Plan International is an independent non-profit organization that advances children’s well-being and equality for girls. Working in building powerful partnerships for children for over 75 years and present in 70 countries, Plan International strives for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children while working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners. Plan International Ethiopia is looking Programme Quality Lead to be based Country Office, Addis Ababa .
The post holder strategically manages and leads the Program Quality team. She/he provides strategic program leadership to the program Quality team in the development and execution of the country’s strategic plans to deliver high quality programmes in accordance with Plan’s Child Centered Community Development (CCCD) approach, Plan’s Global Strategy and Programme Framework. She/he ensures that the quality of the program Quality work carried out is assured throughout the entire project cycle and that field program implementation is undertaken efficiently and effectively. She/he also ensures integration and synergies between the program Quality functions and other thematic Country Programs. The post holder is the member of Country Leadership Team (CLT).
Roles and Responsabilities:
Financial measures or statistics relevant to post such as budget; list of direct and indirect reports
- Supervises the Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinators / Specialist at Country Office and at Program Unit levels.
- Directly manages the Country Program budget at the Country Office, but also oversees the management and utilisation of the Monitoring and Evaluation in all Program Units. The post holder will have delegated financial authority for expenditures up to 3 million USD per year.
- Responsible for developing, implementing and communicating the results of quality program initiatives, systems and processes at different levels of the organization. The post-holder will be required to work with all CP leaders and program coordinators/specialists to ensure that PIE has effective and efficient M&E system in place, that mainstreaming of the cross cutting issue is addressed and programme quality is properly assessed.
- Provides managerial and technical leadership in the development of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (MER) Plan.
- Support the development of new Country Strategic Plan (CSP) in line with the Global CSP guidelines.
- Participate in the different global and regional Programme Quality Frameworks and provide inputs from the country
- Key components of the position include portfolio development, knowledge management, advocacy and networking, monitoring and evaluation, developing and strengthening partnerships and mainstreaming of child centred community development approach.
- Ensures smooth teamwork within the Program Quality Country Program team, and effective linkages with other Country Program teams, while ensuring that the required staff capacities, competencies and skills are in place.
Typical Responsibilities – Key end Results of the Position:
“What” is done and “why”, but not “how”; include indicators for success
Program design and management
- Provide leadership and oversight in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all programme Quality functions; assess the outputs, outcomes and impact of program interventions and activities.
- Coordinates the documentation, generation and sharing of lessons learnt and best practices from CO and PA MER activities for continuous program improvement
- Ensure the development of standard TORs and manage consultants and evaluation partners to ensure that commissioned evaluations are carried out to a high, international standard and successfully completed.
- Lead the analysis, synthesis and dissemination of global evaluation findings, including maintaining a database of evaluation findings and responses.
- Provide guidance on Plan’s corporate system (APPR, CPPR and SAP business) to PA and CO program department team.
- The Programme Quality lead develops program and project implementation guidelines and provides program quality assurance through operational monitoring and evaluation.
- The post holder participates in the development of programs and projects to ensure that appropriate and adequate monitoring, evaluation and research components are incorporated
- Lead the design and implementation of the Programme Quality functions and its component projects and initiatives, ensuring consistency with the agreed Country Program strategic goals and objectives as well as high quality program delivery.
- Ensure mainstreaming of programme Quality in all other Country Programs, developing ways to improve and strengthen implementation of the Plan’s CCCD approach.
- Ensure appropriate and effective M&E system is in place, consistent with established benchmarks, plans and organizational policies and in close cooperation with all CP leads.
- Lead the programme Quality team to ensure quality and timely reporting and documenting of program activities including preparation of quarterly/annual program progress reports;
- Ensure that all proposals have clear goal, objectives and indicators illustrated by a clear log frame.
- Support the roll-out of the Plan’s Programme Policies (Programme Guide, and Programme Quality) and train plan staff at CO, PA and partners on these policies, as appropriate
Portfolio development and budget management
- Ensure that required concept notes and proposals are developed to support resource mobilization efforts and the attainment of organizational goals
- Ensure efficient management of financial resources, including review and approval of program budgets, monitoring expenditures, and implementing cost control measures.
- Build and oversee managerial accountability with particular attention to program quality and timely utilization of budgets in line with annual plans, project plans and donor conditions.
Knowledge Management
- Lead the knowledge management strategy for Plan International Ethiopia in accordance with the Global Knowledge Management Strategy
- Ensure implementation of the Knowledge Management strategy
Policy influence and networking
- Serve as principal representative to programme quality related networks, platforms and clusters and other institutional spaces, engaging with partners and stakeholders and other entities to ensure effective and quality program implementation through collaborative partnerships and alliances, and to positively influence policy debates and policy makers.
- Represent the organization in all relevant forums at international level concerning child protection programs.
People management
- Lead the harmonization and integration of the Country Office and Program Area Programme Quality teams to ensure a smooth working and enabling environment that engenders good team work, to create operational integration and high performing teams.
- Ensure equal and fair opportunities and representation of both sexes and persons with disabilities in the program.
- Provide leadership, coaching for results and support to the programme Quality team as well as in their individual development and performance management processes.
- Work closely with the PA and CO Monitoring, Evaluation and cross cutting sector specialists to improve the quality of monitoring and evaluation and provide technical support as needed to PA and CO’s program team.
Knowledge, Skills, Behaviors, and Experience Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:
Gained through education, training, & experience
Educational Qualification and Experience
- Minimum of Bachelors degree in the area of Monitoring and Evaluation /Masters Degree preferred
- Minimum 7 years relevant experience and of which at least 4 years with NGOs in leading Monitoring and evaluation /program quality team.
- Demonstrated experience in the area of Monitoring, partnership, inclusion and DRR programmatic areas.
- A commitment to, and understanding of, participatory approaches to development.
- Previous experience of managing multi disciplinary teams and the ability to lead, motivate and develop others.
Knowledge
- Thorough knowledge of programming processes, systems and principles, and the ability to provide leadership and support to staff working at community level.
- Sound understanding of integrated development issues and critical analysis of child poverty
- In-depth knowledge of child-rights programming
- Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges and opportunities and implications to community development.
- Knowledge of human resource and change management
- Demonstrated knowledge of strategic planning processes
- Knowledge of effective participatory monitoring, evaluation and research systems and processes
Skills Specific to the Post
- Exceptional conceptual and strategic thinking/strategic planning skills.
- Comfortable with taking timely decisions in situations where information may be incomplete, based on consultation and sound judgement.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues at long distances in a multi-cultural environment.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation and public speaking
- Strong negotiation, influencing and problem solving skills.
- Solid experiences in resource mobilization with a variety of donors;
- Numeracy and the ability to interpret financial data, in order to provide management support to budgetary processes including planning, monitoring and reporting.
- Ability to provide leadership, communicate effectively and build high performance teams in support of achievement of organisational objectives.
- Strong team-building and motivational skills with ability to interact and work effectively with others
- Ability to analyze information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically
- Proficient in computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications
References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all persons meeting the skills and experience required.
As an international child centered community development organisation, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realization of children’s rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.
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. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.
More Information
- Job City Addis Ababa
