Regional Early Childhood Care and Development Specialist

Region: Plan Asia

Location: Based at a Country Office within Plan Asia with extensive travel (50%) throughout the region.

Reports To: Deputy Regional Director for Programmes

Closing Date: Sunday 29th January 2012

Assignment Length: 5 year contract

Salary: The salary range for this role will be US$50 - 60,000 per annum depending on experience. This is an accompanied position and full expat benefits will be available.

To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter detailing your salary requirements and quoting reference AR020 to recadmin@plan-international.org

PURPOSE

The purpose of this position is to provide regional leadership and coherence in Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) programmes in the Asia region with a particular emphasis on “The Right to a Healthy Start in Life.” The post holder will provide technical guidance to the 13 ECCD Specialists at the country level, in the design, development, monitoring and evaluation of Plan’s ECCD programmes while advocating for appropriate ECCD policies in the region and raising Plan’s profile as a key player in this area.
The total regional budget for ECCD in the region is approx. USD 25 million per year with each country accountable for its own budget. Some key programme interventions are early childhood education, parenting education, psychosocial stimulation as well as health and nutrition.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• As an expert in the area, the Regional ECCD Specialist influences Plan’s decision makers e.g. the regional management team, country management teams, country programme teams on quality ECCD programming, and provides technical advice to the 13 ECCD counterparts in the countries.
• The current annual operational budget for the Regional ECCD Specialist is minimal, however, the Regional ECCD Specialist is expected to raise new grants for regional, multi-country and country initiatives to expand ECCD programming in Asia.
• The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring that a quality ECCD programme is strategically developed across Plan’s 13 Country Offices in the region to ensure achievement of the regional and global strategic goals.
• A Regional ECCD Strategy is designed to ensure coherent and quality programme implementation in the region and integration with other programmes. Country Offices are supported with technical input and programme management best practices in the area through country strategic planning processes to ensure quality design and accountability from the beginning.
• Country Offices receive regular technical support to ensure the country strategic plan is adhered to.
• Capacity is mapped and strategic action plans are developed to address gaps in order to ensure quality programme delivery throughout the region.
• Responsible for ensuring that knowledge management mechanisms are established to enable Plan to build on the wealth of programme experiences and improve the overall quality of ECCD programmes.
• Monitoring and evaluation systems and programme quality standards are agreed and in place in every office.
• Lessons learned, best practices and models are shared within the organisation and among other regional stakeholders in the region.
• Documentation of the above is accessible and disseminated internally and externally through user-friendly and user-oriented channels.
• Plan is known as a key player in ECCD.
• Key actors are identified.
• Partnerships with the key actors are established and/or strengthened.
• Plan’s representation is ensured in important national and international forums; the knowledge management mechanisms are utilised to enhance representation and networking.
• Key interventions are identified, packaged and represented to different audiences.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Knowledge

• Proven knowledge of latest debates, issues, research and practice in ECCD programming and programme implementation in a range of contexts
• Senior professional qualification on ECCD and/or related area
• Up-to-date and various project design and evaluation models
• Knowledge of the Asian context desirable with relevant field experience

Skills

• Demonstrated managerial or senior level technical advisory expertise in the design, implementation and evaluation in ECCD
• Experience in the development of workable guidelines and standards
• Demonstrated facilitation and training experience
• Influencing, representational and advocacy skills
• Excellent communication skills operating at a distance and across a wide variation in cultures

Attitudes

• Self motivated
• Culturally sensitive
• Flexible, adaptive while maintaining the big picture
• Inclusive of others: gender sensitivity and inclusion of those with special needs is central to effective ECCD

LANGUAGES

• Excellent written and spoken English required

References and background checks will be carried out in conformity with Plan’s Child Protection Policy.

Plan operates an equal opportunity policy which recognises the value of a diverse workforce.