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 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.
Terms of reference
| Position | Project Manager, McGovern-Dole International School Feeding and Child Nutrition Program in Guinea-Bissau | ||
| Department & Location | Oio, Cacheu, Quinara, Bafata e Gabu Region | ||
| Report to (position): | Program Impact and Influence Area Manager | ||
| Direct Supervision | Program Impact and Influence Area Manager | ||
| Location | Bafata | Required travels | 50% |
| Indicative Date | May 2020 | Grade | D2 |
Plan International is one of the world’s largest advocacy organizations with extensive experience in policies and programs for the protection of women and girls. Plan International has been operating in Guinea-Bissau since 1995, advocating for children’s rights, especially for access to health, education and sanitation. Plan International Guinea Bissau is following its Country Strategic Plan, which covers the 5 years period 2018-2022. This strategic plan takes into consideration the Education, Health, WASH, Emergency Protection and Management programs, and with a focus on Gender issues in all programs. In accordance with its mission and values, Plan International does not tolerate any form of gender discrimination and abuse of children’s rights.
Job Summary
As Programme Manager based in Bafata under the leadership of the Programme Unit Manager, the incumbent shall be part of a vibrant team that will deliver high-quality programming. This will include managing, overseeing and reporting on key programmatic and technical aspects of the McGovern-Dole International School Feeding and Child Nutrition Program (MGD) project in accordance with USDA and Plan International policies and procedures, and guidelines. You will ensure positive and effective relationships with all partners and government stakeholders, improve the talent of your team, ensure effective management of PII and donor Agency resources to positively impact the lives of over 60,000 poor and vulnerable children in five regions of Guinea-Bissau
dimensions of role:
To management project implementation and to ensure that all objectives are met within agreed timescales and budgets in close collaboration with regional education authorities in both Oio, Cacheu, Quinara, Bafata and Gabu regions.
Ensure program quality by issuing a systematic technical support to the operational and strategic level.
Major responsibilities and tasks:
- Manage key components of early child literacy, teacher training, school management committees, social behaviour change (SBC) for nutrition of the project. Serve as a point of contact on areas of responsibility to USDA as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders, when needed.
- Manager key functions of the MGD project to meet USDA expectations in terms of timely and quality results, budget execution and reporting. Contribute to ensuring coordination between program and operations leads, especially with the Bafata Programme Unit for budget management and the TCRS Chief of Party to ensure the proper sequencing of food distributions with other project interventions. Contribute to and meet Plan International programme quality standards for MEAL policy and procedures.
- Effectively manage talent and supervise the team under your supervision. Manage team dynamics among direct reports and ensure staff well-being. Participate in the recruitment, training and development of staff in coordination with Togo program Human Resources Officer to ensure full orientation of new staff. Complete all aspects of the PI GNB Performance Management system for direct reports and provide timely coaching, feedback, mentoring, and support, resources, while firmly and promptly addressing performance issues. Strategically tailor individual development plans.
- Manage and mitigate risk through monitoring security issues that may impact the safety and security of staff, assets and programming. Ensure all staff understand and adhere to Plan International staff safety and security policies and plans.
- Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of Plan International agency and USDA resources. Help ensure compliance with USDA grants, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and compliance with both USDA and Plan International Financial Management policies and procedures
- Maintain relationships with key staff of consortium partner organizations about their programmatic responsibilities. Include consortium partners, community participation, and local authorities in project processes and catalyse the development of local partner safeguarding policies and practices for safeguarding participants at all stages of project implementation. Contribute to the coordination of the roles and activities of staff from other consortium member organizations to implement their respective components in line with Plan International and CRS partnership agreement.
- Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyse and respond quickly to deficiencies. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for Plan International and partner staff and recommend trainings and technical assistance.
Communications and Working Relationships
Working contacts inside and outside the organization, include the purpose and level (high, medium, low) of the contact
Key Internal: Medium contact with CD, PUM, PSM, MERL Manager
Key Internal: High contact with Technical Advisors, HQ Technical Advisors, COP
Key External: Medium contact Representatives of the Ministries of Education, USDA, UN Agencies, communities, etc.
Supervisory Responsibilities: 4 direct reports:
Accountant
2 Zone Coordinators
MERL Manager
Knowledge, Skills, Behaviours, and Experience Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:
Gained through education, training, & experience
- Very good strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
- Very good relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
- Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams.
- Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.
Qualification and Experience
- Master’s degree in International Development, International Relations or a relevant technical area(s).
- 5 or more years of relevant management and technical experience, with experience in one of more of the following areas: early child literacy, WASH, school feeding/nutrition, and food security.
- 3 years of experience managing external donor, including USDA funds, required. Strong knowledge and experience in budget management.
- Recognized leader in sector as demonstrated by prior positions, peer reviewed publications, conference presentations, etc.
- Demonstrated experience of successful project management, including management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with challenging logistics.
- Experience in the management of USDA school feeding programs desired.
- Experience in working in partnerships.
- Ability to represent and present at high levels in English and Portuguese.
- Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Visio), web conferencing applications, and information and budget management systems.
- An understanding of it desired.
- Required Languages – Excellent English writing skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Recognized technical experience and qualifications in sector
- Demonstrated experience of successful management, including management of functions of complex, multi-activity projects.
- Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
- Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.
- Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing, Applications, and information and budget management systems.
Working environment
Typically office and field environment with 30% extensive travel in program areas and occasional international travel.
Type of Role:
12 month fixed term contract. The salary is based on grade
Documents required for application
Application Letter
A Copy of diploma or certificate
Curriculum vitae updated with 3 references of former employer (name, telephone number and email) or job mates,
Level of contact with children
The position will based at the Bafata Office and level of contact with children is medium.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
Office: Guinea Bissau Country Office
Location: Bissau, Guinea Bissau
Operating languages: Portugues, English & French
Employment status: Full time
Contract status: Local
Deadline for submission: 24/04/2020
Female applications are highly encouraged
ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED
More Information
- Job City Bissau, Guinea Bissau
