Early Childhood Development Centre Coordinator

ROLE PURPOSE

• Plan International is an independent child rights and humanitarian organization committed to children living a life free of poverty, violence and injustice. We actively unite children, communities and other people who share our mission to make positive lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives. We support children to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today and in the future. We place a specific focus on girls and women, who are most often left behind. 
• We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries. 
• Early childhood development is a three-year project, funded by The Children Place and The Children’s Place aligns well with WWA ‘worker wellbeing’ vertical that calls for ‘developing worker soft skills, gender equity and community well-being’, under the broader umbrella of its social strategy’. Establish a community-based Childcare/Early Childhood Development center adjacent to the Hawassa Industrial Park (HIP) to provide a safe, holistic and integrated set of  child care, maternal support and early education support to female HIP workers, their children and the wider community.
• The majority of the female workers arriving into Hawassa are ages 18-24. If they already have children and are able, they leave their children with their families in their home communities. Those without the option of family care, bring their children to Hawassa where the already scanty child care options are either too expensive or are focused only on vulnerable or orphaned youth. There are increasing reports of abandoned babies and children, as the workers do not have options or resources to provide adequate care while they are working their shifts within the IP. This issue has been raised by both workers and community members as well as the Ministry of Women, Children and Youth as a priority support service for the rapidly increasing young, female population. 

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

The ECD Centre Coordinator is responsible for overall management of ECD Center staffs, providing any and all support necessary to ensure successful implementation of ECD Activities. The position plays a key role in ensuring project activity strategies and best practices are shared across field teams, mentor and coach the staffs of the centre. The ECD center Coordinator will also Provide oversight the in internal and external representation activities, communication and knowledge management initiatives, as well as budget management, donor reporting and program development opportunities as required.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITES

• Ensuring that facilities meet compliance standards and government regulations
• Record, monitor, review and report incidents involving children and staff, and where necessary take action to reduce risk.
• Ensure all activities comply with Occupational Health and Safety regulations and other relevant statutory requirements and guidelines.
• Ensure the provision of a quality early childhood program which meets the needs of the children attending the Centre in line with the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Quality Standards.
• Manage the implementation of relevant service development and improvements in partnership with clients, the community, funding bodies and staff at a local level and Industrial park staff.
• Ensure that all activities are managed in accordance with funding requirements, meeting government regulations, contractual obligations and National Quality Standards.
• Ensure a safe, caring and stimulating environment exists for all children as well as ensuring the health and wellbeing of each child is a priority.
• Responsible for ensuring the efficient functioning of the service including the performance of staff, the quality of care and compliance with Local, State and federal Government guidelines, policies and regulations.
• Respond to enquiries, orientate and enroll new families and maintain proper registration.
• Ensure that the Child Care Centre building, grounds and equipment are maintained to a high standard of safety, cleanliness and repair.
• Manage the implementation of quality and risk management plans and systems and ensure that operational audits and actions are undertaken to achieve compliance with relevant service standards.
• Ensure the maintenance of legislated rights to confidentiality and privacy for children, families and staff.
• Ensure the provision of high-quality client  service respecting the diversity and complexity of child and family needs in accordance with relevant service standards and government regulations 
• Actively liaise with both internal and external services and networks to ensure the service is well placed within the early childhood profession.
• Establish sound working relations with key stakeholders (government and non-government) 
• Maintain effective monitoring systems to identify changes in children’s needs and report on emerging gaps within current project.
• Organize in relevant staff recruitment, induction, training and supervision.
• Prepare reports for relevant service for the government, Management and relevant funding bodies as require
• Support community-managed play-based, gender responsive early learning opportunities for children 
• Facilitate links between community-based programs and formal pre-primary and primary services including resources, oversight and support to formal and community-based ECD. 
• Establish process for licensing and certification and develop and implement communication and dissemination plan to promote service to workers and HIP Investors
• Cascade an outreach Campaign to local communities to create community-buy and ownership of Centre.
• Ensure an integrated set of child care, maternal support and early education support to female HIP workers, their children and the wider community.
• Ensure the establishment of center management committees 
• Ensure effective and efficient management of financial resources, including review and check project budgets, monitoring expenditures, and implementing cost control measures. 
• Ensure the project is implemented in compliance with donor/grant requirements
• Establish implementation plan using Plan International’s Structural Quality Dimensions Checking
• Prepare and share quality project reports as per donor requirements and the project monitoring & evaluation plan to the CO ECD technical lead
• Ensure all project level project documentation is filed and organized for accountability purposes
• Ensure project learning and achievements are documented and disseminated widely in the region
• Ensure mid –term and final project evaluation take place
• Manage and monitor partnerships with implementing organizations, including to ensure efficient utilization and timely accountability of funds allocated to implementing partners 
• Ensure adequate stakeholder consultation and participation at all stages of the project implementation

Job Requirements

Essential

• Bachelor degree in Social sciences, Social Work, Environmental Health, Public Health, or other related field 
• At least 2- 3 years of professional experience in implementation of ECD or ECD-related interventions/programs
• Ability to demonstrate integrity, responsibility, respect and innovation in all aspects of the position.
• Able to supervise and delegate duties to staff and volunteers.
• Ability to identify health and Safety issues pertaining to the work environment.
• Ability to ensure confidentially, professionalism and discretion is maintained
• Ability to work with children to maximize their potential
• Strong conceptual, verbal, and written communication skills; both in English & Amharic
• Ability to initiate and organize work while establishing priorities in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment to meet deadlines with attention to detail;
• Ability to develop strong trusting relationships and sound partnerships with local government and Non-Government actors in the sector in order to gain support and achieve results;
• Ability to manage multiple conflicting priorities;
• Ability to be flexible and interpersonal skills to interact with employees at all leve
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

Desirable 

• Strong negotiating skills.
• Direct (or close) experience in childcare centers or related facilities 
• Experience in managing people (as this role requires managing employees of the center including the caregivers/nannies
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Able to work with minimum supervision

How to Apply

The closing date for the application in 07 November 2021. Qualified candidates should submit the application using the link provided below → https://bit.ly/3pNQVht

This position is only open to Ethiopian Nationals, who must be eligible to live and work in Ethiopia.  

More information about Plan International can be found on http://plan-international.org  

References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all persons meeting the skills and experience required.

As an international child centered community development organization, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realization of children's rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we as an organization, do everything we can to keep children safe. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.