Senior Specialist of Early Childhood Initiatives

Position Description 
Full-Time Non-Exempt, Management Role Code MR2
    
Position Overview
The Senior Specialist of Early Childhood Initiatives builds upon the passion and energy of our community to lead projects of Monadnock United Way’s (MUWs) signature early childhood initiatives: Impact Monadnock (IM) and NH’s Early Childhood Region 1 (ECR1). Using collective impact principles, the Senior Specialist brings dedicated community partners together to implement local, regional and statewide activities and projects that improve community conditions for our region’s youngest children and their families. The Senior Specialist has experience and passion for community organizing, communicating with varied audiences and inspiring teams to achieve shared goals so that all children and their families are healthy, learning and thriving.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Senior Manager of Early Childhood Initiatives the Senior Specialist will:

Planning, Facilitation and Program Implementation

• Manage specific programs and activities in the IM Master Plan and ECR1 Strengths and Opportunities Assessment through hands-on field work with teams of volunteers and professionals across multiple sectors as determined by the Senior Manager.
• Serve as the lead facilitator, collaborator and point person for assigned projects and teams. Project examples include:
  • Monadnock Region Childcare Directors’ Group
  • Impact Monadnock Business Ambassadors
  • Engaging local libraries in Pyramid Model framework   
• Facilitate effective communication and inspire action toward common goals within project teams.
• Provide support and Technical Assistance to activities, projects or teams.

Relationships and Communication

• Represent MUW and develop collaborative relationships with assigned local, regional and statewide early childhood impact initiatives in the region and state.
• Implement marketing and outreach activities, such as producing a quarterly newsletter, website content, social media and presentations to stakeholders.
• Coordinate marketing and outreach activities to ensure that messaging, stories, data and successes are shared across the organization and within project teams.

Reporting, Evaluation and Funding

• Create and implement an annual workplan that supports achievement of stated goals for the year.
• Work in collaboration with the MUW staff and evaluation consultants to evaluate and prepare public-facing reports on the impact of MUW’s EC initiatives in our community.
• Support the planning, writing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating of grant-funded projects; including writing required reports to funders.
• Prepare presentations for MUW committees and community members such as the MUW Staff, Impact Task Force, MUW Board and other EC Committees across the State. Present to these groups as assigned.
• Support routine and/or major updates to our EC plans, such as the IM Master Plan and ECR1 Strengths and Opportunities Assessment.
• Participate in professional development as assigned.

Our Vision & Values
The Senior Specialist must model and support the Vision and Values of Monadnock United Way:
Vision
A United community where all are cared for and thriving.

Values

•  Collaborative. We arrive as equal partners, committed to doing good, especially when it’s hard
•  Transparent. We are truthful and honest with ourselves and with the community.
•  Sustainable. We choose paths that strengthen our community now and into the future.
•  Respectful. We are considerate of others’ opinions, position, background and experience.
•  Trust. We center our relationships and actions on openness and honesty. It is the lens for all we do.

Competencies
 

• Leads more complex projects with input from a Manager or Director.
• Develops activities and project plans independently.
• Assists in recruiting team members.
• Delegates tasks to team members, monitors and ensures completion.
• Manages stakeholder expectations effectively.
• Works with Managers to identify and implement process enhancements.
• Takes an expanded role in evaluation and reporting activities.
• Works with Manager to identify and minimize risk.
• Models collaborative teamwork skills.
• Makes decisions within specific guidelines.
• Collaborates effectively showing leadership potential in tasks and projects.

Experience and Qualifications
 

• Bachelor’s degree plus 3+ years’ work experience, or 8+ years relevant work experience, in community organizing, education, social services, health or other related fields.  
• Advanced degree is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, presentation, and written communication skills are required, with an ability to relate to a diverse group of individuals or organizations in an effective manner.
• Experience working in multi-sector collaborations and team building. 
• Project management experience.
• Proven track record of achieving timely results.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Grant writing and monitoring experience a plus.

Salary Range
$42,000 – $45,000 commensurate with experience, full-time at 37.5 hours per week.

Benefits
MUW’s benefits package includes a hybrid work environment with flexible hours to honor work/life balance, Paid Time Off (PTO), holidays, health insurance, retirement plan and disability insurance. 

MUW is committed to be a model of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to promote an inclusive culture where diversity is valued by everyone. Read our policy at: https://www.muw.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-policy . An Equal Opportunity Employer.