International Position in Early Childhood

 I will highlight three options for those seeking leadership positions related to early childhood services in an international forum. These positions are appealing because they allows the selected candidate to benefit from the training and international experiences of the Goodstart, UNESCO, or UNICEF teams.

 

 

In Australia, early child services are the largest growing industry. The Queensland Government has implemented Universal access to Kindergarten in a long day care setting. National and state reform of early childhood education and attention has increased the demand for a skilled workforce of educators and Teachers (The State of Queensland; Department of Education, Training and Employment, 2014). Those working with children or vulnerable sector must hold a blue card or exemption prior to being eligible for employment.  

The Goodstart Institute of Early Learning is a Registered Training Organisation offering recognised qualifications in early childhood education and care. Key responsibilities for this position include reporting to the Deputy Director - Professional Learning. Candidates will work autonomously and be responsible for planning, preparation and delivery of training programmes, including development of lesson plans and training resources (The State of Queensland; Department of Education, Training and Employment, 2014).

The State of Queensland; Department of Education, Training and Employment (2014) has this posting  the following areas of service delivery:

* To coach, mentor and support Professional Learning Consultants through exemplary early childhood leadership, in the establishment of respectful relationships with students;

* Supporting the management and coordination of Professional Learning Consultants particularly in relation to professional learning and assessment strategies;

* To advocate the importance of inclusive pedagogical practices that embrace the viewpoints, life worlds and lived experiences of all key internal and external stakeholders; and

* Delivering training and assessment as per Goodstart College of Early Learning, Learning and Assessment Strategies, using fair and equitable practices. The accurate and timely production of educational resources and marking of assessment that support College student’s learning and evaluation.

 UNESCO, a specialized agency of the United Nations, has been pursuing a mission of dialogue and cooperation since it was founded in 1945. It covers four major fields: education, science, culture and communication. Its aim is to build peace in the world through knowledge, social progress, exchange and mutual understanding among peoples.

UNESCO works to improve education worldwide believing it to be the key to social and economic development. There is an employment position posting at UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2015). The Education Sector helps to build a sustainable world with just societies that value knowledge, promote peace, celebrate diversity and defend human rights, achieved by providing Education for All (EFA). It fosters partnerships to strengthen countries’ capacity to offer quality education for all. The Education Sector monitors progress by publishing an annual Global Monitoring Report tracking the international community’s progress towards the six “Education For All” goals.

https://en.UNESCO.org/careers/professional

The qualified candidate must be bilingual or multilingual in addition to possessing an advanced university degree in education, culture, science, social and human sciences, communication, business administration or a related field (UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 2015).

* Junior level (P1/P2 or NOA/NOB): 2 to 4 years of experience;

*  Middle level (P3/P4 or NOC/NOD): 4 to 10 years of experience;

*  Senior level (P5 and above or NOE): 10 to 15 years of experience (including management experience).

 
 

UNICEF ( 2015), the world’s leading organization working for the rights of children.  There is the need for a consultant to support the 11th Pacific Ministers of Health Meeting session on the strategic review of progress and directions of the Healthy Islands’ vision with a particular focus on the nurturing children in body and mind and MDGs 4, 5 and 6. The consultant is also required to support the development of country specific post-2015 maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) frameworks for the Pacific Islands national planning processes.

In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply (UNICEF, 2015).

To gain a leadership position with UNICEF candidates may need to demonstrate capacity, working at a variety of different roles prior to being offered a higher level position such as:

According to UNICEF (2015), Consultancy Assignment: Strategic Planning consultant in Suva, FIJI. To qualify for this position requirement include:

*  Advanced university degree in Public Health/Allied Health, Social Sciences, Management or related field

*  At least eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience in Public Health programming or Health Planning

* Good technical knowledge of Nutrition Health Planning processes, knowledge on global and regional planning processes will be added advantage

*  Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and analyze data

*  Excellent command of the English language, with outstanding oral and written communication skills. 

 References

LinkMeJobs (n.d.). Snr Prof Learning Consultant Job.  Retrieved from  https://www.linkme.com.au/jobs/port-melbourne-qld/education-training/snr-prof-learning-consultant-job/4f85954c-e633-48eb-a002-ee1ced82b185

Teacher Training.  Retrieved February 13. 2104 from http://londres.cervantes.es/en/courses_spanish/teachers_spanish/teachers_spanish.htm

The State of Queensland; Department of Education, Training and Employment. (2014)  Work Force.   Retrieved from http://deta.qld.gov.au/earlychildhood/workforce/

The State of Queensland; Department of Education, Training and Employment. (2014)  Blue Card.  Retrieved from http://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au/business/doineedabluecard.html

The State of Queensland; Department of Education, Training and Employment. (2014)  Blue Card.  Retrieved from http://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au/business/doineedabluecard.html

UNESCA Symbol. Retrieved February 12, 0215 from http://www.unescocenterforpeace.org/partners/

UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2015). UNESCO CAREERS .  Retrieved from https://en.unesco.org/careers/professional

UNICEF Child .  Retrieved February 13, 2015 from

 UNICEF ( 2015).  UNICEF Employment.  Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/search/search.php?q_en=job+postings&go.x=8&go.y=10