Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels
Exploring Roles in the ECE Community:
Local and State Levels
The organizations and communities of practice that I would like to explore.
The Early Childhood Commission (ECC)
The Mission of the ECC speaks to the integration and coordination of high-quality early childhood programs and services to ensure equity and access for children aged 0 to 8 years in healthy, safe and nurturing environments.
The Early Children Commission (ECC) was founded by the Early Childhood Commission Act (2003), in line with the Government of Jamaica's strategic goal of improving the quality of early childhood care, education, and development.
The ECC is in charge of monitoring and assessing how early childhood development strategies and programs are implemented. All early childhood development initiatives are coordinated. Early childcare centres are regulated and supervised.
Job Opportunities:
RESEARCH MANAGER (SOG/ST 7)
The Research Manager is responsible for establishing and coordinating the implementation of a research agenda for the ECD sector to facilitate the availability of a comprehensive body of relevant high quality and timely information; and providing timely, accurate evaluation reports to inform effective planning and policy and decision-making on ECD issues.
Minimum Requirements:
Master’s Degree in Policy Research related area from a recognized tertiary institution with
Four (4) years of related experience including two (2) years in a management or senior supervisory post OR
First Degree in Policy Research related area from a recognized tertiary institution equivalent qualifications with
Five (5) years of related experience including three (3) years in a management or senior supervisory post
2. SENIOR SECRETARY (OPS/SS 3)
Reporting to the Director, Cross-Sectoral Coordination, the Senior Secretary is responsible for providing general administrative and secretarial support to the Director and the department.
Minimum Requirements:
CXC or GCE ‘O’ Level subjects including the English Language; successful completion of the prescribed Secretarial Course of study at the Management Institute for National Development (MIND) or any Accredited Secretarial Studies, proficiency in Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM) at a speed of 50-55 words per minute and speed writing at a speed of 100-120 words per minute, plus four (4) to five (5) years general office experience;
OR
Graduation from an accredited school of Secretarial Studies with proficiency in EDPM at a speed of 50-55 words per minute and speed writing at a speed of 100-120 words per minute, training in the use of a variety of software applications e.g., word processing, database and spreadsheets; English Language at CXC or GCE O’Level; completion of the appropriate Office Professional Training Course at the Management Institute for National Development, plus four (4) to five (5) years general office experience;
The Office of the Children's Advocate is a Parliamentary commission tasked with enforcing and protecting children's rights and best interests. The Office of Child Advocacy was founded in 2006 under the Child Care and Protection Act (2004). Children in Jamaica will "enjoy their rights to survival, development, protection, and participation, as well as consideration of their best interests at all times," according to the OCA's vision. Diahann Gordon Harrison is the current Children's Advocate.
Through vigilance, strategic alliances, and timely, efficient, and quality service to all of our clients, the OCA is dedicated to promoting and protecting children's rights and best interests.
In Jamaica, children have the right to survival, development, protection, and participation, as well as to have their best interests considered at all times. At all times, the Children's Advocate must PROTECT and ENFORCE the RIGHTS of children and PROMOTE their BEST INTERESTS. Currently,, there are no career opportunities available.
The Children's Registry's principal function is to receive reports of children who have been, are being, or are likely to be abandoned, neglected, physically or sexually abused, or who require other forms of care and protection. The Children's Registry records, evaluates and submits these reports to the Child Development Agency and the Office of the Children's Advocate for investigation and appropriate action after receiving them. The OCR is also in charge of running the Ananda Alert system. The Ananda Alert is a countrywide system aimed to ensure a child's safe and prompt recovery if he or she goes missing or is abducted. The system was activated in 2011 after 11-year-old Ananda was abducted, raped and killed. In addition, her 27-year-old sister, was killed on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, by gun as a result of gang violence at her grandmother's funeral.
I am very passionate about advocating for children, especially since a 5-year-old student at my school was recently abused by her brother. In Negril, Westmoreland, a 29-year-old man is on the run after reportedly sexually abusing his five-year-old sister and two-year-old niece. I can speak about the situation here because that was in the public arena.
Currently, there are no available job openings.
NAEYC is a major advocate for high-quality early childhood education, backed by a varied and dynamic field. We are banding together with Americans from all political, geographic, and demographic backgrounds to demand investments in high-quality early childhood education and early childhood educators because we know it will make America brighter, stronger, and more competitive. Besides, Naeyc and the Early Childhood Commission of Jamaica are in partnership to train practitioners in the Early Childhood Sector.
