Program Unit Manager – National Vacancy 290 views0 applications

The Organization

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization 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 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Purpose: 
Reporting to the Head of Programs Implementation, the Program Unit Manager (PUM) is required to represent Plan Egypt at the PU level with local government, CSO partners and other stakeholders as required.

Oversee and manage the administration of the PU office ensuring that the office facilities are available and properly equipped for efficient work by the program Implementation team.

Dimensions of Role:

• Lead the Program Unit (PU) team in full compliance with local law and Plan policies & procedures.
• Ensure that Plan Egypt’s relevant policies are embedded within the daily operations of the PU.
• Lead the design and monitor the implementation of the PU’s operating budget and in compliance with the overall budget assigned for the PA in particular fiscal year.
• Work closely with the relevant grant coordinators/managers, country office programme team and HOPI to ensure timely and quality delivery of all institutional grants in the PU.
• Reports regularly to the HOPI on the implementation of the approved PU Annual plan.
• Lead the development and monitor the implementation of a PU-based strategy to implement the ten-commitments of SP and in line with Plan Egypt’s sponsorship overall plan strategy.
• To ensure full adherence to Plan Egypt security protocols and procedures at the PU level.

Typical Responsibilities – Key End Results of Position:

• Provide strategic leadership and guidance to the PU team to achieve the targets of the annual plans.
• Provide day to day management support and oversight to the Area Supervisors and other direct reports in the PU team.
• Ensure that the implemented projects within the PU are contributing to the achievement of Plan Egypt’s annual targets in terms of cost recovery.
• Develop the appropriate work mechanisms ensuring that the relevant functions within the PU (finance, administration, programming, sponsorship) are working in tandem leading to the achievement of the planned objectives set out in the approved annual plan.
• Oversee the implementation of the PU’s projects and ensure their alignment with the approved logical frameworks and programme quality standards.
• Lead the development of the PU annual plan and ensure the adherence to the agreed on CCCDA quality standards.
• Develop the required quality checks within the PU ensuring that the relevant deliverables are checked effectively and do meet the requirements of the donors.
• Develop the required processes to ensure that the local communities are actively participating in all phases of projects development.
• Ensure that Plan Egypt’s relevant policies and in particular gender equality and child protection are embedded within programming and the PU team is supported to report against their implementation.
• Build and foster relationships with local level government officials and community partners to promote Plan Egypt’s direction, programs and activities.
• Oversee the implementation of a detailed PU-based advocacy plan of action in tandem with Plan Egypt’s advocacy strategy.
• Develop the appropriate actions to ensure that Plan Egypt’s partners at the governorate level are enabled and enough capacitated to work together to achieve the planned results.
• Create opportunities and platforms for the Youth Advisory Boards at the PU levels to contribute to the internal decision making processes of Plan Egypt and local government as well.
• Develop the required phase in/out plan of actions ensuring the PU caseload is intact.
• Lead the development of the PU-annual budget ensuring that Plan Egypt’s cost recovery policy is adhered to.
• Report regularly to the HOPI on the actual program expenditure against the planned and with the appropriate justification for the variance if and when required.
• Oversee and manage the administration of the PU office ensuring that the office facilities are available and properly equipped for efficient work by the program unit team.
• Contribute to the development of team members by setting individual objectives and providing feedback of performance versus objectives to maximize levels of individual performance.
• Provide guidance and support to team members ensuring that the PU-team is equipped with the necessary resources, tools, skills and supported to bring this into their day to day performance.
• Develop the required actions to keep the PU-team informed of, motivated and committed to the changes within Plan Egypt and international as well.
• Develop the necessary strategies to nurture a –performance culture within the PU and in line with Plan Egypt’s approved HR policies and procedures.
• Ensure that the PU-staff are informed of and prepared for professional growth opportunities.

Communications and Working Relationships:

Internal:

• Program department  to consult or seek support on technical/policies related to program implementation (High contact)
• Regular contact with other PU Managers for networking purposes (high contact)
• Governorate and Local partners to assess progress and agree on the appropriated mitigation strategies (high contact).

External:

• Partners at governorate and local level: Program Managers at other INGOs and Government representatives to share best practices and to identify/implement opportunities for collaboration e.g. advocacy, research, etc.

Knowledge, Skills, Behaviours, and Experience Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

Knowledge

• A degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies or related discipline.
• A relevant post graduate qualification is desirable.
• A minimum of 3-5years managerial experience at a similar level preferably in an NGO environment.
• Understanding of integrated development issues and critical analysis of child poverty
• Knowledge of strategic planning processes and  theories of child-rights programming
• Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges, opportunities and implications to community development

Skills

• Proven skills in the development and management of effective and motivated teams
• Reports writing skills.
• Proven analytical skills in isolating priorities and tackling them
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Good communication and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to communicate in English (verbal and written).

Behaviors (Plan International’s Values in Practice)

We are open and accountable

• Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
• Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
• Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
• Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
• Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people.

We strive for lasting impact

• Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
• Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
• Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
• Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well

Physical Environment and Demands:

• Typically office environment with at least 40% travel: to the program area locations, Country Office to attend scheduled meetings etc.

Level of Contact with Children:

• The position will be based at the Program Unit and level of contact with children is medium