PROJECT COORDINATOR-VPU 243 views0 applications

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.

Job Description                                                                                                        

Position	Project Coordinator	Grade	C2
Department & Location	Programs ( Oti Region)	Date	April, 2021
Reports to (position):   Directly Supervises:	Project Lead   Local partner agencies
Purpose:  How does this post support Plan International’s strategy and mission?	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 80 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 Ghana is looking for a Project Coordinator to work with and coordinate a team on a project titled Be Smart-Learn and Stay Protected. The project is funded by Beiersdorf AG. This project will be implemented in the Oti and Eastern Regions of Ghana and has a strategic fit with Plan International Ghana’s CS which recognizes gender-responsive and inclusive quality basic education as a major strategy to improve knowledge and resources of adolescent girls to learn from Child protection and SBV. The project has a duration of two years (2021-2023) and a budget of €749,909.

 

Dimensions of Role:

 

• The project coordinator will work with stakeholders at the districts/municipal level to address the root causes of gender inequalities through gender-transformative approaches. This includes an express need to ensure meaningful male engagement to support women’s improved agency.
• The Project Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating quality programming and results, financial management and compliance, stakeholder and partner relations, and donor deliverables at districts/municipal levels.
• He/she will coordinate the establishment of women and girl awareness centers to help address SGBV issues in the region.
• He/she is responsible for program planning, implementation, and reporting in compliance with donor and government agreements.

• The post-holder will be based in Oti Region and travel to project communities where the Be Smart project operates for approximately 60% of her/his time.

Child protection and safeguarding principles of collaboration, participation, transparency, and respect for the agency’s women and children’s rights will be integrated into all aspects of this role.

Typical Responsibilities – Key End Results of Position:

“What” is done and “why”, but not “how”; include indicators for success

 

Please state why each activity is done and the indicators for success

 

Form and Develop girl group association with appropriate cooperative Values and principles

 

• Ensure Gender is mainstreamed in all Be Smart-related activities and maintain gender sensitivity towards staff and Plan associates to avoid gender discrimination.
• Ensure Safeguarding and Child Protection are mainstreamed in all Be Smart-related activities.
• Coordinate the financial, logistical, and reporting aspects of Be Smart partnership assuring compliance with Plan and donor reporting requirements.
• Actively participate in all network meetings (both local and international) to learn and share best practices for management decision making
• Monitor and provide semi-annual tracking report of the growth and development in governance, management, and overall development of self-groups and associations related to the project.
• Coordinate partnership and establish good relations with relevant stakeholders in project planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting for effective linkages.
• Actively engage with stakeholders and government agencies involved in Be Smart promotion and formal protection agencies in Ghana to promote collaborative planning toward long-term sustainable solutions.
• Support in engaging local partners for Social Mobilization, group formation, and training, business skills training, and financial literacy education under the Be Smart project.
• Facilitate the development of producer association values and principles
• Facilitate linkages with relevant district/municipal institutions to support the registration to formalize businesses
• Develop increased knowledge and understanding of Be Smart project through cross-learning, co-mentoring activities to exchange experiences with stakeholders at the district/municipal
• Any other duties assigned by Supervisor

Support the Operationalization of Girl Awareness Centres

Expected Outcomes:

• Coordinate with relevant decentralized education and protection agencies in the District/Municipal assembly
• Work with Project Team to ensure Girl Awareness centers established and operational
• Work with relevant institutions/organizations in the District/Municipal on an appropriate training package in child protection, SBGV solutions, and reproductive health awareness strategies for use by the project team and relevant Institutions
• Support the operationalization of the awareness centers, coordinate joint planning, monitoring, and collaboration with stakeholders

Partnership and Networking

• Coordinate and maintain productive collaborative relationships primarily with the relevant agencies and stakeholders.
• Organize and lead technical and coordination meetings between all stakeholders.
• Keep supervisors and Other Project staff informed of any relevant anticipated changes/developments.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• In collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, ensure ongoing monitoring and timely reporting of the project against project goals and planned results.
• Support project manager in preparing Terms of Reference (TOR) for baseline and evaluation of the project and organize evaluations and learning reviews with consultants hired for the purpose.
• Support project leads to Compile, analyze, and disseminate regularly, reports to Country Management Team on the Be Smart project.
• Prepare and submit quality and timely periodic required reports.
• Work closely with the finance and grant departments to review and assess monthly accruals and disbursements to ensure compliance with donor guidelines.
• Monitor and update the project risk register regularly and manage them.

