Early Childhood Development (ECD) Hub Network Coordinator at Plan International

Location: Flexible 
Functional Area: Programmes 
Reports to : Lead of the ECD Hub, Gender transformative Policy and Practice Department, Global Hub 
Travel required: Limited 
Grade: 3

Role Purpose
 The purpose of this position is to: 

• Coordinate Plan International’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) network, supporting member mobilization and engagement 
• Maintain Plan’s ECD knowledge management platforms and design, implement and evaluate learning and development activities for ECD professional staff that are members of the network  
• Contribute to the work conducted at the global level by the ECD Hub practice and policy and advocacy leads – including the development of guidance, standards, programme and influencing models, and Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks; facilitating the engagement of network members in these processes and supporting the roll-out, adaptation and testing.  

Dimensions of the Role:

• The Global ECD network Coordinator is responsible for facilitating and administering Plan International’s ECD network, which currently includes approximately 300 staff from Country Offices, Programme Units, and National Organizations working in both development and humanitarian settings. The aim of the network is to catalyse and support sharing and learning among ECD programme and influencing staff, in order to progress quality, gender-transformative ECD work aligned with the nexus approach.
• The network coordinator collaborates with the other members of the ECD Hub, and the ECD Core Group  to mobilize network members’ support and inputs for advancing global ECD priorities, including the development of programme models, ECD/ECD in Emergencies guidance/standards, policy and advocacy briefs/positions and external representation.
• The network coordinator supports the practical application of models, guidance/standards in the countries – through the facilitation of ECD knowledge management platforms and processes; the design and implementation of an ECD network learning plan; and the facilitation of peer-to-peer technical support, where needed.   
• The Global ECD Network Coordinator works with staff engaged in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of ECD programming and influencing work across different Country Offices (COs) and National Organizations (NOs). The coordinator also works in collaboration with the coordinators of the Hubs/networks for Plan International’s other priority thematic areas, relevant Disaster Risk Management (DRM) specialists, as well as Specialists in Knowledge Management, to ensure consistent and joined up communication, knowledge management and learning approaches.  

Qualifications / Experience Requirements

• Experience facilitating networks or communities of practice, and the facilitation of knowledge management and learning practices is essential 
• Experience working in or with those countries in which Plan International currently runs programmes is essential 
• Education at degree level or vocational study in fields such as education, early childhood education, social work, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and nutrition would be desirable 
• Practical experience in ECD/ECDiE programming or sub-areas (education, maternal, new-born and child health and nutrition) would be desirable 
• Languages required:  Fluent written and spoken English. Working French language skills are preferred. Ability to effectively communicate in other languages such as  Spanish, Arabic or Portuguese would be ideal.  

Technical Competencies:

• Knowledge of child development theory and of how children learn and of the evidence-base around the nurturing care and multi-sectorial services that are essential for young children’s survival,  development and resilience 
• Understanding of effective approaches for play-based early childhood education and parenting education and support programmes for nurturing care, including adaptations for humanitarian settings  and male engagement approaches  
• Knowledge of rights-based and gender-transformative programming approaches 
• Understanding and application of approaches for the conceptualisation and design of learning materials and/or design and development of communication content and materials, using a variety of software and tools 
• Understanding and application of effective approaches for the facilitation of communities of practice and networks, demonstrating strong communication, relationship-building and networking skills  
• Ability to analyse, collate, structure and condense complex technical content into accessible, practical messages and tools.  
• Proficient user of different platforms including share-point (including page design, document/library management etc.), google analytics, Microsoft 365, skype, workplace etc. 
• Demonstrates sensitivity to cultural differences and ability to manage different interests. Nurtures and build relationships in cross-cultural contexts, and creates an environment where colleagues feel supported and safe.  
• Understands project management principles and processes, and applies organised and structured ways of working, including in areas such as content or request management 
• Supports gender equality and diversity, and challenges any form of inequality or harassment 

Accountabilities

Network Coordination and Administration (25%):

• Build and grow network membership, mobilizing technical specialists across all Plan International offices, and ensuring effective on- and off-boarding processes for network members.  
• Maintain a strong network, using online and offline tools, ensuring regular updates, and promoting learning and fostering sharing between network members. Maintain tools and processes required to ensure smooth running of network.  
• Periodically identify the priority needs of network members, and work with other members of the ECD Hub to identify how these can be served. Set up and maintain processes and tools to respond to ad hoc requests and feedback from network members, and ensure timely support and response. Periodically elicit membership feedback on the degree to which the network meets their expectations  
• Provide administrative/coordination support for regular joint meetings of Hub practice/policy leads, the ECD core group, ECD regional networks.   
• Maintain the ECD network/Hub calendar and support Plan’s coordinated representation/participation in external networks, coalitions/ initiatives through different network members.

Knowledge Management (KM) Processes and Platforms (35%):

• Develop and maintain oversight of development, use and usability of knowledge offers for the ECD area.  
• Suggest and implement changes to knowledge offers and tools based on the strategic requirements of ECD staff working in organisation. Establish and maintain the required networks and stakeholder relationships in the Global Hub, NOs, Regional Hubs and COs to collect and jointly analyse feedback and to further co-design and build a coherent knowledge offer that considers the needs of users in the thematic area.  
• Maintain and regularly review and update knowledge assets in the thematic area of early childhood development and ensure they are easily accessible and usable across all knowledge and learning platforms within Plan International and the Plan International website (as well as external KM platforms, where relevant).   As part of this, manage Plan’s ECD Intranet site, library and workplace platforms.  
• Lead the communication and engagement processes for the socialization, adaptation and adoption of “global goods” (models, guidance, M&E frameworks etc) developed to support Plan’s ECD work.  

Learning Planning and Resources (40%):

• Develop and roll-out a learning plan and maintain a regular schedule of learning offers and formats (including, for example courses, webinars, newsletters etc.) for technical staff. Ensure regular monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of the different learning resources 
• Oversee and develop multimedia tools (videos, podcasts, graphic visuals) for socialisation of and learning about the resources developed to advance quality, gender-transformative ECD  work.   
• Support the ECD Collaboration Hub practice/policy leads and relevant humanitarian specialists in analysing, assessing and collating insights and learning on ECD/ECDIE from internal and external sources, and help determine appropriate approaches and formats for sharing with technical audiences within Plan, as well as with external partners.  

Key Relationships:

• Members of the ECD Hub (ECD practice lead, ECD policy and advocacy lead, Public Health Specialist) 
• Members of the ECD steering group (Australia, Denmark, Uganda, Mali, Bolivia, Mali). 
• Regional ECD focal points, members of the ECD network core group and project groups 
• Global Knowledge Management Specialist and Network Coordinators of the other thematic areas 
• Global Internal Communications team for support on use of different platforms Global Learning and Development team for the definition and implementation of the learning plan and strategies.

Plan International's Values in Practice

We are Open and Accountable:

• Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors. 
• Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity. 
• Consistent and fair in the treatment of people. 
• Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them. 
• Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people 

We Strive for Lasting Impact:

• Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations. 
• Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas. 
• Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises. 
• Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness. 

We Work Well Together:

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate. 
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals. 
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities. 
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children. 

We are Inclusive and Empowering:

• We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential 
• We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge inequality in our programs and our workplace 
• We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives 

Physical Environment:

• Typical office environment 

Level of Contact with Children:

• Low contact -  No contact or very low frequency of interaction