Program Support Specialist III - SEC

Location: Chipata
Reports to: Program Support Manager
Travel Requirement: Up to 20%, including visits to remote/rural locations

Job Purpose

The Program Support Specialist – Survival and Early Childhood (SEC) provides subject matter expertise to ensure Frontline Church Partners (FCP’s) are equipped to holistically support pregnant mothers, caregivers, and children up to age five. This includes delivering age-appropriate interventions, strengthening child development strategies, and improving maternal and early childhood outcomes through integrated programming aligned with Compassion's vision and strategy.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Planning and Support

• Serve as a subject matter expert to the National Leadership Team in the development and execution of multi-year strategic growth plans for the Survival program.
• Contribute to the national strategy by aligning program goals with global trends and local context in maternal and early childhood development.
• Collaborate with Partnership Facilitators (PFs) to support the inclusion of relevant Survival and Early Childhood Development activities in the Facilitation Work Plan.
• Participate in identifying FCPs for Survival and Sponsorship Launch Interventions and home-based Church Planting Initiatives.

2. Program Design & Implementation

• Evaluate and improve development opportunities for caregivers and children aged 0–5.
• Recommend contextualized, age-appropriate curricula and programming tailored to local needs.
• Equip frontline churches with the knowledge to assess Child Development and Protection Rights (CDPR) for the 1–2 and 3–5 age groups.
• Provide technical assistance to FCPs and PFs in the effective use of Survival and Child Support funds.
• Apply proficiency in the Nurturing Care Framework (NCF) to design, implement, and monitor interventions that promote health, development, and well-being.
• Design and support implementation of evidence-based health interventions that promote optimal development, disease prevention, and child well-being.

3. Capacity Building & Cross-functional Collaboration

• Partner with internal specialists (Health, Learning & Development, Resource Mobilization, and Child Development Support) to strengthen holistic program delivery.
• Provide expert coaching and training to PFs and Program Trainers to ensure effective support to FCPs.
• Contextualize global tools and resources to enhance learning and application at the FCP level.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

• Collaborate with Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) teams to regularly analyze program data and identify trends, gaps, and best practices.
• Recommend actions such as capacity-building, curriculum adaptation, or pilot initiatives to improve child, caregiver, and maternal outcomes.
• Use feedback from FCPs and data insights to inform program innovation and continuous improvement.

Faith and Cultural Commitments

• Maintain a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and act as a consistent witness for Christ both within and outside the organization.
• Uphold Compassion’s cultural behaviors and model Christ-like character in all interactions.
• Commit to child protection, including reporting concerns and adhering to Compassion’s Code of Conduct and Statement of Commitment to Child Protection.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field such as Public Health, Nursing, Midwifery, Early Childhood Development, Pediatric Health Education, Social Work, or a related discipline.
• Equivalent education, training, or certification may be considered as a substitute, subject to thorough evaluation.

Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional experience in public health, maternal and child health, or early childhood development.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing interventions that support young children's holistic development and caregiver well-being.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment, with flexibility for remote/field work when needed.
• Physical demands include sitting, standing, and/or walking for up to 8 hours per day.

Licenses and Certifications

• None required