Others:

• Monitor the performance of direct reports.
• Perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Indicators of success:

• An effective working partnership exists with the agency partners and other stakeholders.
• Timely delivery of quality project activities.
• Quality and timely periodic reporting (financial and narrative).
• Quality documentation of best practices on the Be Smart learning themes.
• Documentation of best practices Be Smart activities.
• An effective monitoring system to track the performance of local partners.

Dealing with Problems:

Complexity of problems handled & the degree of investigation, analysis, & creative thinking required to solve them

• Experience with in-depth analysis of current issues on GBV and providing innovative solutions.
• Demonstrated skills in dealing with the complexity of working with international and local NGO partners.
• Demonstrated ability to deal with comprehensive and demanding requirements of the donor.
• Effective decision-making regarding the most appropriate, effective, and efficient approaches to ensure quality financial management, ensuring maximum alignment with donor requirements.
• Works with minimum supervision
• Analyze issues for decision making to strengthen and support the delivery of Be Smart programs that meets organizational requirements and refer to a higher manager for approval.
• Ability to develop and implement strategies to minimize project risks.

 

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

Gained through education, training, & experience

 

Qualification and Experience

• Minimum of 1st Degree or equivalent in the fields of Public Health, Nursing and other relevant Social Sciences, with at least 3years experience in a related field
• Strong understanding and proven application of project cycle management.
• A proven passion for innovation and a commitment to protection-focused programming as well as familiarity with current trends on SGBV.
• Fluency in English
• A successful track record in supervising, designing, coordinating, managing, and implementing donor-funded projects.
• Proven commitment to mainstream gender and equality issues.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to use different communication media effectively, including email, telephone, SKYPE, and written correspondence.
• Capacity building experience in project design, implementation, reporting, and evaluation.

 

Demonstrated behaviors needed by the postholder to successfully perform the role:

• 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 respectfully.
• Demonstrated creativity and willingness to innovate.
• Flexible and adaptable work style to respond to an evolving context.
• Inter-personal and cross-cultural skills, and ability to build and motivate teams.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize and meet deadlines.

• Communicates clearly and effectively
   
  Skills Specific to the post needed to put knowledge into practice.

• Strong understanding of feminist principles, gender equality, and women’s right
• Strong understanding of feminist monitoring and evaluation, and results-based management tools and approaches.
• Strong understanding and proven application of project cycle management.
• Strong experience in partnership management and aptitude for cultivating strong relationships with multiple stakeholders including private sector organizations, government, and donors.
• Ability to establish priorities in a time-sensitive environment, track project performance, meet deadlines, and ensure high-quality deliverables.
• The ability to fully function in English (verbal and written) is essential. All donor reports, deliverables, and communication will be in English.
• Proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database, internet).

• Flexible, able to shift directions quickly, and occasionally work long hours to meet tight reporting deadlines.
   
  Physical Environment and Demands:
  May be a “typical office environment”; note if heavy lifting, climbing, excess travel, etc.
  Travel requirements
  This post holder will be stationed in Jasikan in the Oti Region of Ghana with regular travel (approximately 60% of the time) to project locations where Be Smart operates.

  Level of Contact with Children:
  Responsibilities of this job require a medium level of contact with children. Plan International’s global policy on safeguarding children and young people will be adhered to at all times.
   
  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 organization for all children, girls & young people

 

We strive for a 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 maximize 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 with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Location: Volta PU

Type of Role: Project Management

Reports to: Project Manager

Grade: C2

Closing Date: 23rd April 2021

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

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.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.