NAEYC's mission is to combine practice, policy, and research to promote high-quality early learning for all children from birth to age eight. NAEYC supports all those who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children by promoting a diverse and dynamic early childhood profession.
NAEYC pays well, has great benefits, and has a lovely work atmosphere. All opportunities are based at our Washington, DC headquarters. Please check back often for updates and a list of NAEYC job openings.
NAEYC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all people, regardless of race, colour, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, matriculation, genetic information, disability, or protected veterans status, or any other factor that is a prohibited consideration under applicable laws.
Current Career Opportunities:
Executive Officer
Chief of Staff
Executive Assistant and Board Administrator
Finance and Operations
Awards and Compliance Specialist
Staff Accountant
Market Solutions and Conferences
Business Development Specialist
Meeting Planner
Membership and Marketing
Digital Marketing Manager
Policy and Professional Advancement
Director of Advocacy
I am interested in the Director of Advocacy position as I believe that upon completion of this Capstone and all that I have learned throughout this course will prepare for this post.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is looking for a Director of Advocacy to oversee the organization's federal and state advocacy portfolio on a strategic and operational level. NAEYC is a professional membership organization that connects early childhood practice, policy, and research to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, from birth to age eight. NAEYC promotes a varied and dynamic early childhood profession and supports all those who care for, educate, and advocate for children under the age of eight.
The Director of Advocacy, who reports to the Managing Director, Policy and Professional Advancement, creates and implements narrative, media, and partnership strategies to advance equity and centre early childhood educators' voices in policymaking. As a member of the Policy and Professional Advancement team and in collaboration with
Qualification Requirements
Bachelor's degree required; concentration and/or advanced degree in public policy or administration, nonprofit management, and/or early childhood education/child development preferred
Minimum of five years' experience supporting advocacy and/or organizing
Experience in / knowledge of early childhood education preferred
For additional job opportunities please see the full list of available position descriptions visit: http://naeyc.applicantpro.com/jobs/
References
https://ecc.gov.jm/
https://jis.gov.jm/ananda-alerts/
https://www.welcome.oca.gov.jm/
https://www.naeyc.org/
https://ocr.gov.jm/
http://radiojamaicanewsonline.com/local/man-on-the-run-after-alleged-sexual-abuse-of-young-sister-niece
Hello Sherida!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing a very informative post about these different organizations that work to improve the quality of life of children in Jamaica. It is unfortunate and devastating to hear such strong news of child abuse, even more so when the abuse comes from close relatives. In the United States, there is a similar alert called Amber Alert for when a child is missing or kidnapped. While living in Georgia, I received several Amber Alerts, even at very late-night hours. I put myself in the situation of these children and families, and it is very stressful and frustrating to think about what they go through. Thank you for your passion and advocating on behalf of innocent children who often go through very tough situations.
I hadn't noticed that NAEYC has several available career opportunities. NAEYC is an excellent organization to work with. Thanks for sharing!
I enjoyed reading your post!
Antoinette
Thank you for your insights, Antoinette.
ReplyDeleteI love advocating for children. My first career choice was a Social Worker. It was definitely a job I couldn’t handle because I was too sensitive to the children who were being hurt, etc. Becoming a teacher, I’m allowed to hold the child and bond with the children, something I couldn’t do as a Social Worker. I was recently dealing with a situation like the Westmoreland situation. This past school year there was a 5-year-old in my class who didn’t know when she used the restroom on herself. She never talked and she would always run from any man that got close to her. I then noticed the nights she stays with her mom she doesn’t use the restroom on herself but when she stay with her father she does. I then brought it to my boss attention because she’s a licensed Social Worker and she told me to stop assuming things; she knew her father and he’s a great man. Months later this child came to school extremely red from head to toe. When she went in the restroom, I asked if she was ok and she said, “I’m tired of daddy hurting me.” When I told my boss about it and police was involved, it turned out her father was messing with her. It’s sad that this goes on in some children households. After that situation I started playing close attention to all children and when they talk, I do listen to them.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that you have experience this as well. I am even more sorrowful for that child. Yes, we have to be vigilant and be the voice for these children. You did write thing by getting the police involved. In Jamaica, once you know or suspect of a child being abused and do not report it, you can be fined up to $500,000.00. Like your boss, sometimes we are too trusting of individuals and in most cases, these are the people committing the act. the ones we trust. Thank you for your input. I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteSherida