Coordinador de Desarrollo Integral de la Primera Infancia

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to save, protect, and transform lives in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing relief and development assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it promotes equality in employment opportunities, welcoming individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values.

Job Overview:
The position of Coordinador de Desarrollo Integral de la Primera Infancia is a strategic role that involves providing expert technical guidance and support to optimize child protection and care systems, with a focus on preventive health, nutritional improvement, and child development. The coordinator will lead the execution of project objectives aimed at strengthening systemic capacities and managing learning among key stakeholders to enhance the well-being of vulnerable children and families. This role requires coordination with government entities, civil society organizations, faith-based institutions, and community leaders to foster sustainable policy changes and elevate service standards. The coordinator will utilize the Nurturing Care Framework to design and implement activities that support health, nutrition, responsive care, early learning, safety, and well-being for young children and their caregivers, while also strengthening connections with services that support comprehensive family care.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The primary duties of the Coordinador de Desarrollo Integral de la Primera Infancia include acting as the technical expert for the project in the area of Early Childhood Development (ECD) in Guatemala. Responsibilities encompass providing technical advice, leadership, and strategic assistance in collaboration with global technical counterparts and specialized partners. The coordinator will ensure that strategies, tools, services, training content, and implementation approaches reflect current evidence and national context. Additional responsibilities include advising key stakeholders on improving design, adaptation, and implementation of regulations and quality standards, developing technical tools and methodological guides, strengthening the technical capacities of project teams and local partners through competency-based training programs, and ensuring continuous improvement and sustainability of project interventions. The coordinator will also manage technical information flow, monitor quality, lead risk mitigation efforts, and coordinate the preparation of technical reports and documentation of best practices.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in a field related to health, nutrition, or a similar area, with a Master's degree or specialized studies in nutrition, Early Childhood Development, or related fields being highly desirable. A minimum of five years of relevant work experience in the specific area of expertise is required, along with proven experience managing multisectoral project budgets and overseeing multiple projects within the same department. Experience working with government entities, civil society, faith-based organizations, and community actors is essential, as is the ability to apply technical knowledge and standards in program implementation. Candidates should also have experience in facilitation, mentoring, capacity strengthening, and collaborating across multiple technical areas within integrated projects.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in health, nutrition, or a related field, with advanced studies such as a Master's degree in Early Childhood Development or specialized training in nutrition being preferred. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of child development and the necessary interventions to support vulnerable populations.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of professional experience in the relevant field, with a strong emphasis on managing projects related to Early Childhood Development and nutrition. Candidates should have a track record of working effectively with various stakeholders, including government agencies and community organizations, and should demonstrate experience in project management, budget oversight, and capacity building.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, with intermediate proficiency in English being desirable. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages is essential for collaboration with diverse stakeholders and for the successful implementation of project activities.

Additional Notes:
This position may involve travel to intervention areas within the country, accounting for approximately 40% of the time. The role is full-time and may require the successful candidate to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies. CRS is committed to equal employment opportunities and prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates. The organization emphasizes the importance of safeguarding program participants and community members from all forms of exploitation and abuse.