The Better Care Network (BCN) is an interagency network facilitating global information exchange and collaboration on the issue of children without adequate family care. BCN is a network guided by a Steering Committee, which includes: Family For Every Child, Firelight Foundation, RELAF, Save the Children, UNICEF, and Displaced Children and Orphans Fund and the Office of HIV/AIDS of USAID. BCN is not an independent legal entity and Save the Children is acting as its fiscal agent. It is administered by a Secretariat (which includes a Director, a Senior Technical Adviser, a Knowledge and Communication Specialist and a Regional Technical and Knowledge Management Specialist for the BCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Initiative) that operates under the guidance and direction of the Steering Committee. The global BCN Secretariat team members are Save the Children employees, and they operate from their office in New York close to UN headquarters. The Regional Technical and Knowledge Management Specialist for Eastern and Southern Africa is employed by Save the Children Regional Office and operates out of Save the Children Rwanda Country office.
BCN’s strategic approach is focused on three strategic pillars: 1) Information exchange; 2) Standards setting and technical guidance; and 3) Proactive leadership/brokerage. BCN supports information exchange through a number of tools, in particular its website and online library of documents, its monthly e-newsletter to a wide network of practitioners, policy makers, donors and service providers, its online Toolkit with practical tools for practitioners, its Working Papers and other technical or advocacy briefs it produces in collaboration with major partners on key issues relating to children’s care. These tools are critical to BCN’s strategic objectives and constitute the primary interface between the organization, its members and other key stakeholders working interested in the issue of children’s care, including the general public. Ensuring BCN’s information platform is as informative, accessible and reliable as possible is therefore critical to the organization fulfilling its mission.
The BCN Knowledge and Communication Specialist will work with the BCN Director and the BCN Senior Technical Adviser to develop communication and outreach material for BCN, web-based tools, using new and innovative solutions to communicate effectively to BCN members and stakeholders relevant developments and good practices in this field. In addition, the BCN Knowledge and Communication Specialist will work with the BCN Senior Technical Adviser to produce the BCN Newsletter, including producing content and supporting format changes to ensure BCN’s key knowledge management tools are aligned in approach and content.
Essential Duties, Responsibilities and Impact
Knowledge Management 40%
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Lead on the day-to-day operation of BCN’s knowledge management platform, in particular the BCN website, the development and management of information under the new web- based information system, and communication with vendors supporting the website as well as BCN’s IT needs..
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Lead on the development and posting of content on the BCN website including drafting, editing and updating of resource materials and content for the BCN website and online Practitioners Toolkit, in collaboration with the BCN Senior Technical Adviser and with the support of the BCN Intern.
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Support ongoing development of the BCN website functions, organization and design to maximize its accessibility and efficient functioning and respond to BCN’s evolving needs as he leading resource for information on children without adequate family care.
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Work with the Regional Technical and Knowledge Management Specialist for Eastern and Southern Africa to ensure documentation and learning from the initiative is shared and communicated effectively to the initiative’s stakeholders and the broader BCN Membership.
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Assist in tracking use of BCN resources, materials and support and analyzing web traffic and use to better understand the information needs of users.
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Lead on the development and distribution of the BCN Newsletter in collaboration with the BCN Senior Technical Adviser, including the collection, vetting and summarizing of resources for inclusion in the BCN newsletter.
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Support research and information collection to facilitate the preparation of standardized responses to BCN member requests for advice and assistance concerning the care and protection of children.
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Facilitate the design and production of educational and training tools to support effective dissemination of alternative care standards, good practices and lessons learnt in the field, in collaboration with the Senior Technical Adviser.
Communication and Outreach 40%
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Develop and implement a communication and outreach strategy, including the development of communication materials and tools, using new and innovative solutions through social media and other web based tools such as e-learning modules, webinars, etc. , in collaboration with the BCN Director and the BCN Senior Technical Adviser, to communicate effectively to BCN members and stakeholder’s developments and learning in this field.
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Lead on the dissemination of relevant information, events, news on a regular basis through BCN’s social media platform and the BCN website and facilitate information sharing and cross learning between stakeholders that use this platform.
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Lead on developing the Network's membership by managing its listserve and outreaching to other potential stakeholders, networks and agencies to recruit new members and grow BCN’s outreach capacity.
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Support the organization of events related to care issues, identifying appropriate venues, drafting meeting agenda, compiling relevant background information, ensuring good note taking, drafting minutes and action points for circulation and following up specific points of action pledged by members at the meetings.
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Lead on the development and use of a uniform and consistent brand for BCN throughout its publications and communications, including use of logos, posters, training materials and others.
Other Activities 20%
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Participate in developing, implementing, and reporting on BCN’s annual work plan and budget.
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Contribute to the development of BCN’s strategic plans and reviews.
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Support other operational and administrative processes such as documenting existing operating procedures, in particular in relation to the new website and newsletter, but also supporting the development of the internal shared drive, and BCN’s internal and external information.
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Facilitate the development and management of organizational records and relevant databases.
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In consultation with the Director, carry out such other activities as may be appropriate.
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Deputize for the Senior Technical Adviser, when appropriate, in consultation with the BCN Director.
Background and Experience
Required:
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A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in the provison of services, knowledge management, and advocacy regarding the care and protection of vulnerable children and families, including relevant experience in at least one developing country context.
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Experience of outreach and communication with multiple partners in diverse contexts and across organisations and stakeholders
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Experience with web-based platforms and using information systems.
Strongly Desired:
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Master’s Degree preferred in relevant field, including social work, international development, international human rights law or another related discipline.
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Experience working in a care setting in both developed and developing country context and working with technical networks.
Technical Skills
Required:
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Familiarity and experience with web-based content and management systems is essential, including experience in the development of material/content for publication on a website and/or newsletter.
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Demonstrated understanding of key issues regarding child rights, child care and alternative care issues at country or regional/global levels, child protection and social welfare.
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Demonstrated skills mobilizing collaboration and coordination among organizations and individuals, particularly related to networks, clusters, and other similar groups.
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Demonstrated ability to work independently and within a small team, and to solve complex problems.
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Demonstrated strong communication skills and the ability to communicate (written, spoken) between and across a diverse set of actors
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Strategic planning and organizational development skills
Desired:
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Experience working in a care setting in developed and developing country context and working with technical networks.
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Additional language skills; French or Spanish would be a particularly strong asset.
The position is based in New York, NY (USA).