ECD Specialist

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Position Title: ECD Specialist
Location: Brussels
Country: Belgium
Deadline Date: Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis and interested candidates are urged to apply immediately.

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
Handicap International/Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is an independent and impartial international solidarity organization that intervenes in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflicts, and disasters. Established to work alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, HI aims to meet their essential needs, improve their living conditions, and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights. The organization is a leading actor in disability inclusion and collaborates with key stakeholders such as UNICEF, WHO, and the World Bank to promote Early Childhood Development (ECD) as a powerful equalizer for every child, including those with disabilities. Since its inception in 2018, HI has been actively promoting the global Nurturing Care Framework and is currently piloting its implementation in selected countries. HI is committed to an employment policy that favors persons with disabilities, ensuring inclusivity in its workforce.

Job Overview:
The ECD Specialist position is designed for a dynamic individual who is motivated to provide technical support in the design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the ECD HI framework. The role requires a strong understanding of global evidence, best practices, and gaps in early childhood development interventions. The ideal candidate will have experience integrating ECD into health contact points with caregivers and their children, operationalizing the Nurturing Care Framework, and integrating ECD interventions into various service delivery platforms such as rehabilitation, education, and protection. The ECD Specialist will lead technical discussions and strategic thinking around ECD, particularly focusing on early detection, early intervention, and mental health and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support (MHPSS) for both caregivers and children. This position involves collaboration with key internal stakeholders, including specialists from other technical directions, operation officers, geographic directors, and field staff. The ECD Specialist will also contribute to strategic plans, budget development, and annual/quarterly work plans while providing overall ECD technical guidance aligned with HI's strategic vision. Additionally, the role includes providing ECD technical support to country and regional programs, leading the development, adaptation, and implementation of ECD materials and interventions for children aged 0-8.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Technical Support: Provide technical support for the development of ECD projects, including the creation and rollout of tools, resources, and training to enhance ECD program implementation. Build the capacity of in-country teams on ECD programming, participate in the development and monitoring of technical work plans and budgets, and ensure appropriate levels of technical assistance in program interventions. Conduct regular technical supportive supervision, mentoring, and monitoring visits to project sites as necessary. Work with project staff to ensure effective program planning, implementation, and monitoring. Encourage multi-sectoral collaboration to optimize child development, especially for children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families.
• Definition of Technical Framework: Lead the internal and external dissemination of HI’s ECD Guidance Document, contribute to the elaboration and implementation of the ECD strategic action plan, global framework, and MEAL matrix. Identify and define integrated ECD interventions with relevant sectors, lead the development of HI's parenting pack, and contribute to the creation of child stimulation training packs.
• Continuous Learning and Knowledge Management: Collaborate with country teams to document processes, tools, and lessons learned, and identify areas for improvement. Share HI’s ECD program evaluation results, assist in preparing donor progress reports, and facilitate knowledge generation and sharing events. Lead knowledge management related to ECD programming and ensure a functional lessons learned mechanism.
• Networking and Representation: Promote HI’s visibility and expertise in ECD externally, participate in international networks, and represent HI in major international forums and initiatives related to ECD.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an educational background in health, specifically in Child Health, Maternal & Child Health, Mental Health & Psychosocial Support, or rehabilitation (occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy). Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in ECD, particularly in early detection and early intervention, within low and middle-income countries (LMIC). Familiarity with integrated and inclusive ECD, relevant global guidance documents, stakeholders, and networks is essential. Proficiency in concepts of Gender, Age, and Disability Inclusion, as well as Health System Strengthening and ECD, is highly desirable. Candidates should also possess broad capacity-building and training experience, including providing remote technical support, and have a strong record of fostering effective partnerships on an international level.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a relevant educational background in health, including but not limited to Child Health, Maternal & Child Health, Mental Health & Psychosocial Support, or rehabilitation disciplines such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, or speech therapy. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of early childhood development and the associated health systems.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience specifically in early childhood development (ECD), with a focus on early detection and early intervention strategies in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). Candidates should demonstrate a strong familiarity with integrated and inclusive ECD practices, including knowledge of relevant global guidance documents and the ability to engage with various stakeholders and networks in the field.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English and French is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in Spanish is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate in diverse contexts and with various stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position offers an open-ended contract with a full-time working schedule. Salary will be determined based on the candidate's experience and the location of the position. Health insurance is provided, along with an advantageous teleworking charter. The starting date for this position is as soon as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately. For more information about the organization, candidates can visit www.hi.org.