ThaiNGO

- Save the Children International is looking for a First Read ECCD Project Coordinator

JOB TITLE:  First Read ECCD Project Coordinator

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Program Quality and Development, Education.   LOCATION: Based in Pattani with frequent travel to project locations in the region.

Type of Contract: 1 year (Possible 2 years of extension)

CHILD SAFEGUARDING: (select only one)

Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people

BACKGROUND AND ROLE PURPOSE:

Save the Children will be implementing a new three year project in the Southern most provinces of Thailand to support children’s early development  through improved parent support and access to books.  Specifically targeting Pattani Malay children aged 3-6, the project will adapt and test the Save the Children First Read model to improve early reading and numeracy skills as well as school readiness. The project will train parents how to support their children’s development in their mother tongue, while also aiming to increase access to high quality children’s books in mother tongue.  The learning and evidence generated by the project aims to inform the scale-up of the program in Thailand and in other countries where Save the Children works.

The project coordinator will have overall responsibility for the planning, implementation and monitoring of the project. The coordinator will lead on the design and management of the project, capacity building for staff and partners, and on the research and learning component. The successful candidate will have strong experience and expertise in Early Childhood Care and Development, as well as in managing projects with vulnerable communities.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Directly reports to Senior Programme Implementation Manager

                  Monthly technical reporting and guidance from Senior Education Specialist

Staff reporting to this post: First Read Project Officer

Budget Responsibilities:  Budget holder for First Read Project

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Program Implementation and Support:

- Provide overall leadership on the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the First Read (FR) project in accordance with project design and plans as agreed with Senior Education Specialist.

- Manage the project team and implementing/research partners.

- Develop and implement the project training and capacity building plans and manuals according to agreements with the Senior Education Specialist

- Provide ongoing technical and managerial support to the FR project team and partners

- Plan and lead the First Read learning strategy and activities

- Plan, coordinate and support the book development component of the project in collaboration with project partners and Save the Children technical advisors

- Plan, coordinate and support the research component of the project in collaboration with project partners and Save the Children technical advisors

- Develop budget plans, monitoring spending, and plan budget adjustments accordingly

- Plan and lead the coordination and advocacy activities with local and national government as agreed with the senior education specialist and advocacy coordinator

- Support the dissemination of the project and its lessons learnt internally and externally

- Ensure effective communication between the First Read project and other education programmes within Save the Children Thailand and with First Read projects in other countries as required

- Ensure that the First Read project is implemented in line with SC established standards and guidelines

- Ensure that the activities meet the technical standards and specifications as agreed with the Senior Education Specialist

- Ensure effective communication and networking developed and maintained through partnership and collaboration with all stakeholders

- Enhance or contribute to project efficiency and effectiveness through implementation follow-up activities with implementing partners, including monitoring inputs, local conditions and resources

- Ensure or contribute to the appropriateness of financial, administrative and supply documentation. Follow up on queries, including with and by partners, or initiate corrective action on discrepancies

Staff management:

- Provide direct technical support and daily management to First Read Officer

- Provide direction, support and capacity-building to the project partners

- Provide strategic direction to project staff and partners in line with Save the Children’s education strategy

- Conduct regular planning and coordination meetings with the project team, Implementation and research partners

- Coordinate with the Education Senior Specialist to provide timely and effective responses to First Read program challenges reported by staff

Planning, reporting, monitoring and learning:

- Collate and write required implementation plans for timely submission to Education Senior Specialist and program manager

- Monitor and evaluate the First Read program activities in line with the internal M&E plan and in coordination with FR officer and partners

- Working with the MEAL team, lead on developing and implementing the learning plan activities and ensuring that the necessary data is collected and analyzed

- Ensure timely and quality reporting of First Read activities to program manager, senior education specialist, and donor in line with internal requirements.

- Attend meetings with Senior Education Specialist to update progress of project and receive guidance on technical aspects, at least once per month

- Develop financial reports in coordination with SC finance staff.

- Other duties as assigned and according to the demands of the program

Collaboration and Representation:

- Represent Save the Children in a professional manner

- Support dissemination and learning events and dialogues (blogs, community of practice) with other FR programs in Save the Children both online and in person as required

- Liaise with other stakeholders, including schools, local leaders, partners and participate in relevant meetings

- Collaboration with other team members across to ensure synergies and consistency in our programming approaches

- Represent program with local government, NGOs, communities and within SC as appropriate

General:

- Comply with Save the Children policies and practice with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.

- Perform other duties as required by supervisor

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (SCI Values in Practice)

Accountability:

- Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values

- Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

- Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same

- Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others

- Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

- Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters

- Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength

- Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

- Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions

- Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

- Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS 

Essential:

- Thai nationality

- University degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas:  Education, Social Sciences, or a field(s) relevant to education and international development assistance

- Minimum 3-4 years of professional work experience at national and international level relevant Education or Early Childhood Care and Development programmes (ideally including literacy and language development)

- Demonstrated strong project management skills

- Experience delivering high quality training programs related to education or ECCD

- Fluency in Thai required

- Strong verbal and written English skills required

- Strong interpersonal skills the ability to work collaboratively with others

- Strong report writing skills.

- Good computer skills (MS Office, Outlook etc)

Desirable:

- Fluency in Pattani Malay desirable

- Experience and expertise in emergent literacy and language development highly desirable

- Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is desirable.

- Experience in delivering effective parent training programs is desirable

- Background in Emergency programme is an asset.

- Experience working in an international development organization is an asset.

Equal Opportunities

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the Save the Children Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Save the Children offers competitive remuneration package.

Deadline for submission of application is on 15 March 2016

To apply, please send your application and CV to HR & Admin Manager at email address: jaem.prachoommark@savethechildren.org

Please indicate in the subject as “Apply for a First Read ECCD Project Coordinator._(Name of candidate)”

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

“We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.”