The Organisation
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.
We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.
Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.
We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.
We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years, and are now active in more than 75 countries.
ROLE PURPOSE
Plan International Ethiopia is looking for an Education Content Development and Adaptation Specialist for a five-year project, “PlayMatters”, funded by the LEGO Foundation. This position will be a part of the larger PlayMatters initiative to increase play-based learning opportunities for nearly 1 million pre-primary and primary school aged refugee and host community children impacted by the humanitarian crises in East Africa and living in Ethiopia and Uganda. This project seeks to build children’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical and creative skills through play in their homes, schools, and communities and will be implemented in partnership with War Child, Plan International, Ubongo, Behavioural Insights Team and Innovations for Poverty Action.
The Education Content Development and Adaptation Specialist will be responsible for ensuring that PlayMatters consortium and PLAN Ethiopia staff identify, engage, and influence key education stakeholders in Ethiopia that are responsible for and engaged in promoting learning outcomes for refugee and local children ages 3 to 12. This includes collaboration with government, UN and other humanitarian coordination decision makers, education implementing partners, and large-scale development initiatives to improve learning through play.
The Education Content Development and Adaptation Specialist will report to the country level Project Lead and work closely with the regional content development/adaptation team and the to develop/adapt content and test developed content and approaches for teachers, parents and children. S/he will also support to map existing teaching and learning materials for preschool and primary school children in Ethiopia and establish a framework for Learning through Play (LtP) competencies and quality LtP standards. In doing so, the Education Content Development and Adaptation Specialist will ensure the type of engagement in design and implementation vital to achieve joint priorities and objectives of providing play-based learning opportunities for all children.
Accountabilities and Main Work Activities
Accountable for ensuring that PlayMatters consortium and PLAN Ethiopia staff identify, engage, and influence key education stakeholders in Ethiopia that are responsible for and engaged in promoting learning outcomes for refugee and local children ages 3 to 12.
Programme and project design and influence (80%)
- Based on behavioral insights mapping and human centered design research, support development of and lead localization of content for teachers, parents and childrens
- Report and prototype samples of different content areas and delivery mechanisms for teachers, parents, and children;
- Develop and lead implementation of rapid and iterative testing for developed content and approaches
- Engage government and humanitarian coordination leads, implementing partners, teachers, parents and children through structured adaptation processes
- Develop/adapt training content for teachers in refugee and refugee host communities through participatory and consultative process involving local teacher education colleges and other education partners.
- Deliver a TOT to prepare trainers from PlayMatters, other education service providers and the government to conduct trainings with teachers and caregivers in collaboration with teacher education colleges.
- Support the monitoring of quality/fidelity of these trainings in collaboration with the MEAL staff at local level
- Develop/adapt content and key messages on LtP targeting parent/caregivers and dissemination strategy to reach wider audiences
- Establish a framework for LtP competencies and quality LtP standards;
- Develop samples and templates of content for teachers, parents, and children on LtP
- Update key messages and communications materials on play-based learning to reflect the Ethiopian context targeting refugees and host communities and update as the context evolves
Planning Strategy and Policy (10%)
- Establish links and good relationships with relevant government authorities, NGOs, academic and research institutions and the media, in the area of Education and ECCD to draw information and knowledge for program efficiency and effectiveness.
Partnership and resource mobilisation (10%)
- Periodically collect information on information about other organizations working within the region to gain institution knowledge of the environment.
- In support of the regional manager, manage the partnership in a holistic and reciprocal manner.
- Make it their business to know about other organization in the region.
- Seeks opportunities for different kinds of partnership for enhanced quality program implementation.
- Provide support to partner staff, coaching for results and support to the Education and ECCD thematic area team as well as in their individual development and performance management.
- Facilitates communication and interaction between partners/collaborators and Program Area finance team.
Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI)
- Demonstrate commitment to Plan’s child protection policy through implementing the policy in its entirety, and report any actual or potential risk situations following the reporting procedures, being aware of abuse and risks to children, being vigilant, becoming familiar with the Child Protection Policy.
- Raise children’s rights/protection awareness and important of gender equality and respect to diversity within Plan and amongst partners and community members.
- Child protection and gender equality policies are understood by the staff and partners.
- Ensure equal participation and benefit of boys and girls and children with disabilities in all phases of programme/ project implementation.
Technical expertise, skills and knowledge
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications/ experience essential:
- Advanced degree from an accredited university in education, curriculum development, or related field;
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in content/curriculum development/adaptation, testing and training;
- Experience teaching in ECD and/or Primary School preferred
- Experience in complex emergencies or post-conflict settings, with experience working in a difficult security environment.
- Proven track record of and knowledge of engaging with government priorities, systems, and structure;
- Proven success in developing educational/training content and delivery;
- Strong communication skills, both oral and written;
- Proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database, internet).
- Knowledge of the ECCD and Education curriculum, policies and teaching content
- In-depth knowledge of project cycle management and child centred community development programming
- Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges and opportunities and implications to community development
- Knowledge of effective participatory Monitoring, Evaluation and Research systems and processes
Qualifications/ experience desirable:
- Passion for feminist principles, mission driven work and personal values aligned with Plan International.
- Commitment to working transparently and with integrity.
- Inclusive and empowering approach to leadership and project management.
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills, natural ability to manage diverse opinions and agendas, finding win-win solutions in a respectful manner.
- Demonstrated creativity and willingness to innovate.
- Flexible and adaptable work style to respond to an evolving context.
- Proven leadership, inter-personal and cross-cultural skills, and ability to build and motivate teams.
- Ability to work under pressure, prioritize and meet deadlines.
Languages required
- Proficiency in English required. All donor reports, deliverables and communication will be in English.
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
- Knowledge of the ECCD and Education curriculum, policies and teaching content
- In-depth knowledge of project cycle management and child centred community development programming
- Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges and opportunities and implications to community development
- Knowledge of effective participatory Monitoring, Evaluation and Research systems and processes
Plan International’s Values in Practice
We are open and accountable
We create a climate of trust inside and outside the organisation by being open, honest and transparent. We hold ourselves and others to account for the decisions we make and for our impact on others, while doing what we say we will do.
We strive for lasting impact
We strive to achieve significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, and to secure equality for girls. We challenge ourselves to be bold, courageous, responsive, focused and innovative.
We work well together
We succeed by working effectively with others, inside and outside the organisation, including our sponsors and donors. We actively support our colleagues, helping them to achieve their goals. We come together to create and implement solutions in our teams, across Plan International, with children, girls, young people, communities and our partners.
We are inclusive and empowering
We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge inequality in our programmes and our workplace. We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.
Location: Addis Ababa with frequent travel to Afar, Benishangul and Gambella
Type of Role: Education
Reports to: LEGO PM Project Lead
Grade: D1
Closing Date: November 13, 2022
Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.
We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.
We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.
Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.
