Time Well Spent

Finit!

We have finally completed the final leg of what at times felt like a never-ending journey. This program has taught me the importance of building strong relationships with others because you never know who you may need to turn to for help. I found myself reaching out to colleagues all over the world for help in getting through various assignments. I would not have been able to complete those assignments without their help.

I have also learned the value of life experiences and their impact on our lives. Our courses gave us many opportunities to reflect on our experiences, our life events, and our past learning and connect them to what we were learning in the program. It has indeed been quite eye-opening.

Lastly, I was awakened to becoming an agent of positive social change. Something I had never given much thought to before Walden. I have always been an advocate in small ways, but I now find myself wanting to make greater strides in the field. As I wrote my speech I realized how deeply I really wanted to make it a reality. I have so much to aim for now!

One long term goal I have is what I actually wrote about in my speech. I would like to write a book. I would like to start writing articles for ECE journals in the short term, so look for my name!

FAREWELL!

I have prepared for this moment for almost two years and now I find myself quiet. How do you say good-bye to people who you have relied upon for so long? 

To all of my colleagues and instructors, I thank you for your time. I thank you for your passion. I thank you for your collaboration. I thank you for listening. I thank you for responding. I thank you for your questions. I thank you for your comments and suggestions.

To the wonderful, intelligent ladies of this Capstone course, I thank you for lively and refreshing discussion boards. I am thankful for having had the opportunity to learn from and with you all.

To Dina Corral and Shawna Kushner, thank you for challenging me. You ladies made me go the extra mile and I am grateful for the push.

To Lynda, Mary Jo, Nadia, Melanie, Nina, Sha'Keema, Antowah, Lauren, Tinka, Danielle, Misty, Jennifer, Bethany, and Lorren. I started with you ladies and we pushed each other through some difficult moments. I benefitted in more ways than I can say from you sharing your knowledge and passions. Thank you all!

A very special, heart felt thanks to Tina. You were my rock! Thank you for letting me vent (whine, cry) so many times when I needed to. Thank you for being there for me and with me from the very first day. The summer of terror! We had such a hard time those first few weeks trying to figure out all of those technological hiccups. It was like stumbling in the dark. And for me, I was in the dark. It was the summer of storms and no power! You have inspired me to embrace my granola crunching/fashionista self and go climb mountains. I intend to!

Thank you Dr. Teri for your efforts in providing us with information to get us through the course and all of your support. 

Thank you ALL FOR TIME WELL SPENT!!!

I leave you all with this:

http://youtu.be/OpECBDzOITE

Week 6 Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community:Internationally

Week 6

Save the Children

I have always been very interested in Save the Children. Save the Children is a humanitarian organization that protects children. What stands out for me is that they declare, "We save children's lives". That is powerful! They provide programs in health, nutrition, education, child protection, and child rights. I would want to work for an organization whose mission is to ensure children around the world have access to food, education, and medical care.

One position that really interested me is Advocacy Advisor-Humanitarian and Education because of its role:

The Advocacy Adviser will lead our influencing work in the African Union (AU) on humanitarian issues, peace and security and education - engaging widely with the AU Commission and delegations, and civil society organisations active in this arena. He or she will make a key contribution to our global advocacy success in these thematic areas, especially our organisational breakthrough of ensuring that children in humanitarian crises have access to a quality education.

Required Qualifications:

• Education to degree level - an academic background in a directly relevant field s desirable.
• Proven record of advocacy success and ability to develop and implement strategy, preferably at the regional level in Africa.
• A background in influencing African national governments and engaging civil society partners in the region
• Experience of creating networks of influence, and an ability to manage diverse professional relationships, thereby securing significant new opportunities for the organisation
• Proven ability to speak and communicate effectively, and to tailor messages to different audiences
• Experience of successfully operating in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in.
• Demonstrated understanding of development and humanitarian issues, including in education.
• Knowledge and understanding of the AU, and its role in development, human rights and humanitarian issues.
• Commitment to Save the Children's values.
• Experience of, and willingness to travel widely, often at short notice and in conflict- and crisis-affected settings
• Ability to work in English and French essential. Other official AU languages would be an advantage.

The website for Save the Children is: http://www.savethechildren.net/

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

UNESCO is also a humanitarian organization that strives to ensure children have access to quality education as a fundamental right; promotes intercultural understanding; and protects freedom of expression. I am drawn to this organization because of their mission to establish peace based on the morality of humanity.

The position that I felt would be my "dream" job is Assistant Director-General  for Culture.

