized, UNICEF is guided by the International Association of Universities’ (IAU) listing of higher education institutions recognized or otherwise approved by competent authorities in participating countries. UNICEF will normally recognize only degrees obtained from institutions on the IAU list, however, the validity of other degrees submitted by applicants under consideration would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Incomplete degrees are unacceptable to UNICEF as proof of academic qualification, regardless of whether they are associated with a recognized higher education institution.
Save the Children
“Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world” (Save the Children, 2011). “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, 2011). “Grounded in our shared vision of a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation, Save the Children’s new 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, 2011).
Their Values:
“Each and every staff member and volunteer of Save the Children shares the values that, either individually or through teamwork, drive our breakthroughs for children.
- Accountability: We take personal responsibility for using our resources efficiently, achieving measurable results and being accountable to supporters, partners, and most of all, children.
- Ambition: We demand the best of ourselves and our colleagues, set high goals and firmly commit to improving the quality of everything we do for children.
- Collaboration: We respect and value each other, thrive on our diversity and work with partners to leverage our global strength in making a difference for children.
- Creativity: We are open to new ideas, embrace change and take disciplined risks to develop sustainable solutions for and with children.
- Integrity: We aspire to live to the highest standards of personal honesty and behavior; we never compromise our reputation and always act in the best interests of children” (Save the Children, 2011).
The job opportunity that caught my eye was in the Emergency Responders section. Below is the requirements and job description. I feel that this would really let me utilize what I have learn while earning my Master’s degree here at Walden University.
Emergency Education Cluster Co-ordinator Location: Global Division: Policy and Humanitarian Response
Description
Save the Children
Summary
The Education Cluster Co-ordinator is to ensure a coherent and effective response to education needs being addressed by agencies engaging in education interventions, as required by the activation of the United Nations Cluster System. The Education Cluster Coordinator will lead this initiative by working closely with the education stakeholders (children, families, communities, authorities, education institutions and INGOs and UN agencies) to provide an effective, timely and strategic collective response to the current situation. The Education Cluster Co-ordinator will work impartially, serving the needs of all members of the Education Cluster, and should work closely with the UN Humanitarian/Resident Co-ordinator as appropriate.
Responsibilities
- Assume overall responsibility for co-ordination of the Education Cluster.
- Work closely with other key members of the Education Cluster, including school officials, National, Provincial or Local Governments, OCHA, UNICEF and all other cluster members.
- Secure commitments from humanitarian actors responding to or supporting the emergency response.
- Lead development of the Education Cluster work plan, and co-ordinate the harmonization of response activities, ensuring that activities prevent overlap and duplication.
- Ensure that cluster activities reflect the needs identified at field locations.
- Ensure that information is shared amongst cluster members, and that information from other sectors and clusters is made available to cluster members in order to improve planning, integration and implementation.
- Ensure clear and effective communication occurs between the field and the national cluster.
- Contribute to regular OCHA sitreps, and take an active part in OCHA coordination meetings.
- Ensure that inter-agency response strategy for Education reflects key findings from needs assessments, identifying gaps, and formulating a sector-wide inter agency response plan, taking into account the cross-cutting areas from other sectors or clusters.
- Ensure education is explicitly included and prioritized in all multi-sector assessments and reports, including OCHA Sitreps.
- Ensure cluster members are aware of relevant minimum standards, policies and guidelines with apply to all agencies.
- Track and monitor cluster members fund raising for Education specific interventions, and ensure that members are aware of funding opportunities.
- Where appropriate, ensure that capacity building of country programme staff occurs in order to ensure ongoing sustainability and quality of the response.
Requirements
- Excellent communication skills, including ability to facilitate diverse groups.
- Relevant qualifications in Education, related field or at least fie years of relevant experience.
- Experience of high level co-ordination and chairing of meetings.
- Experience in humanitarian response within the education sector.
- Understanding of international humanitarian response and co-ordination mechanisms.
