Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

UNICEF which stands for United Nation Children Fund, it is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. We have the global authority to influence decision-makers, and the variety of partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality.  That makes us unique among world organizations, and unique among those working with the young (UNICEF, (2011).

What interest me the most about UNICEF was the passion they have for children who overcoming the obstacles of poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path (UNICEF, (2011); which resonates with my passion.

This organization stands firm on supporting the well-being of children. They believe that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstone of human progress.

Job opportunities: Deputy Coordinator for the Gender-Based Violence Area of Responsibility, P-4, Geneva, Switzerland.

• Advanced University Degree or equivalent in gender studies, social anthropology, law and women’s rights, sociology, cultural studies, public health, demography, socio-economics, or other field directly related to the substantive area identified in the title of the post.
• At least eight (8) years of relevant experience in humanitarian affairs, ideally with the United Nations system or NGOs. Experience in humanitarian response/recovery preferred. 
• Demonstrated work experience in GBV in humanitarian settings;
• Knowledge of IASC Transformative Agenda and the cluster approach. 
• Knowledge of the UN and UNICEF’s system's policies and procedures, including humanitarian response mechanisms.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

With my experiences, volunteer work, and degree in Criminal justice and Bachelor’s in Human services with minor in counseling; would fit well for this job position. I have worked with women and children for over fifteen years in providing them with assistance when needed; therefore, with this experiences will help me to better assist families in this position.

Step By Step Association (ISSA) is an International Association that I thought would be interesting to learn about. Because of the many national organizations that offers information about early educational programs; I had yet to hear about the Step By Step organization. The program was started in 1999 in Netherlands. ISSA offers general membership and information-sharing to all interested individuals and organizations, (ISSA, 2011).

ISSA's mission is to support professional communities and develop a strong civil society that influences and assists decision makers to:

• provide high quality care and educational services for all children from birth through primary school (birth through 10 years old), with a focus on the poorest and most disadvantaged
• ensure greater inclusion of family and community participation in children's development and learning
• ensure social inclusion and respect for diversity (ISSA, 2011).

I did not see any career posting on their website, but I did obtain information as to how to become a member, and this would be something that I’m interested in.

Because my I have the experiences and skills to work with children in the early childhood programs, I thought connecting with this organization would be beneficial for me to gather new information to help build better programs in the United States.

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. Recognized for our commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration, where we help children and families help themselves (Save the Children, (2011).  

Mission: Save the Children’s 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).

Job Opportunities Save the Children had a total of 43 positions available on their website; unfortunately, the positions that I was interested in, I were unable to access any of the careers available. Because Save the Children is an organization that’s been around for many years and have such a great reputation with helping to change the lives of children all around the world and in different parts of the country; I would be honored to be a part of such a great organization. It is organization as such that inspires me to build my Community of Practice based around their values, and one is accountability. I want children and families that are suffering poverty to be able to count on myself and team to provide them with the resources needed to help better their lives.        

Resources

International Step By Step Association. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.issa.nl/index.html

Save the Children. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.unicef.org/