Early Childhood Specialist (Project Coordinator)

Job Summary

The Ethiopian Center for Development is seeking a passionate and experienced Early Childhood Specialist to support its Early Childhood Development (ECD) project. The specialist will be responsible for designing innovative content and training materials for caregivers and teachers, coaching community volunteers, monitoring project performance, and supporting the implementation of parenting and income-generating activities.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Design innovative adult training materials and content for early childhood educators and caregivers.
• Coach and mentor Community Volunteers on the delivery of parental education.
• Conduct regular monitoring, data collection, and reporting on key ECD project indicators.
• Produce high-quality monthly, quarterly, and annual progress reports.
• Document project achievements, best practices, and lessons learned.
• Facilitate and organize relevant training, workshops, and capacity-building sessions.
• Improve the learning environment and development quality in target public preschools, while strengthening PTAs.
• Manage staff and community volunteers at the project office and track the progress of VSLA groups and parenting sessions.
• Mobilize and coordinate various stakeholders for ECD project implementation.
• Provide supportive supervision to target schools.
• Support affiliate partners and project staff to achieve project outcomes.
• Assist women engaged in income-generating activities under Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLA).
• Train community volunteers and caregivers to deliver parenting content in Addis Ababa.
• Collaborate closely with Sub-city and Woreda-level Education Offices.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the line manager.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Strong understanding of Early Childhood Development and adult learning principles.
• Experience in developing training manuals and ECD content.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and mentoring skills.
• Strong report writing, documentation, and data analysis skills.
• Proven ability to manage teams and engage with community groups.
• Knowledge of gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches to early education.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work collaboratively with government stakeholders and community organizations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, Educational Planning and Management or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in ECD programming, teacher training, or community-based development projects.
• Experience working in NGO or project-based environments is an asset.
• Familiarity with the Ethiopian education system and working with local government offices is desirable.