Background
VACANCIES ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) is Faith based organisation in Tanzania and of the second largest Lutheran denominations in the world with over 8.5 million members to date. The Mission of the Church is to make people know Jesus Christ and have life in its fullness by bringing to them the Good News through words and deeds, based on the Word of God as it is in the Bible and the Lutheran teachings guided by the ELCT Constitution. Among other roles, ELCT has continued addressing her basic call of serving humanity in holistic manner – The role they have always practiced in three church ministries – including Evangelizing Ministry, Healing Ministry (Health) and educating Ministry (education).

The Health and Diakonia Directorate (HDD) at the Headquarter office of ELCT is responsible for Coordination, Advocacy, Capacity Building and Facilitation of different health services provided by the Lutheran church in Tanzania through their dioceses and common works. In addition, the directorate as others in the ELCT HQ office is responsible in the promotion of Lutheran Church Identity through the provision of health services in the 172
ELCT health facilities which are located across the country and in implementation of programs and projects. Some of these health facilities are partnered with the Government to provide services to the communities through Public Private Partnership (PPP) and service
agreement arrangement.

ELCT HDD is engaged in many aspects of Human development and Prosperity. Through the concept of Holistic care and in the spirit of leaving no one behind – the HDD has always strive to support all people in need including the sick (for both curative and rehabilitative), the poor, the dying (and those in need of Hospice and Palliative care), the young, the old and vulnerable members of our community. The Diakonia engagement has five priority areas which are People: Wellbeing and peaceful coexistence, Planet; protection of earth’s ecosystem, Peace; securing peace dignity and human rights, Prosperity; herness the earthly resources, economic and technology, and Partnerships; improving local, regional and international cooperation.

POSITION : EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR (ECDCo)

Reporting to: Director of Health and Diakonia – ELCT
Location: ELCT HQ Office, Arusha
Operation: Frequent travels in Northern Tanzania

Introduction
ELCT Health and Diakonia directorate is partnered with EGPAF under the support of the Hilton Foundation to implement the Malezi III project in four districts of the Arusha region namely; Karatu, Arusha DC, Arusha CC and Meru DC. Malezi III project is designed to integrate early childhood development interventions in the available systems of health services provision at health facilities and communities. Malezi III project will operate under the clinic and community-based SRH program in ELCT which coordinates the reproductive and child health services. ELCT will implement this project in line with its OVC project which is supporting the initiatives to improve access to HIV services for Orphans and Vulnerable children in 7 regions of Tanzania including Arusha. ELCT through the implementation of this project will also work with other partners implementing the clinic and community-based HIV services and the government in the mentioned districts. Community case workers and community health care workers will be trained to support the work both at the community and health facilities in the mentioned districts.

Required Qualification

• Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine, Early childhood education, Public Health, Child development, psychology, social work, sociology or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience working in early childhood development, education, or related field
• Knowledge of early childhood development, theories, best practices, and current research
• Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and resources effectively
• Experience in developing and implementing early childhood programs and services
• Knowledge of local community resources and services for young children and families
• Ability to work independently and manage priorities
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and other relevant software program.

Job description:
The officer will be responsible for overseeing the development, implementation and evaluation of programs and services that promote the healthy growth and development of young children. The officer will work collaboratively with other professionals, community partners, and families to provide comprehensive and integrated support for children and families.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the integration of Early childhood development in other ELCT programs and projects especially on health such as Palliative Care (PC), Reproductive Health (SRH) and OVC program
• Organise meetings that are meant to identify and address gaps in the areas of Early Child
  Hood development integration.
• Develop innovative strategies, and implement and evaluate projects and services that support the physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of young children that are reached with the Malezi III project and other programs and projects under the ELCT.
• Coordinate and conduct training for community health care workers (CHW)/Community case workers (CCW) and local community leaders who will support the project activities and interventions and lead the integration of early childhood development in the health provision systems.
• Provide consultation and support to health providers where the project is implemented, parents and caregivers on topics related to child development, behavioural management and positive parenting practices
• Work collaboratively with community and clinic partners, health facilities, other professionals, CHWs/CCWs, and families to ensure that the services are responsive to local needs and are integrated with existing services both at the health facilities and communities.
• Work with the CHWs/CCWs to develop and implement strategies to engage families in their child’s learning and development, including parent education and family support programs
• Monitor and report on project outcomes and make recommendations for improvements.
• Collaborate with local agencies and organisations in the areas of implementation to identify and address gaps in Early childhood development services.
• Develop and manage project budget and ensure that resources are used effectively and efficiently
• Stay up to date on best practices in ECD with colleagues, volunteers, clinic and community partners.
• Represent ELCT in meetings, workshops and training on Early Childhood development and related topics.
• Ensure that child safeguarding is being adhered to by all parties involved in the implementation of the project and beyond.
• Any other responsibility assigned by the Health and Diakonia Director or the ELCT Management.