- Ability to work and represent views across different stakeholders taking part in the Education cluster.
- Understanding of opportunities to provide integrated or cross-cutting humanitarian interventions with other sectors and Clusters.
- Understanding of the consolidated Appeals Process and other funding mechanisms.
- Ability to plan strategically, taking into account the views of diverse stakeholders.
- Excellent advocacy skills.
- Excellent written and verbal English language skills.
- Experience and/or an interest in response region desirable.
- Ability to speak other international languages desirable.
- Formal training in Cluster Co-ordination desirable.
Employee Type
Emergency Roster
Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. In 2010, we improved the lives of over 64 million children in need in the United States and around the world. Our goal is to reach more than 74 million children annually by the year 2012. Join our dedicated and diverse staff committed to improving the well-being of children.
Save the Children provides an attractive benefits package including competitive salaries, a matching retirement plan, health and welfare benefits, life insurance, an employee assistance program, generous time off and much more. We are an equal opportunity organization dedicated to our core values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.
When I first went to the Academy for Educational Development’s website, I was first confused because I saw FHI 360. It was after looking through the website did I realize it was the correct website but they had changed their name. “FHI 360 is a global development organization with a rigorous, evidence-based approach. Our professional staff includes experts in health, nutrition, education, economic development, civil society, environment and research. FHI 360 operates from 60 offices with 4,400 staff in the U.S. and around the world” (Academy for Educational Development [AED], 2011).
The following is the Job opportunity that I found intriguing
National Institute for Work and Learning Intern
Location: US, Washington, DC
Req ID: 2485
National Only:
Description
FHI 360 is a global development organization with a rigorous, evidence-based approach. Our professional staff includes experts in health, nutrition, education, economic development, civil society, environment and research. FHI 360 operates from 60 offices with 4,400 staff in the U.S. and around the world. Our commitment to partnerships at every level and our multidisciplinary approach enable us to have a lasting impact on the individuals, communities and countries we serve–improving lives for millions. We seek qualified candidates for the position of NIWL Intern in Washington, DC.
Position Description:
- Recruit study participants by phone and by email for survey administration.
- Administer survey over the phone and enter resulting data accurately.
- Maintain accurate and confidential records of sensitive participant information (e.g., contact information, survey responses, transcripts).
- Collect and organize college transcripts (course/grade records) for study participants.
- Enter transcript data in database based on coding system (training will be provided).
- May support or conduct data analysis tasks for survey and/or transcript data, depending on skill level and experience.
- The candidate must be highly organized and detail oriented for accurate and efficient record keeping, data collection, entry, and analysis.
- The candidate should be personable and professional (a friendly, "customer service" orientation) in order to engage study participants.
- The candidate will ideally have some basic knowledge and skills in education or social science research.
- The candidate should be a self-starter. Skills in MS Word and Excel are required. Skills in SPSS are preferred, but not required
Minimum Requirements:
Bachelors required; Masters preferred. Degree in Adult & Continuing Education or Adult Education or Behavioral Science or Bilingual Education or Communications or Counseling & Guidance or Curriculum & Teaching or Data Processing or Dev, Learning & Instruction or Developmental Education or Education or Education Planning or Education Policy or Education Psychology or Education Research or Education Theory or Educational Administration or Evaluation Research or Experimental Psychology or Higher Education or Human Development or Human Resources Management or Psychology or Research & Evaluation or Secondary Education or Social Science or Sociology or Teaching & Curriculum or Youth Development. 1 year(s) of relevant experience required. The candidate must be familiar with the US education system (primarily high school and college levels). The candidate must be able to interpret a typical high school or college transcript (e.g., courses taken, grades received, GPA, standardized test scores). The candidate must have some experience in data collection and entry.
Interested candidates may register online through FHI 360's Career Center at www.fhi360.org/careercenter or through the Employment section at www.fhi360.org. Please submit CV/resume and cover letter including salary requirements. Please specify source in your application.
AA/EOE/M/F/V/D
References
