SEARCH RESULTS

This piece explores why community investment should go beyond delivering social outcomes to intentionally creating work opportunities for young people. It highlights how embedding youth employment into project delivery can strengthen communities, support families, and help address the country’s youth unemployment crisis.

At Save the Children South Africa, we believe that meaningful change happens when young people are not only beneficiaries of programmes but active partners in shaping solutions. Through our Skills to Succeed and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) programmes, of young people were equipped to make informed choices, build their confidence and access opportunities that support their future.

Human Rights Month may have ended, but the values it celebrates, dignity, equality and freedom, must endure every day. These rights, enshrined in our Constitution, are meant to protect everyone. Yet for many children in South Africa, they remain out of reach.

Save the Children South Africa (SCSA) is establishing a pool of qualified and experienced Facilitators, Assessors and Moderators to support the delivery of accredited Early Childhood Development (ECD) qualifications and skills programmes through its QCTO-accredited training initiatives. Occupational Certificate: Early Childhood Development PractitionerSAQA QUAL IDQUALIFICATION TITLE97542Occupational Certificate: Early Childhood Development PractitionerSuccessful candidates will be contracted on an as-needed basis to support training, assessment and moderation activities across South Africa.1. Facilitator – ECD Qualifications and Skills ProgrammesPurpose of the RoleThe Facilitator will be responsible for delivering accredited ECD training programmes and supporting learners to acquire the knowledge, skills and workplace competencies required to successfully complete QCTO qualifications and skills programmes.Key ResponsibilitiesFacilitate accredited ECD learning programmes in line with approved curricula and learning materials.Prepare lesson plans, training schedules and learner support activities.Deliver learner-centred, participatory and practical training sessions.Monitor learner attendance, participation and progress.Provide academic support, coaching and mentoring to learners.Maintain accurate learner records and training documentation.Ensure compliance with QCTO, SETA and SCSA quality assurance requirements.Submit training reports and supporting evidence as required.Minimum RequirementsRelevant qualification in Early Childhood Development, Education or related field.Accredited Facilitator qualification.Registration as a constituent Facilitator with the relevant Quality Assurance Partner (where applicable).Minimum 3 years' experience facilitating accredited ECD programmes.Strong understanding of QCTO and occupational qualification requirements.Excellent facilitation, communication and learner support skills.Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel.2. Assessor – ECD Qualifications and Skills ProgrammesPurpose of the RoleThe Assessor will be responsible for conducting fair, valid, reliable and consistent assessments of learners enrolled in accredited ECD qualifications and skills programmes in accordance with QCTO assessment requirements.Key ResponsibilitiesConduct formative and summative assessments against qualification requirements.Evaluate learner portfolios of evidence and workplace learning evidence.Provide constructive feedback to learners.Ensure assessment decisions are valid, reliable, fair and consistent.Complete all assessment documentation and records accurately.Identify and address assessment gaps and learner support needs.Participate in assessment standardisation and quality assurance processes.Maintain compliance with QCTO and SCSA quality management systems.Minimum RequirementsRelevant qualification in Early Childhood Development, Education or related field.Registered Assessor qualification.Registration as an Assessor for relevant ECD qualifications or occupational certificates.Minimum 3 years' experience assessing accredited ECD programmes.Sound knowledge of outcomes-based assessment principles and QCTO requirements.Strong report-writing and documentation skills.Ability to work independently and meet quality assurance standards.3. Moderator – ECD Qualifications and Skills ProgrammesPurpose of the RoleThe Moderator will be responsible for ensuring the quality, consistency, fairness and integrity of assessment processes and assessment decisions across accredited ECD qualifications and skills programmes.Key ResponsibilitiesConduct internal moderation of assessment processes and learner evidence.Verify the validity, reliability and consistency of assessment decisions.Review assessor practices and provide recommendations for improvement.Ensure compliance with QCTO quality assurance requirements and organisational policies.Prepare moderation reports and quality assurance documentation.Participate in verification and external quality assurance processes.Support continuous improvement of assessment and moderation systems.Provide guidance and mentorship to assessors where required.Minimum RequirementsRelevant qualification in Early Childhood Development, Education or related field.Registered Moderator qualification.Registration as a Moderator for relevant ECD qualifications or occupational certificates.Minimum 3 years' experience moderating accredited ECD programmes.Strong understanding of QCTO quality assurance, moderation and verification processes.Excellent analytical, report-writing and quality assurance skills.Ability to maintain impartiality and high professional standards.General Requirements for All RolesDemonstrated commitment to children's rights and safeguarding.Understanding of the South African ECD sector, National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and ECD regulatory environment.Experience working with NGOs, community-based organisations and ECD centres will be an advantage.Strong organisational and administrative skills.Ability to travel and work in diverse community settings.Commitment to SCSA's values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.Child SafeguardingSave the Children South Africa has zero tolerance for child abuse, exploitation and neglect. Successful candidates will be required to comply with SCSA's Child Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct and screening requirements, including criminal record and Child Protection Register checks.Location1. Northern Cape, Gasegonyana and Tsantsabane Municipality2. Eastern Cape, Kouga Municipality3. Mpumalanaga, Enhlanzeni District4. Limpopo, Polokwane Municipality

