Education Program Officer - Early Childhood Development

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 360,000 - 480,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Professional development opportunities

Competitive salary and benefits

Job summary

Placements24, on behalf of a well-established foundation focused on improving educational opportunities for young children, is seeking an Education Program Officer (ECD) to lead and support programs in Polokwane, Limpopo. The role blends remote work with essential in-person engagement across the province.

You will collaborate with government departments, NGOs, and educators to ensure quality delivery, provide training, monitor progress, and advocate for strong early learning practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Early Childhood Development, Psychology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in program management or coordination within the ECD sector.
• In-depth knowledge of ECD principles, pedagogy, and national curriculum frameworks.
• Experience in training and capacity building for educators and ECD practitioners.
• Strong understanding of the social and educational landscape of the Limpopo province.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and facilitation skills.
• Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and report writing.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid setting, balancing remote responsibilities with on-site visits.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the implementation and monitoring of ECD programs in selected communities within the Limpopo province.
• Provide technical support and guidance to ECD practitioners, facilitators, and center managers.
• Develop and deliver training workshops on ECD best practices, curriculum development, and child safety.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government education departments, NGOs, and community-based organizations.
• Monitor program progress, collect data, and prepare regular reports on activities, outcomes, and challenges.
• Facilitate community engagement and mobilize local participation in ECD initiatives.
• Ensure that programs adhere to national ECD policies and quality standards.
• Identify emerging needs and opportunities for program expansion and improvement.
• Contribute to the development of new program strategies and proposals.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Facilitation

Data collection

Report writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education or related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a well-established foundation dedicated to improving educational opportunities for young children, is looking for an experienced Education Program Officer specializing in Early Childhood Development (ECD) . Based in Polokwane, Limpopo , this role will involve managing and supporting ECD programs within the region. You will work closely with local partners, educators, and community stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation and quality of ECD initiatives. This position requires a blend of programmatic expertise, strong interpersonal skills, and a deep understanding of child development principles. The role will operate on a hybrid model, combining remote work flexibility with essential in-person engagement in the Limpopo province. We seek a passionate advocate for early learning to join our dedicated team.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the implementation and monitoring of ECD programs in selected communities within the Limpopo province.


• Provide technical support and guidance to ECD practitioners, facilitators, and center managers.


• Develop and deliver training workshops on ECD best practices, curriculum development, and child safety.


• Build and maintain strong relationships with government education departments, NGOs, and community-based organizations.


• Monitor program progress, collect data, and prepare regular reports on activities, outcomes, and challenges.


• Facilitate community engagement and mobilize local participation in ECD initiatives.


• Ensure that programs adhere to national ECD policies and quality standards.


• Identify emerging needs and opportunities for program expansion and improvement.


• Contribute to the development of new program strategies and proposals.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Early Childhood Development, Psychology, or a related field.


• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in program management or coordination within the ECD sector.


• In-depth knowledge of ECD principles, pedagogy, and national curriculum frameworks.


• Experience in training and capacity building for educators and ECD practitioners.


• Strong understanding of the social and educational landscape of the Limpopo province.


• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and facilitation skills.


• Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and report writing.


• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid setting, balancing remote responsibilities with on-site visits.


• Proficiency in relevant local languages (e.g., Sepedi) is highly desirable.

Benefits

• This role offers a competitive salary and benefits package.


• You will have the opportunity to contribute significantly to the early development of children in the Limpopo province.


• The hybrid work model provides flexibility while ensuring crucial on-the-ground engagement.


• Our client offers professional development opportunities and a supportive working environment.


• Join a team committed to nurturing the potential of every child through quality early education in Polokwane and surrounding areas.