PATH is an international non-profit organization that transforms global health through innovation. We take an entrepreneurial approach to developing and delivering high-impact, low-cost solutions, from lifesaving vaccines and devices to collaborative programs with communities. Through our work in more than 70 countries, PATH and our partners empower people to achieve their full potential.
PATH is committed to improving child health and development focusing on interventions during pregnancy, labor and the postnatal period as well as for children, especially in the first 2 years of life. In support of this goal, PATH seeks to hire Regional Early Child Health and Development Specialist to guide PATH’s programming around integration of early childhood development into maternal and child health and HIV/AIDS programs. The ECD Specialist will provide strategic support to PATH globally in the early childhood care and development (ECCD) arena and specific project-support for two integrated early childhood development projects spanning Kenya, Mozambique, and South Africa.
The Regional Early Child Health and Development Specialist (Specialist) will be a member of the Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Program team at PATH and will work with the Global Program Leader in setting PATH’s overall ECCD strategic direction. The Specialist will also work with the Project Directors / Managers of the Window of Opportunity and Integrated-ECD projects to shape the strategies and activities for those programs. In addition, the Specialist will work in close partnership with the APHIAplus team in Kenya.
The Specialist will provide overall programmatic guidance and support to integrated ECD projects in Kenya, Mozambique, and South Africa. This will include providing assessment, design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation guidance related to the integration of ECD into OVC, HIV/AIDS, and maternal child health and nutrition programs and services.
Duties
- Assist in conceptualizing and designing ECD strategies and specific interventions to be implemented by health workers, relevant public sector personnel and CBOs at the community, sub-district and district level
- Ensure that PATH projects provide high quality technical assistance and support quality implementation of integrated ECD activities into health facilities and PATH-supported CBO sub-grantee programs
- Provide ECD technical assistance, and capacity building support to PATH Child Health and Development staff in South Africa, Kenya and Mozambique
- Build the capacity of CBOs, health workers and staff from across government ministries to provide high-quality, integrated ECCD services
- Develop and adapt program materials related to ECCD, including but not limited to training packages, job aids, and assessment tools
- Assist in CBO partner selection in each country by contributing to the technical components of request for proposals and reviewing NGO and CBO proposals for technical merit
- Work closely with project team members in Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, and the United States in developing program strategies, project plans, and project monitoring and evaluation activities
- Represent PATH in national, regional and international ECCD technical fora, disseminating PATH program experiences, advocating for proven effective PATH ECCD models and approaches and sharing key learnings and best practices
- Identify new program opportunities and contribute to the design and development of new PATH ECCD-related programs
- Other duties as appropriate
Requisites
- Experience with program design, monitoring and evaluation, training/capacity building and behavior change communication.
- Strong facilitation and training skills
- Experience working with multiple government ministries
- Experience building the capacity of community based organizations
- Ability to develop and adapt program materials related to ECCD, including training packages, curriculum guides, job aides, and assessment tools among others.
- Fluency in English (knowledge of Portuguese and/or South African indigenous languages preferred)
- Strong interpersonal, cross-cultural, oral, and written communication skills
- Ability to travel to Kenya and Mozambique up to 20%
- Masters Degree in Human Development, Developmental Psychology, Social Work, Public Health (with early childhood focus) or a related field.
- Minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in early childhood development with a deep understanding of holistic development and cultural variation ECD programs and child rearing practices, as well as the implications of maternal care, nutrition, health and gender-based violence on development
- Minimum 5 years of experience with implementing and/or overseeing child development programs in low resource settings, preferably in sub-Saharan Africa
Notes
To be considered for this position candidates must reside in Mozambique currently. International relocation assistance will not be provided.