PROJECT OFFICER – EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION (ECCE)

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE 

The Project Officer – ECCE will coordinate ICS SP’s early childhood care and education interventions in Machakos County, working to improve access, equity, and quality of services for children from conception to age 8. As project lead for an upcoming Machakos-based project, the Officer will provide technical guidance, ensure quality and timely delivery against project goals, and collaborate closely with government actors, technical partners, research teams, and the Community leaders. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Project Management

• Lead the start-up, implementation, and administration of the ECCE project, ensuring delivery on time, on scope, on budget, and in line with donor regulations. 

Technical Guidance

• Provide technical support to the design and implementation of ECCE interventions, and contribute to the development/adaptation of new ECCE  tools, resources, and solutions. 
• Build the capacity of the ICS SP team on ECD/ECCE programming. 

Project Accountability

• Develop and present progress, process, and financial reports in line with organisational processes, donor requirements, and timelines. 

Monitoring, Learning & Research

• Work with the MEAL team to implement an effective M&E and learning framework for ECCE interventions. 
• Identify strategic opportunities to share and disseminate project evaluation and research findings. 

Partnerships & Networking

• Build and sustain relationships with relevant government departments and strategic technical partners, and engage national and sub-national coordination structures, technical working committees, and networks to advance project goals. 

Influence & Representation

• Represent ICS SP at government, donor, partner, and other relevant meetings and events as assigned, in close coordination with the  Programme Manager and Director. 

Human Resource Management

• Support the design of performance objectives and indicators for project field staff; guide and support frontline community staff to meet deliverables, and conduct performance appraisals in line with organisational HRM policies. 

REQUISITE REQUIREMENTS 

• At least 5–7 years of programming experience in early childhood development, education, maternal and child health, parenting, or community education. 
• Strong understanding of global evidence and best practice in Early Childhood Development and ECCE, including the Nurturing Care Framework, Care for Child Development, and integrated ECDE approaches. 
• Strong project management skills, including planning, budgeting, and donor reporting. 
• Demonstrated experience operationalising ECCE, parenting, and child protection interventions within sub-national government systems and service delivery platforms. 
• Sound experience working with stakeholders to evaluate and disseminate ECCE project outcomes. 
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, reporting, communication, and presentation skills. 
• Proven ability to manage self and guide a frontline workforce, ensuring sound project management processes are followed. 
• Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Gender, Public Health, or Early Childhood Development; a relevant Master’s degree is an added advantage. 
• Sound understanding of the Nurturing Care Framework and ECDE policy frameworks and models  

SAFEGUARDING & CHILD PROTECTION 

Protecting children, vulnerable communities, and our own staff is ICS SP’s absolute priority. We have zero tolerance for incidents of violence or abuse against children and other people in the communities we serve, whether committed by our staff or others connected to our work. Successful applicants will be required to sign and adhere to our safeguarding, child protection, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) code of conduct and policies.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE 

The Project Officer – ECCE will coordinate ICS SP’s early childhood care and education interventions in Machakos County, working to improve access, equity, and quality of services for children from conception to age 8. As project lead for an upcoming Machakos-based project, the Officer will provide technical guidance, ensure quality and timely delivery against project goals, and collaborate closely with government actors, technical partners, research teams, and the Community leaders. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Project Management

• Lead the start-up, implementation, and administration of the ECCE project, ensuring delivery on time, on scope, on budget, and in line with donor regulations. 

Technical Guidance

• Provide technical support to the design and implementation of ECCE interventions, and contribute to the development/adaptation of new ECCE  tools, resources, and solutions. 
• Build the capacity of the ICS SP team on ECD/ECCE programming. 

Project Accountability

• Develop and present progress, process, and financial reports in line with organisational processes, donor requirements, and timelines. 

Monitoring, Learning & Research

• Work with the MEAL team to implement an effective M&E and learning framework for ECCE interventions. 
• Identify strategic opportunities to share and disseminate project evaluation and research findings. 

Partnerships & Networking

• Build and sustain relationships with relevant government departments and strategic technical partners, and engage national and sub-national coordination structures, technical working committees, and networks to advance project goals. 

Influence & Representation

• Represent ICS SP at government, donor, partner, and other relevant meetings and events as assigned, in close coordination with the  Programme Manager and Director. 

Human Resource Management

• Support the design of performance objectives and indicators for project field staff; guide and support frontline community staff to meet deliverables, and conduct performance appraisals in line with organisational HRM policies. 

REQUISITE REQUIREMENTS 

• At least 5–7 years of programming experience in early childhood development, education, maternal and child health, parenting, or community education. 
• Strong understanding of global evidence and best practice in Early Childhood Development and ECCE, including the Nurturing Care Framework, Care for Child Development, and integrated ECDE approaches. 
• Strong project management skills, including planning, budgeting, and donor reporting. 
• Demonstrated experience operationalising ECCE, parenting, and child protection interventions within sub-national government systems and service delivery platforms. 
• Sound experience working with stakeholders to evaluate and disseminate ECCE project outcomes. 
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, reporting, communication, and presentation skills. 
• Proven ability to manage self and guide a frontline workforce, ensuring sound project management processes are followed. 
• Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Gender, Public Health, or Early Childhood Development; a relevant Master’s degree is an added advantage. 
• Sound understanding of the Nurturing Care Framework and ECDE policy frameworks and models  

SAFEGUARDING & CHILD PROTECTION 

Protecting children, vulnerable communities, and our own staff is ICS SP’s absolute priority. We have zero tolerance for incidents of violence or abuse against children and other people in the communities we serve, whether committed by our staff or others connected to our work. Successful applicants will be required to sign and adhere to our safeguarding, child protection, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) code of conduct and policies.