Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

According to their website, the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) envisions a world in which every child in every nation has access to high-quality education. They promote a global community of early childhood educators and believe that access to high-quality education helps foster healthy development for young children. ACEI believes professional development to be an essential component for educators, and committed early childhood professionals must continue professional growth to ensure their efforts reflect the needs of changing societies (http://acei.org/).  

By working to combine research, experience, and practice, ACEI seeks to spread the word about how to enhance children's skills and abilities by implementing new approaches worldwide. I chose this organization in recognition that effective teaching strategies take place all over the world. In the United States, I think we often become focused on professional development offered locally, and forget to reach out to our colleagues internationally. The ACEI seems to be an excellent resource that could assist in expanding our understanding of successful new approaches being taken worldwide (http://acei.org/).  

UNICEF is an organization focused on ensuring that every child around the world is given their human rights. As an internationally respected organization, they are able to influence policy makers and turn innovative ideas into realities that benefit children. In order to make the world a better place for all, UNICEF believes efforts must be taken to improve living, health, social, and educational conditions for children. By upholding the Convention on the Rights of the Child by being part of the Global Movement for Children, UNICEF works to promote better lives for all (http://www.unicef.org/).

As early childhood professionals in the United States, we often focus our efforts for equity on children in our own communities. Of course home is incredibly important, however it is important to be mindful of the living conditions for those around the world. If we truly are working towards equity for all, we must remain mindful of children around the world. UNICEF can help in those efforts as they are active in 190 countries worldwide (http://www.unicef.org/). 

Save the Children is also an international organization working to protect children and promote their well-being. According to their website, Save the Children believes that every child in the world deserves the right to a healthy start. Children should be provided with opportunities to learn in a safe and nurturing environments, and they should be protected from harm. Because disaster strikes far too often, Save the Children looks to ensure that children's needs continue to be met under devastating circumstances. They pursue large-scale change and save the lives of children all over the world (http://www.savethechildren.org/). 

I chose this organization to share for similar reasons as I chose UNICEF. In advocating for the rights of children, it is important that respected organizations organize their efforts to protect and support them. Becoming involved with such an organization that truly save the lives of children (http://www.savethechildren.org/). 

In thinking about job opportunities in the international community of early childhood, one position that stood out to me through UNICEF's website is an Educational Specialist position in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The qualifications needed to be hired in this position are:

• Advanced university degree in Education, Primary Education, or Social Sciences
• Experience with identifying and monitoring gender inequalities
• 8 years of professional educational work experience at national and/or international levels 
• Experience working in the UN or other international development organizations
• Fluency in English and French

Another job that caught my attention was Research Program Manager in Florence, Italy with responsibilities in overseeing research projects pertaining to the well-being of children. Qualifications for this job include:

• Advanced university degree in the Social Sciences, Public Administration, International Relations, Business Administration, Public Health, or Education. PhD with research experience is desirable.
• 5 years of relevant work experience at the national or international levels in management regarding development research
• Fluency in English and at least one other United Nations working language (e.g., French, Spanish)