Early Childhood Systems Consultant- Region III- REMOTE

ICF’s Early Education Services Line of Business seeks an ACF Region III CCDF Systems Consultant to mobilize and/or deliver training and technical assistance (TA) to Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) grantees (states and territories) to assist with implementing the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and improving the accessibility of high quality child care and the development of comprehensive early childhood systems. Includes working with Federal and state-level partners, such as the Office of Child Care (OCC), Head Start, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau’s Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Initiatives, child welfare, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, State Departments of Education, and state Early Learning Advisory Councils. Training/TA services may be delivered onsite or through virtual platforms.

This position is based within ACF Federal Region III and requires up to 30% travel to provide technical assistance in states and territories identified in assigned region and national meetings.

The ideal candidate will have both a background in and experience with early childhood education (ECE) systems at the state or national level, including extensive experience supporting the implementation of CCDBG in States and Territories.   

Key Responsibilities:

Communication, Collaboration, and Client Focus

• Support OCC designated priorities and special projects, including development of TA materials, data briefs and reports
• Build strong, positive relationships with team members for ongoing communication, collaborative planning, and shared problem solving to meet the needs of clients, states, and territories.
• Build a strong, positive relationship and connection with OCC regional office staff and regional CCDF Lead Agency staff, for ongoing communication, collaborative planning, and shared problem solving.
• Build strong, positive relationships with Child Care Technical Assistance Network (CCTAN) partners to ensure all States, Territories and Tribes benefit from the wide range of training and TA services funded by OCC to support the entire child care sector.
• Collaborate closely with peers and federal staff in the planning, provision, and coordination of training and/or TA to CCDF grantees and other primary audiences. Training/TA may be delivered onsite or through virtual platforms.
• Develop, connect, and facilitate peer linkages between states and/or territories.

Expertise and Scope:

• Provide and/or mobilize technical assistance and/or training to states and territories with fidelity to the established TA planning and implementation protocols.
• Develop and maintain collaborative iterative TA plans for each state or territory within assigned region.
• When appropriate, connect training/TA with information services project staff, OCC-funded technical assistance partners, and/or other TA partners.
• Participate in regional or national meetings and conferences.
• Assist in the planning of CCDF grantees meeting; communicate with states to encourage presentations and participation in the convening; facilitate breakout sessions and regional/state team meetings. May include agenda development, note-taking and other informational requests from RO staff.
• Maintain detailed data profile for each state in assigned region to support knowledge of child care systems change and CCDF implementation.
• Support tasks related to the design and implementation of the OCC TA Needs Assessment
• Research and develop timely responses to state, territory, or Tribal requests and create written documents in approved formats.
• Contribute to the development of group technical assistance opportunities focused on facets of CCDF implementation and early childhood systems building.
• Plan for and deliver tailored, individualized technical assistance to CCDF Administrators in assigned region.
• Facilitate peer linkages between States and/or Territories.
• Assist in the planning of CCDF grantees meeting; communicate with states to encourage presentations and participation in the convening; facilitate breakout sessions and regional/state team meetings.
• Adapt work responsibilities to ensure Regional and Central Office client requests (within contract scope) are addressed.
• Utilize a broad array of technical assistance approaches based on the need for the specific situation.

Communication and Performance

• Leverage specialized depth and breadth of expertise and apply a broad perspective to identify solutions to complex tasks.
• Lead the development and delivery of complex tasks and deliverables in response to OCC high priority information requests.
• Work with multiple early childhood education partners as a participant, content advisor, TA provider, a