The Culture Sector’s mission is to promote the pivotal role of culture, heritage and creativity as means of achieving sustainable development and peace, in order to demonstrate the role of culture and its power as a driver and enabler of peace and sustainable development through the Organization’s programmes and standard-setting instruments, as well as through various partnerships. 

The Requirements for the position:

Education

• Advanced university degree or equivalent professional experience in a discipline related to UNESCO’s mandate.

Work Experience

• Extensive and relevant professional experience from senior leadership/executive positions in areas directly related to UNESCO’s Culture Programme, including assignments at the regional and/or international levels.
• Several years of exposure to the requirements of international and inter-governmental cooperation, preferably within the United Nations system context.

Skills/Competencies

• Knowledge of, and commitment to, the Organization’s mandate, vision, strategic directions and priorities.
• Leadership capacities, a sense of objectivity and neutrality, strong analytical skills and intellectual capabilities, professional integrity and diplomacy.
• Ability to exercise well-founded and balanced authority, as well as to provide and manage advisory services and functions.
• Demonstrated managerial skills and ability to direct change processes within large institutions of national or international scope.
• Sound knowledge of general management practices, including results-based management and budgeting principles, governance and accountability, use of information and communication technologies, as well as of techniques of quality assurance and risk management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage relationships at all levels of the Organization.
• Demonstrated strategic planning and management abilities.
• Excellent communication skills with strong representational abilities.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge and drafting skills in one of the working languages of the Organization (English or French) and good knowledge of the second language. Training will be mandatory in order to acquire the required level of the second working language within a reasonable timeframe.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• A Ph.D. level degree in the social and human sciences or one of its sub-disciplines would be an asset.
• Other university degrees or short- to medium-term training in disciplines relevant to the post would be an advantage.

Work Experience

• A proven record of senior management and professional experience at the international and intergovernmental levels.
• Awareness and knowledge of UNESCO’s strategic objectives and of wider processes within the United Nations system, especially with regard to the elaboration of the post-2015 international development agenda.
• Professional experience gained in multicultural working environments.
• Experience in conducting complex negotiations diplomatically and tactfully in the overall interest of pursuing UNESCO’s mandate and mission.
• Experience in guiding staff and motivating teams in a culturally diverse environment, in performing supervisory and monitoring duties, and in ensuring training and staff development.

Skills/Competencies

• Proven ability to interact effectively at the highest governmental levels, as well as with leaders of the private sector and NGOs, and to build collaborative partnerships and networks with and between a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated capacity to mobilize financial and other resources efficiently.
• Capacity to grasp global trends and developments, as well as to adapt and re-orient UNESCO strategies accordingly, in an innovative and creative manner.
• Skills in administration and the management of financial and human resources.
• Skills and knowledge should include a solid understanding of global operational risks.

Languages

Knowledge of other United Nations languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish).

The website for UNESCO is: http://en.unesco.org/about-us/introducing-unesco

fhi 360: The Science of Improving Lives

"Everything is connected. Health. Education. Nutrition. Environment. Economic development. Civil society. Gender equality. Youth. Research. Technology."

I was absolutely blown away by this organization's "360˚ perspective."

Its perspective is that human development is integrated. "Everything is connected". They view human issues holistically and customize their response by connecting ideas, resources, and people.

I am actually considering applying for is Teacher Trainer/Education Specialist in Benue, Nigeria because I have been interested in working in a girls' school in Africa for quite some time. There are so many countries that underserve girls or where girls do not have access to an education. As an educator, I am motivated to champion the rights of children who are unable to secure equitable human rights.

The Requirements for this position are:

The Teacher Trainer/Education Specialist will be responsible for working closely with FHI 360 team members in Benue to implement the main objectives of the project: to improve the quality and relevance of girls’ education and boost retention rates for OVCs in select LGAs in Benue State. The Specialist is responsible for working closely with teachers, school officials, school administrators, and local education officials to ensure that teachers are trained in pedagogy, gender sensitivity, and other subjects, especially Math and Science, as needed. S/He will follow up with teachers in the classroom on a periodic basis to provide additional support to teachers’ use of methods learned during training

Minimum Recruitment Standards: BSc. in Education, or a HND in Teacher Training and/or Education A relevant second degree will be an added advantage Minimum of 5 years work experience Excellent skills in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Power Point, and other email systems Must be able to provide three references from previous employment or university

The website for fhi360 is: http://www.fhi360.org/