Save the Children South Africa (SCSA) proudly celebrates six remarkable young people from our networks who sat for their matric exams in 2025, and every single one passed, with several earning distinctions. Their academic success is a testament to resilience, determination, and the support of families, communities, and partners who believe in children’s rights.

Become a regular giver and save a child’s life today.

At Save the Children South Africa (SCSA), we are committed to creating a world where every child has the chance to thrive. In 2022, we embarked on a powerful partnership with Clarins to address the pressing issue of food insecurity in Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres. Implemented across multiple provinces, including Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Gauteng, our partnership is bringing vital support to vulnerable children across these regions. Child hunger affects millions of children in South Africa, with far-reaching consequences for their health, education, and future prospects.

By Gugu Xaba – African women have long been at the forefront of philanthropy in their communities, exemplifying “love in action” through courage, cultural integrity, and care. At a recent Adɔyɛ Dialogue hosted by Wits University’s Centre for African Philanthropy and Social Investment, we celebrated iconic women leaders – like Dr. Barbara Masekela and Ms. Sibongile Mkhabela – whose legacies light the way. Their example inspires an Adɔyɛ (an Akan word meaning “love in action”) ethos that views philanthropy as an expression of care, solidarity, and service. It was a great honour to join them in conversation and reflect on how African women’s purpose-driven leadership is transforming society.

Virgile Madua KIKAYA is a seasoned public health leader and program manager with more than 20 years of progressively responsible experience in MNCH – FP, HIV/TB, Malaria, NTDs, Global Health Security (GHS) and program management across several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Dr Kikaya serves currently as Jhpiego Country Director in DRC and its Global Technical Director for GHS. Throughout his career, Dr Kikaya has demonstrated leadership, innovation and program implementation successes in introducing new public health approaches. Dr Kikaya work includes the introduction and expansion of community-based treatments for NTDs and Malaria in pregnancy, of HIV prevention services for males including VMMC and of competency based maternal and neonatal capacity building around day of birth. More recently, Virgile has been focusing on improving countries capacities for International Health Regulations and GHS. Virgile’s work has been published in peer review articles and highlighted in various media. Dr Kikaya passion remains improving locally led public health initiatives and contributing to social development on the continent. Dr Kikaya has collaborated and worked successfully with various donors and UN technical agencies including WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF, USAID, US-CDC, the Global Fund, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNITAID and GAVI. Virgile obtained a medical degree from the University of Lubumbashi, DRC, a Master’s in Public Health from the Free University of Brussels, Belgium, and a Master of Science in International Development and Management from Lund University, Sweden. Virgile is a board member of the Global Health Security Network, the convener of the Global Health Security Conference.