Early Childhood Development (ECD) Officer Mwalweni

Organization

Help a Child is a Christian international NGO specialized in community development with its headquarters in the Netherlands. Founded in 1968, Help a Child’s mission is to improve the wellbeing of children living in poverty and crisis through supportive communities. Currently, Help a Child is operating in Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, South Sudan, DR Congo, Rwanda, Somalia and India. Help a Child has been operating in Malawi since 2009.

We have been working with our partners in various regions of Malawi to implement community development programs that promote the well-being of children by empowering their families and communities. In cooperation with local NGO partners, Help a Child Malawi improves the resilience of households by implementing the Child Centered Community Development (CCCD) program. In this holistic program, various thematic interventions are combined. They focus on early childhood development, education & child rights, as well as youth development and economic empowerment.

Position

Early Childhood Development (ECD) Officer

• Program Overview: Help a Child Malawi is dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families through its child centred community development programs (CCCD). At the core of HAC’s CCCD program is Early Childhood Development (ECD) program which focuses on providing holistic support to young children, ensuring their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development in a nurturing environment.

  Purpose of the Position: The Early Childhood Development Officer will be responsible for the planning, implementation, and oversight of ECD initiatives within the designated project area in T/A Mwalweni, Rumphi district, with a focus on parenting education, centre-based ECD programming, and the construction/establishment of Community-Based Childcare Centers (CBCCs). This role aims to enhance early childhood education and development services, promote child welfare, and actively engage families and communities in the developmental process, aligning with Help a Child Malawi's strategic focus on these key thematic areas.

  Key Responsibilities:

  1. Parenting Education:
  • Lead the planning, implementation, and monitoring of community-based parenting education sessions utilizing the organization's developed modules.
  • Coordinate and conduct training sessions for caregivers, parents, and community volunteers to become effective parenting educators.
  • Adapt and contextualize parenting education materials and methodologies to suit the specific needs and cultural contexts of the target communities.
  • Establish and support the functioning of parenting groups within the project areas.
  • Monitor the impact of parenting education on family dynamics, child wellbeing, and parental involvement in ECD.
  • Collaborate with the MEAL Officer to document changes in parenting practices and their effects on children.
  2. Centre-Based ECD Programming (CBCC Support):
  • Provide technical support and guidance to existing and newly established CBCCs to ensure the delivery of high-quality, holistic ECD programming.
  • Train CBCC caregivers and volunteers on child development principles, age-appropriate activities, curriculum implementation, and positive child management techniques.
  • Support CBCCs in developing and implementing daily routines, learning activities, and stimulating environments that promote children's physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development.
  • Monitor the quality of ECD programming in CBCCs using established standards and provide ongoing mentorship and support for improvement.
  • Facilitate linkages between CBCCs and parents, encouraging active parental involvement in centre activities and children's learning.
  • Support CBCCs in resource mobilization and the effective management of available resources.
  3. Construction/Establishment of Community-Based Childcare Centers (CBCCs):
  • Lead the community mobilization and sensitization processes for the establishment of new CBCCs in collaboration with local leaders and community members.
  • Participate in the identification of suitable sites and the planning of CBCC construction or renovation, ensuring community involvement in the process.
  • Oversee the construction/renovation process of CBCCs, ensuring adherence to agreed plans, quality standards, and timelines (where applicable).
  • Support communities in establishing management structures and operational plans for newly constructed/established CBCCs.
  • Facilitate the provision of basic resources and learning materials for new CBCCs.
  • Ensure that newly established CBCCs are integrated into the broader ECD program and receive ongoing support.
  • Organize and implement community awareness campaigns on the importance of early childhood development.

  Qualifications:

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Social Work, Community Development, or a related social science.
  • Experience:
  • Minimum of three years’ experience working in early childhood development, community empowerment, or community-based positive parenting education.
  • Proven experience in supporting centre-based ECD programs and working with caregivers and volunteers.
  • Experience in community mobilization and engagement, particularly related to establishing community-owned initiatives.
  • Experience in basic project management and monitoring. Experience in overseeing small-scale construction or community infrastructure projects is an advantage.
  • Skills:
  • Strong understanding of child development principles and practices, particularly in the Malawian context.
  • Excellent knowledge of positive parenting approaches and effective facilitation techniques for adult learning.
  • Understanding of the principles and best practices in centre-based ECD programming.
  • Basic understanding of construction processes and community-led development approaches for infrastructure projects.
  • Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) in English; proficiency in local languages (Chichewa, Tumbuka, etc.) relevant to the project areas is essential.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups including children, youths, parents, educators, community leaders, and local authorities.
  • Excellent skills in project reporting, including documentation of success stories and data collection.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills.
  • Valid motorcycle license and ability to ride safely in rural areas.

  Reporting Structure:

  The Early Childhood Development Officer will report directly to the ECD Coordinator at Help a Child Malawi. Regular meetings will be held to discuss progress updates, challenges faced, and strategies moving forward, with a specific focus on the thematic areas of parenting, CBCC programming, and construction.

   

  Duration of Employment:

  This position is expected to be a one-year fixed-term contract, subject to renewal based on performance evaluation and funding availability.

  Location:

  The position will be based in Mwalweni, Rumphi, with frequent travel required within the project areas.

Offer 

Help a Child offers the opportunity to become part of an ambitious, child-centered, and Christian international NGO with a dedicated team of professionals motivated to maximize impact. Help a Child offers a fair pay and benefits package that is justifiable to our donors. Additionally, you will be offered a fixed term one (1) year contract. Depending on funding, performance, and fit with the staff, the contract may be extended. 

How to apply

Interested and qualified candidates are kindly invited to apply before DATE 

In your cover letter, please reflect on your motivation for wanting to become part of the Help a Child organization including a reflection on Help a Child being a child-centered and Christian organization. 

The interviews will be at our office in Malawi, plot #14/189,  Area 14 - Lilongwe. 

Help a Child is committed to keeping children safe. All staff is required to sign and adhere to the Help a Child’s Integrity Policy. Recruitment is subject to the successful completion of all applicable background checks, including criminal record checks. In this recruitment process, we ask the candidate for consent for obtaining the Statement of Conduct. We also participate in the SCHR Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.