Early Childhood Development (ECD) Specialist, P-4, Programme Division, New York Headquarters, USA, #63815

In close collaboration with relevant sectors, the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Specialist is responsible to coordinate the design, development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of ECD programmes. He/she is also responsible for the provision of timely and effective advocacy and technical support to national counterparts for the design, implementation and monitoring of ECD policies promoting the rights of the younger children as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/framework and UN intergovernmental bodies.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, a geographically mobile & diverse workforce

The Early Childhood Development (ECD) Specialist reports to the Chief of Section for general guidance and direction. In close collaboration with relevant sectors, the ECD Specialist is responsible to coordinate the design, development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of ECD programmes.

The ECD Specialist is also responsible for the provision of timely and effective advocacy and technical support to national counterparts for the design, implementation and monitoring of ECD policies promoting the rights of the younger children as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/framework and UN intergovernmental bodies.

The ECD Specialist contributes to achievement of concrete and sustainable programmes/projects results on ECD related programmes/projects according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF's Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

How can you make a difference?

1. Technical leadership in ECD programming
■ Participate and/or conduct/update situation analysis and assessments on ECD related issues to establish evidence-based data to support holistic policy and programme development and coordinated planning, implementation and monitoring of results on early childhood development programmes/projects within country programme.
■ Keep abreast of national/regional/international development priorities to identify opportunities where ECD can enhance inter-sector partnership, integration and linkages.
■ Participate in country office (CO) programme planning to determine strategic areas for ECD integration/intervention. Contribute to the formulation, design and preparation of the Country Programme to ensure integration of ECD in a holistic manner across programme areas and to ensure alignment of ECD programmes with UNICEF's Strategic Plans and coherence/integration with UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establish specific goals, objectives and strategies and implementation plans for the ECD programmes/projects using on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations on ECD related issues for programme review and approval.
• Promote and provide technical expertise to major monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess ECD progress and to engage stakeholders to take required action/interventions to achieve results
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies and to determine national priorities/competencies to promote inter-sector partnerships and holistic approach to ECD.
■ Provide authoritative technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure ECD integration, coherence and harmonization with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

2. Strategic management, monitoring and delivery of results on ECD programmes
• Plan and/or collaborate with monitoring and evaluation initiatives to establish benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators, to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results on ECD programmes/projects. • Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in programme and management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals. ■ Monitor ECD programmes/projects to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for
timely resolution. • Plan, monitor and control the use of ECD programme resources (financial, human, administrative and other assets) certifying/verifying compliance with organizational rules, regulations and procedures, donor commitments and standards of accountability and integrity. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources. • Submit/prepare ECD programme/project reports to donors and other partners to keep them informed on programme progress and critical issues.

3. Advisory services, quality oversight and technical support
■ Provide technical advice and/or written guidance to key government officials, NGO, UN system and other country office partners on policies, strategies, best practices and approaches on ECD issues to support programme development planning, implementation and delivery of results. ■ Participate in strategic discussions, meetings and other international/national meetings and workshops to provide ECD evidence based papers and inputs to influence policy and agenda setting on ECD. ■ Prepare ECD policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and consideration in development discussion and planning.

4. Advocacy, networking and partnership building
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy with local/national governments, UN system agency partners, donors, internationally recognized institutions, NGOs, funding organizations, research institutes, universities, private sector and communities to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities to promote goals and achieve sustainable and broad results on ECD.
• Prepare communication strategies and implementation plans and activities for ECD initiatives for maximum communication impact and outreach to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and promote increased investments in ECD interventions.
■ Participate and/or represent UNICEF in inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on early childhood development to ensure organizational position, interests and priorities on early childhood development are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF development planning and agenda setting process. Collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues the UNDAF planning and preparation of programmes/projects including emergency preparedness.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
■ Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices for ECD programmes/projects initiatives through advocacy and technical advisory services. • Keep abreast, research, benchmark, introduce and implement best and cutting edge practices on ECD. Institutionalize and disseminate best practices and knowledge learned to support development planning and implementation. • Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects. • Organize/plan/implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of a wide range of internal and external partners/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on ECD programmes/projects.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

A Master's Degree in education, public administration/health, economics, psychology, sociology or other social science field is required.

A minimum of eight (8) years of professional experience in social planning and management in early childhood development and related areas at the international level, some of which preferably were served in a developing country is required.

Relevant experience in education and related areas, programme/project development and management in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.

Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty,

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.