Project Officer – ECD Systems Strengthening Programme

About the role

The Project Officer will lead day‑to‑day implementation of the Kouga Early Childhood Development (ECD) Systems Strengthening Programme. The role supports a community‑led, evidence‑driven approach to improve quality, inclusivity and sustainability of ECD services across the municipality.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate implementation of all project activities against approved plans, budgets and timelines, including logistics, training events and stakeholder engagements.
• Lead comprehensive ECD centre assessments, develop improvement plans and support centres through registration and compliance processes with the Department of Basic Education.
• Deliver capacity‑building programmes on the National Curriculum Framework, emergent literacy, numeracy, safeguarding, health and nutrition, and facilitate mentoring and Communities of Practice.
• Oversee implementation of Early Learning Outcomes Measure (ELOM) assessments, data collection and use of child development data to enhance teaching and learning.
• Organise caregiver learn‑through‑play sessions, strengthen ECD centre committees and promote community mobilisation for early learning.
• Build and maintain partnerships with municipal officials, DBE, NGOs and community structures, representing Save the Children in local forums.
• Support monitoring, verification and reporting of project data, maintain beneficiary databases and contribute to donor and internal reports.

Required profile

• Diploma in Early Childhood Development, Education or a related field.
• 3–5 years’ experience in project implementation within the development sector, preferably in ECD programmes.
• Proven experience facilitating training, mentoring and capacity‑building initiatives.
• Knowledge of ECD centre registration and compliance processes (advantageous).
• Strong project management, planning and coordination abilities.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and report‑writing skills.
• Commitment to child rights, safeguarding and inclusion.

Required skills

• Computer literacy
• Data management