Early Childhood Development Coordinator

John Snow, Inc.
Supporting an AIDS-Free Era

Position Description

Background

John Snow, Inc. (JSI) seeks highly qualified and accomplished public health leaders and providers for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/PEPFAR-funded Supporting an AIDS-Free Era (SAFE) Project in Zambia. The five-year project led by JSI in partnership with Abt Associates and mothers2mothers works to reduce HIV mortality, morbidity and transmission, while improving nutrition outcomes and family planning integration in three provinces: Central, Copperbelt, and North-Western. USAID/PEPFAR SAFE works with the GRZ, private sector and civil society institutions at the national, provincial, and district level to increase access to ART for HIV positive adults and children, reduce the incidence of new infections, improve Nutritional Assessment, Counseling and Services (NACS), family planning and cervical cancer screening services, and increase the capacity of local health institutions to better serve affected populations.

USAID SAFE also works with the Ministry of Health to integrate Early Childhood Development (ECD) services into the HIV program at selected supported facilities through structures that recognize the significant opportunities related to ECD in the areas of social protection, health, nutrition and education with roles for many ministries within the Zambian Government as well as cooperating partners and civil society. SAFE plans to invest in high impact, sustainable interventions that are closely linked to current priorities in HIV, maternal, child health, nutrition and education. Priority outcomes for ECD programming and these include; decreased loss to HIV treatment, follow-up and improved outcomes for children affected by or living with HIV, reduction of stunting, increased immunization rates and improved child health outcomes and improved preparedness for early grade reading.

The project now seeks the services of a highly qualified and motivated Zambian to fill the position of Early Childhood Coordinator to be based in Kabwe, Central Province.

Position Title: Early Childhood Development Coordinator
Position Type: Consultancy (6 Months)
Location: Kabwe, Central Province

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

• The ECD coordinators will support the work of Early Childhood Development (ECD) within the project at provincial, district and facility levels
• Provide technical and organizational support and oversee the contextualization and implementation of ECD
• Liaise and work closely with health structures, stakeholders and community members, and carry out day to-day coordination of respective project interventions and activities, including supervision and monitoring of efforts of assigned program support staff and service providers for accomplishing program deliverables in compliance with ECD program/ project work-plan and budget
• Participate in the facilitation of trainings for caregivers, volunteers and health staff in child development, pediatric HIV, developmental milestones, and developmental assessment.
• Ensure day to day operations of the ECD program are in line with scope of work
• Work closely with the provincial, district and facility staff to ensure cooperation and continuous communication
• Work closely with the MCH staff and mentor mothers to ensure that ECD services are effectively implemented at facility level

Desirable Qualifications and Competencies:

• Qualified Nurse, Teacher, Social Worker or ECD specialist with a Bachelor degree in Social Sciences, Education, Psychology, Human Development, Social Work
• Master degree is preferred.
• Three years’ experience in managing and/or technically supporting early childhood development, and education programs.
• Practical and demonstrated experience in facilitation and participation in ECD training
• Strong background in working with children 0-5, both HIV infected and non-infected children
• Demonstrated track record in working with teams, showing high performance with demonstrated flexibility, and ability to handle pressure;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with strong organizational and planning skills
• Strong interpersonal training and mentoring skills
• Ability to undertake field visits for monitoring and mentorship site visits
• Ability to work both independently, and as member of diverse task teams.

Mode of Application:

Please send a written application either via email or through regular mail. Your application should consist of a cover letter and a detailed CV, including full addresses and contact telephone numbers. Please indicate the position you are applying for in your cover letter and also give names, addresses and contact telephone numbers of three referees.

Closing Date: 22 December, 2020