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/