External Consultant for Early Childhood Development

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a prominent humanitarian organization founded in 1933, dedicated to responding to the world's most severe humanitarian crises. The IRC provides lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees who have been forced to flee their homes due to war or disaster. Currently operating in over 40 countries, the IRC's mission is to restore safety, dignity, and hope to millions of uprooted individuals. In Europe, the IRC has expanded its programs to address the increased refugee arrivals, initially starting in Greece and later extending to Serbia, Germany, and Italy. In Italy, the IRC focuses on delivering essential protection, education, livelihood, and health services to refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers, with a particular emphasis on supporting women and children. Their programs span across major cities including Milan, Rome, Turin, Trieste, Sicily, and Calabria, aiming to promote integration and well-being for vulnerable populations.

Job Overview:
The IRC is seeking a qualified external consultant to assist in the implementation of the FAMI 'Italiano Secondo Me' program, which is funded under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) for the period of 2021–202

• The consultant will play a crucial role in designing and delivering seven experiential learning pathways aimed at children aged 2–6 who have a migratory background. The primary focus of these sessions will be to enhance the children's Italian language skills while actively involving their caregivers in understanding and navigating the Italian education system. The program will emphasize the 'language of care' concept, which highlights the importance of caregiver-child interactions as a fundamental driver of language development, learning, and overall well-being. The consultant will be responsible for co-developing session plans, tools, and activity guidelines that are inclusive and culturally sensitive, ensuring accessibility for families from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties will include co-developing session plans and activity guidelines tailored to various developmental stages of children. They will facilitate and oversee the delivery of seven experiential learning pathways, each comprising 20 hours of sessions, with five sessions scheduled between June and August and two between September and December. The consultant will track progress against set objectives, focusing on children's participation and caregiver engagement, while also collecting qualitative feedback to document good practices, challenges, and lessons learned. Additionally, the consultant will liaise with local partners, informal education services, and early childhood centers to co-design and plan activities, participate in coordination meetings with IRC staff and stakeholders, and align activities with local services and referral pathways where relevant.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an academic background in education, psychology, social work, pedagogy, or a related field. Candidates should possess some professional or field experience, such as internships, short-term roles, or project collaborations, specifically in early childhood development (ages 0–6), education, or working with children and families. A deep understanding of language acquisition processes, particularly in multilingual or migration contexts, is essential. Familiarity with participatory, play-based, and child-centered learning approaches is also required, along with the ability to engage both young children and caregivers in structured and informal learning settings. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are necessary for effective collaboration with culturally diverse groups, as well as good organizational skills for planning and facilitating structured sessions.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have a relevant academic background in fields such as education, psychology, social work, pedagogy, or similar disciplines that equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to work effectively in early childhood development and education.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have some level of professional experience, which may include internships, short-term roles, or collaborative projects in early childhood development, education, or related fields. This experience should ideally involve direct work with children and families, providing a practical understanding of the challenges and dynamics involved in these contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in Italian is mandatory for this position, as it is essential for effective communication with the children and caregivers involved in the program. Additionally, knowledge of other languages relevant to migrant communities is considered an asset, as it can enhance the consultant's ability to connect with diverse families and support their integration into the Italian education system.

Additional Notes:
The total budget available for this consultancy assignment is capped at EUR 7875, which includes all fees and applicable taxes. The specific duration of the contract and the seniority level of the position have not been explicitly stated, but the role is expected to be part-time, focusing on the delivery of the specified learning pathways within the outlined timeframe.