Week 6: Blog Assignment: Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

I was particularly drawn into looking at the site of the International Step By Step Association (ISSA) because I would like to know more about it. This is the first time I heard about this association and I am curious about the work they do for the early childhood field. The ISSA was established in 1999 in Netherlands. It is  a membership organization that connects professionals and organizations working in the field of early childhood development and education. It promotes equal access to quality education and care for all children, especially in the early years of their lives. It provides comprehensive set of educational services and advocacy tools to influence family reforms  for families and children focusing on children zero years old to primary school (http://www.issa.nl/index.html).

Job opportunities available  were Finance Manager, Office Coordinator,  Program Manager  and Senior Program Manager. I am more interested with Senior Program Manager. The Senior Program Manager works closely with the Program Director in coordinating the development and implementation of the ISSA programs. He or she supervises implementation of ISSA’s programmatic activities and ensures high quality performance of the organization. The Senior Program Manager holds management responsibilities and reports to the Program Director.

Qualifications needed for this job: You should have a Master's Degree or equivalent academic qualification in a related field or Doctoral Degree is an advantage, knowledgeable in the field of early childhood education  and ISSA's profile and programs is an advantage and should have good understanding of young children and families in Central Eastern Europe (CEE)/Central East Asia (CIS).

Another organization that caught my attention is the UNICEF . It is an organization that advocates for the rights of the children, influencing decision-makers and the variety of grass roots levels to turn the most innovative ideas into reality. They are part of the Global Movement for Children - a broad coalition dedicated to improving the lives of children, encouraging young children to speak and participate in the decisions that affects their lives

There is temporary appointment for Education Specialist- Peace Building and Emergency Preparedness for UNICEF Office in South Asia available for those people who are passionate and committed to making a difference in our children's lives. Working to advocate for the rights of the children all around the world. Qualification for the job includes strong management skills and ability to conceptualize and negotiate for issues relating to human and social development , ability to communicate- speak and write in English language and experience in experience in Social Cohesion is an advantage.

 I am particularly interested in this kind of job because I would like to be a part of an International Organization that is looking after countries around the world particularly in Asia because I would like to go back to the country where I grew up and help reform their early childhood policies or advocate for the rights of the families especially their children.  

The only concern I have with these job opportunities  is being assigned abroad. The ISSA is situated in Netherlands while the UNICEF is in South Asia. If I will be assigned to the Philippines where I grew up, it would be much easier because I can work as the coordinator or translator. It will help get the accurate information and sending the message to families and children would be easier. I am not closing my options about moving abroad, given the opportunity to bring my family with me, then I will take any opportunities that offers working for the benefit of children and families.

Reference:

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

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

                                                      

 

 

 

WEEK 4: Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

Children's Defense Funds, Commander, Naval Installation Command(CNIC) particularly The Fleet and Family Readiness and National Military Organization were the three organizations or community of practice that appealed to me. I chose these organization because they advocate for the rights of the families especially the rights of children.

The Children's Defense Funds which expresses deep concern about the number of children growing in poverty, poor health, housing, poor education and family and community disintegration. I would like to be a part of the committee that works directly with families and children, probably a liaison, program field coordinator or become a child advocate lobbying for children's rights. Promote legislation related to child care, quality care and education for every child, inclusion program for children with special abilities, housing and health care and employment opportunities for families stricken by poverty.

I also chose CNIC particularly the Fleet and Family readiness because this community of practice is directly involve with military families. They support both active and inactive military soldiers, single or dual military, retired, veterans providing education, training programs, readiness programs, housing, child care, recreational programs and counseling. I would like to become a Military Family Life Consultant (MFLC). The MFLC program augments existing military support programs by providing short-term, problem-solving, non-medical counseling to service members and their families(MHN Government Services, 2012). Specially trained on military-specific topics, MFLCs provide education and information on a variety of issues that warriors and their families may face throughout the deployment cycle (http://www.realwarriors.net). I would like to be a counselor, helping families and children develop an action plan addressing their problems or behaviors on issues that occurs within the family lifestyle. These includes: common stress reactions to deployment, relocation, separation, loss or grief, resiliency and other emotional or behavioral concerns which are common to military families and children to experience.
In the previous blogs we have, I mentioned about  serving military families whether it is a paying or non-paying job. I would like to be a volunteer at the National Family Organization which supports military families and children by providing support system, scholarship grants to military spouse, counseling, recreational program such as the Operation Purple and sending troops support letters and food and items from home to show our appreciation for all the sacrifices they do in order to enjoy the freedom we have at home.  
These jobs mostly require an experience working with families and children, a background in social work or psychology. Working in a military facilities or program a veteran or military spouse preference is always the priority and if you are already within the organization. You should also have a Master's degree or Doctorate degree in the field of Psychology, Social Work , Early Childhood Education or any related field that deals with human relations. Volunteer work for National Military Family is open to anyone who is willing to support or give donations and time for the organization. Some of the jobs do not specify the background clearance but I believe that jobs or employment working with families and children should be required whether it is a paying or non-paying job for the safety and security of families and children.
Reference:
http://www.militaryfamily.org/our-programs/
(http://www.realwarriors.net).