Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally…..(Week 6)

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to save and improve children’s lives, providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The UNICEF focus is to build a world where the rights of every child are realized. (UNICEF, n.d.). 

Rationale: The UNICEF appealed to me because it focuses on assuring equality for children. For instance promoting girls’ education, the UNICEF ensures they complete their primary education as a minimum. For girls and boys to complete their education, they grow up to be cognitively prepared adults. Also, the UNICEF focus on healthy development of children. For example, the UNICEF along with partners provide mothers and children with quality health care.  Through providing resources, the UNICEF are fighting illness and saving lives.  The UNICEF ultimate goal is to make a positive impact on the children.

Job Opportunity

Community Fundraising Coordinator (Part-Time)

Description

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF (USF) supports UNICEF’s work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when ZERO children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, please visit unicefusa.org. Community Fundraising Coordinator (Part-Time) Reporting jointly to the Vice President, Community Fundraising and the Assistant Director, UNICEF’s Next Generation (Next Gen), the Community Fundraising Coordinator contributes to the USF mission and fulfillment of the team by assisting in all matters of donor engagement and fundraising, including, but not limited to: Key Responsibilities/Outcomes (include but are not limited to): Performing support responsibilities for the Vice President, Community Fundraising, including calendar coordination, travel arrangements and other necessary supports. Communicating on behalf of the Vice President, Community Fundraising with internal and external constituencies to move departmental and divisional projects forward. Acting as first point of contact for young professionals interested in Next Gen; managing initial conversations with Next Gen prospects. Supporting Next Gen activities including: committee meetings, events and receptions, and pledge donation program.  Includes preparation of materials, maintaining RSVP lists, drafting and tracking email correspondences, and coordinating event logistics, among other responsibilities. Managing the Next Gen website so it provides timely information. Managing the Next Gen database (PIDI), by ensuring that all members are coded properly and contact information is up-to-date. Partnering with the Finance team to create and run accurate reports on revenue and membership for Community Fundraising and Next Gen initiatives. Ensuring that all gifts are acknowledged properly. Includes drafting letters and guiding accurate and timely communications. Serving as a liaison with other USF departments and offices.  Assisting with other administrative tasks and special projects as needed. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of two years related experience with direct donor/constituent contact, event planning, or other relevant employment. Excellent interpersonal, communication (written and verbal), organizational and administrative skills.  Ability and enthusiasm to communicate USF’s mission.  Must be proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.  Should be well organized and relate easily to individuals of diverse backgrounds and demographics.  Must be able to balance multiple tasks and adapt to changing priorities. Must demonstrate USF Core Values: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Innovation, Teamwork, and Service   Must possess current and valid US Work Authorization and be eligible to work for any US employer without sponsorship. Due to the high volume of applications received, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The U. S. Fund for UNICEF is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce   SAVE OUR CHILDREN Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in 120 countries, including the United States. The goal of Save the Children is 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 (Save the Children, 2011).        Rationale: There is a lack of quality education around the world. Save the Children is able to provide training for teachers, coaching to parents and caregivers, and provide learning activities to children. Save the Children is such a large organization, they have the power to impact substantial number of families, teachers, government officials and the community.   Job Opportunity Summary Early Steps to School Success provides early childhood education services to pregnant women and children birth to five years of age, education services to their parents, and ongoing staff training to the community early childhood educators.  The program goals are: 1) children will enter school with the skills necessary for school success, 2) parents will have the knowledge and skills to support their children’s education, 3) home/school connections will be strong and 4) early childhood knowledge and skills in communities will be significantly increased. The Early Steps Coordinator provides Social/emotional development, language development and pre-literacy education activities for children and parents through regularly scheduled home visits.  Parent/child support and education groups in schools and community settings Screening and referral for children at risk for developmental delay or health care issues. “Transition to school” activities that connect parents and children to the preschool or kindergarten they will attend. A book exchange literacy program for enrolled children and parents. Books are available for children from birth to five years of age.   As a front line representative of Save the Children the position holder is required to ensure the safety and protection of children and families that he/she come in contact with and represent the agency values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.  Responsibilities Recruit families for the program Develop and schedule program activities, including home visiting, parent/child groups, toddler playgroups, transition to school activities and other programmatic activities Organize and conduct regular parent/child groups in the elementary school when possible Conduct child screenings and referrals Coordinate and work with STC staff and partners Training and Technical assistance Participate in the evolution of Early Steps, including data collection   Requirements Knowledge and demonstrated understanding of prenatal and early childhood development, particularly infant/toddler knowledge Demonstrated ability to develop safe and trusting relationships with families Knowledge and demonstrated understanding of diverse family structures and influences that support positive developmental outcomes for young children Demonstrated ability to establish positive working relationships with school personnel, community partners, funders and others that are potentially involved with the program Familiarity with screening, assessment and evaluation tools typical for home visiting programs Strong organizational skills Highly motivated, flexible and non-judgmental individual who is eager to learn Must be from the community with knowledge of the community Energetic, motivated and creative Able to work independently Available and reliable vehicle for visiting families (mileage reimbursed) Competency with computers including previous experience with Windows programming use of the Internet Willingness to travel regionally and nationally for training Willingness to collect data and enter it in a timely manner     International Step by Step Association (ISSA) International Step by Step Association promotes equal access to quality education and care for all children (ISSA, n.d.). The ISSA is an organization that supports professionals working in the early childhood field with resources, training opportunities, and technical assistance. Rationale: This association appealed because it focus on access to quality education for ALL children. Since quality is so essential, access to these programs is critical. I would like to add this association to my COP because it relates to my issue in my community. The ISSA will be able to provide the COP members with their perceptive on quality. For instance, the ISSA has developed Principles of Quality Pedagogy. The ISSA Principles may lead to a solution to the issue.       References: 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 June 10, 2013, from http://www.unicef.org/