Program Support Specialist II
Overview
This intermediate specialist consults on, develops and implements holistic child development programs and interventions. The specialist generally provides highly competent knowledge in one or more holistic development subspecialties in this field and is helpful in others. At this career level, the incumbent supports the local program design, performing independently on moderately complex issues. He or she may coach other specialists.
The Program Support Specialist for Survival and Early Childhood will have a strong understanding of the current knowledge-base and trends in global and national maternal and early childhood health and education. Practically, he/she will have the ability to navigate and recommend local solutions to the unique and complex challenges in his/her country related to the holistic development needs of pregnant mothers and children.
- The Program Support Specialist – Survival and Early Childhood role designs, contextualizes and supports holistic development programming for pregnant mothers, caregivers, infants and children through the age of 5. The main areas of focus for this role are:
- Strategic & Operational Planning
- Age-appropriate Program Design & Delivery
- Consultation & Support
- Monitoring & Evaluation for Programmatic Innovation & Improvement
- Essential Job Functions
Maintains a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Is a consistent witness for Jesus Christ, maintains a courteous, Christ-like attitude in dealing with people within and outside of Compassion, and faithfully upholds Compassion’s ministry in prayer.
Acts as an advocate for children – raising the awareness of the needs, neglect, nurture, and potential of children in poverty and challenging and enabling those within one’s influence to greater involvement and effectiveness on behalf of children.
Strategic & Operational Planning
The Program Support Specialist for Survival and Early Childhood will serve as a SME to Country leadership as they develop multi-year, rolling strategic growth plans for Survival funding (in conjunction with Partnership Growth and CIV Strategies).
- He/she will work closely with PFs to plan for the expansion of home-based sponsorship programming as appropriate.
- Age-appropriate Program Design & Delivery
- In order to provide subject matter expertise to staff and ICPs, the Specialist will:
- Assess the availability and accessibility of existing development opportunities for caregivers and children through age 5.
- Collaborate with PFs to recommend age-appropriate curriculum and programming for all existing and new ICP’s local context.
- Focus on equipping ICPs to understand CDPR measures for the 1-2 and 3-5 age-groups and how assessments for this age group are best performed.
- Be proficient in the relevant core and supplemental curriculum for caregivers and children through age 5.
- Assist PFs and ICPs to use Survival and Child Support funds strategically for caregivers and children through age 5.
This role will collaborate closely with fellow Support Specialists in Health, Resource Mobilization, and Child Development to create comprehensive strategies and solutions to the multi-faceted issues facing mothers, babies and young children.
In addition, the Specialist will provide ongoing subject matter expertise to Program Trainers and Partnership Facilitators in order to ensure that Implementing Church Partners are adequately informed and equipped to provide holistic development to caregivers and their children.
Lastly, the Specialist will consult with the Partner Preparation Specialists and Partnership Facilitators to identify candidates for Survival Launch Interventions, Sponsorship Launch Interventions and any Church Planting Initiatives with home-based programming.
Monitoring & Evaluation for Programmatic Innovation & Improvement
The Program Support Specialist – Survival and Early Childhood Development regularly monitors operational, health and other beneficiary data in order to identify good practices and areas for improvement. Based on these findings, he/she will recommend appropriate follow-up such as coaching, training, adjustments to program design, or ways to pilot or innovate in order to improve programming for pregnant mothers, caregivers and young beneficiaries.
Qualifications
Faith
Has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Culture
Accountable for supporting, upholding, and engaging in Compassion’s core “Cultural Behaviors” in all internal and external communication and relationships.
Education
University degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Public Health, Pediatric Health, Social Work or other related field. Advanced coursework preferred.
Skills & Competencies
- Ability to think strategically, create detailed plans and execute efficiently.
- Ability to design, implement and evaluate survival and/or early childhood programs.
- Ability to support, train and coach program generalists in survival and early childhood programming implementation.
- Ability to make recommendations on program delivery and influence peers.
- Understanding of the importance of good quality monitoring data in an overall Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) framework.
- Ability to assess multiple data sources/information and make and communicate decisions.
- Ability to coordinate and facilitate discussions across multiple working groups and departments.
- Ability to work collaboratively with cultural sensitivity and high emotional intelligence.
- Ability to network with other ministries and organizations.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Work Experience
Three years Experience working in this or similar position or field.
*** Equivalent education, training and/or certification may be substituted for experience and education shown above ***
Working Environment: Office – Standard Office Environment
Physical Demands: Sitting, standing, and/or walking for up to 8 hours per day
Travel Requirements: May be required to travel up to 10% of normal schedule
