To oversee the Early Care and Education Programme, including overseeing a comprehensive package of services for children from conception to 5 years of age. 

Critical Performance Areas: 

• PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT
• PRACTITIONER TRAINING
  
• LEARNER SUPPORT
• STAFF MANAGEMENT 
• ADMINISTRATION

PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT

• Oversee the Early Care and Education Programme through developing, reviewing and guiding the implementation of programmatic initiatives.
• Oversee the development and review of the internal curriculum policies, programmes and standard operating procedures.
• Ensure internal staff are updated and trained on ECD policy and the latest focus in the South African ECD sector.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the National ECD advocacy strategy in collaboration with other ECD sectors.
• Develop, implement and review guidelines for quality on-site training and support of practitioners.
• To build inter-sectoral partnerships to drive evidence-based support and service delivery.
• To build and promote an active community of best early care and education practices.
• Develop and strengthen existing assessment systems.
• Monitor and evaluate children's progress as per their development and implement evidence-based intervention.
• Oversee the tracking of learner progress and programmatic variables, as well as data management and identifying trends.
• Oversee the system for early identification and support of children.
• Oversee the management of the allocated budget in line with the financial policy and procedures
• Work collaboratively and cooperatively with the internal multi-disciplinary team (including the training of internal staff).
• Conduct basic analysis of data and provide comparative insights in terms of national trends or expectations for ECD through reporting.
• Create a tracking system to ensure that all staff adhere to their monthly schedules and timesheets.
  

• Training practitioners in the following domains:
• Programme Theory: A focus on theories related to infancy, early and middle childhood and adolescent development (age and stage appropriate) and theoretical content pertinent to the relevant stages of development
• Programme implementation: (curriculum, daily programme, initiative activities, etc.)
• Ensure all components of Practitioner Training are implemented.
• Assist the M&E Manager with practitioner assessments.

LEARNER SUPPORT

• Conduct and track Case conferences and discussions.
• Analyse learner progress and report thereon.
• Assist the Special Educational Needs Manager in developing learner intervention strategies.
• Assist the M&E Manager with tracking assessments.

STAFF MANAGEMENT

• Manage and support direct reports, including but not limited to onboarding, leave administration, managing performance and developing staff capability through mentoring and training.
• Assist the HR Manager with recruiting staff for relevant initiatives and activities.

 ADMINISTRATION

• Oversee programme-specific budget allocations by tracking the budget and implementing the financial policy. 
• Ensure that all administration is up-to-date. 
• Assist and support the fundraising team with social media posts, suggesting interesting content, providing relevant photos, and taking out donors and visitors to farms/facilities.
• Submit summative and quarterly reports on time.
  

• A relevant Degree
• Minimum of 5 years Early Childhood Development experience (0-5 years) in a similar role
• Experience working in the non-profit (NPO) sector
• Sound knowledge of policies, frameworks, trends and best practices of Early Care and Education in South Africa
• Knowledge of the 2030 ECD goals, the visions of the Sustainable Development Goals in relation to ECD, national capacity building of practitioners, and National Development P
• Sound knowledge of a population-based approach to assessment and intervention
• Sound knowledge of inclusive educational practices