Re-advertisement: Program Intervention and Influencing Area Manager 105 views0 applications

Plan International is a leading girls and children’s rights organization. Plan strives for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We motivate our people and partners to:

• empower children, young people and communities to make vital changes that tackle the root causes of discrimination against girls, exclusion and vulnerability
• drive change in practice and policy at local, national and global levels through our reach, experience and knowledge of the realities children face
• work with children and communities to prepare for and respond to crises, and to overcome adversity
• support the safe and successful progression of children from birth to adulthood

Plan operates in 77 countries around the world. It brings its support to millions of children, their families and communities, mainly in Africa, Asia, Middle East, and South America. It implements projects in the Health, Water and Sanitation, Education, Child Protection, Sustainable Livelihood, and cross-cultural communication. Child sponsorship forms the basis of our work with children. Worth to mention, Plan International global ambition is to support 100 million girls learn, lead, decide and thrive!

As part of its commitment to support Plan International Federation reach 100 million girls so to Learn, Lead, Decide and Thrive, Plan International Liberia has developed a Country Strategy for the next five years (2019 to 2024) with specific focus on reaching 600,000 marginalized girls and children all over the country, with a strong commitment to work with partners at various levels to put an end to violence against girls and young women including Child Early Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other norms and practices that hinder their development and empowerment.

Plan International Liberia is committed to ensuring that Child Protection and Youth Safeguarding, Gender Transformative programming and Influencing are key and an integral part of all its work in the country.

Dimensions of the Role

• Lead the Program Intervention and Influencing Area (PIIA) team in full compliance with local law and Plan International policies & procedures.
• Develop and engage Plan International Liberia at county level in partnerships and alliances.
• Ensure that Plan International Liberia’s relevant policies (e.g. security, cost recovery, child safeguarding…etc.) are embedded within the daily operations of the PIIA.
• Lead the design and monitor the implementation of the PIIA’s operating budget and in compliance with the overall budget assigned for the PIIA in particular fiscal year.
• Liaise with the Program department at the Country Office (CO) ensuring the maximum level of quality for the implemented projects.
• Has a delegated authority of US$10,000 for projects and payments approval.
• Reports regularly to the DCD Programs on the progress of the PIIA.
• Lead the development and monitor the implementation of a PIIA-based strategy to implement the ten-commitments of SP and in line with Plan International Liberia strategic directions.
• Oversee and manage the administration of the Program Intervention and Influencing Area ensuring that the office facilities are available and properly equipped for efficient work by the team.

Accountabilities

Leadership role in the Program Intervention and Influencing Area

• Provide strategic leadership and guidance to the PIIA team to achieve the targets of the annual plans.
• Ensure that the implemented projects within the PIIA are contributing to the achievement of Plan International Liberia’s annual targets in terms of cost recovery.
• Develop the appropriate work mechanisms ensuring that the relevant functions within the PIIA (finance, administration, programming, sponsorship) are working in tandem leading to the achievement of the planned objectives set out in the approved country strategy.

Quality Program design

• Oversee the implementation of the PIIA’s projects and ensure their alignment with the approved log frames and standards.
• Lead the development of the PIIA annual plan and ensure the adherence to the agreed on country leadership objectives.
• Develop the required processes to ensure that the local communities are actively participating in all phases of projects development.
• Ensure that Plan International Liberia’s relevant policies and in particular gender equality and safe guarding are embedded within programming and the PIIA team is supported to report against their implementation.

Networking and Influencing

• Build and foster relationships with local level government officials and community partners to promote Plan Liberia’s directions and programs.
• Develop the appropriate actions to ensure that Plan Liberia’s partners at the county level are enabled and enough capacitated to work together to achieve the planned results.
• Propose and develop strategies in collaboration with CLT to support Plan Liberia become one of the highly performing child and girls rights organizations in the country.
• Create opportunities and platforms for the Youth Advisory Boards at the PIIA levels to contribute to the internal decision making processes of Plan Liberia and local government as well.

Finance and Grant Management

The PIIAM is accountable for all administrative and financial activities of its area of coverage (PIIA), with the technic support of the Financial Coordinator of the PIIA. The role of the PIIAM Will be as follow:

• Ensure that the budgetary package of his PIIA has been prepared and submitted to CO, in accordance with the instructions/budgetary guidelines received,
• With his team, ensure proper execution of the PIIA budget through projects in accordance with the strategic directions of the country and procedures of Plan International stocks and regulations of the donors.
• Promote and ensure that the good practices in the area of administrative and financial management are applied in his/her PIIA, approve requests for payment and purchase orders and sign the checks in compliance with the procedures, policies put in place and authority limit.
• Approve the monthly forecasts of expenditure of his/her PIIA and ensure that the good management of bank reconciliation and liquidation,
• Review the financial reports of his/her PIIA, level of budget expended, report on the advances and the bank reconciliation of his/her PIIA,
• Support PIIA and CO finance team in the implementation of their daily, monthly, quarterly and annual activities.
• Manage, in a preventive way, the Risk of errors related to the financial operations and fraud in his/her PIIA, facilitate the tasks of control and audit of Plan International and external cabinet to Plan International in his/her PIIA.
• Ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the control and audit in his/her PIIA.
• Put in place system for grants project in his/her PIIA in line with donor’s guidelines.

People Management

• Contribute to the development of subordinates by setting individual objectives and providing feedback of performance versus objectives to maximize levels of individual performance.
• Provide guidance and support to subordinates ensuring that the PIIA-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 PIIA-team informed of, motivated and committed to the changes within Plan Liberia and international as well.
• Develop the necessary strategies to nurture a –performance culture within the PIIA and in line with Plan Liberia’s approved HR policies and procedures.
• Ensure that the PIIA-staff are informed of and prepared for professional growth opportunities.

1. Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Safeguarding Roles and Responsibilities

• To assist the main SCYPP FP in coordinating the mainstreaming of SCYPP into the department’s/project/programme/unit’s core processes and procedures as outlined in the SCYPP implementation standards.
• To be the PIIA’s representative for coordinating the completion of the annual safeguarding monitoring tools which reviews compliance to the safeguarding implementation standards that impact on their department.
• To challenge poor safeguarding practices and support and promote good practice within the PIIA in line with the global and local safeguarding policy and procedure
• To provide SCYPP briefings/ induction to PIIA staff and associates. Deliver on-going refresher training and induction as necessary
• Support the development of local SCYPP procedures in line with mapping of local child protection external environment and global guidelines.
• Receive reports on safeguarding allegations and respond effectively in line with local procedures.
• Provide support and advice in dealing with alleged cases of child abuse and safeguarding concerns by Plan staff, associates and visitors including initiating, assisting with or managing any necessary investigations in line with appropriate policies and procedures

Key relationships

High level contact

Internal:

• Manages and develops the influencing strategy and is a member of Senior Leadership Team (CLT).
• The Programme teams at the PIIA as well as projects staff are key colleagues with this post-holder to ensure the quality and the program effectiveness with assiduous use of funds and meeting of Plan International delivery standards and KPIs.
• Country Leadership Team to make decisions on major issues related to program strategy and implementation.
• DCD Programme to ensure that activities are aligned with the CS, policies, procedures and best practices.

• Business Development Manager to provide concepts/ideas to grants management team and ensure that Grants activities are aligned with the CS.
• Sponsorship Support Manager to ensure a high quality delivery standards and KPI in sponsorship operations.

External

• Partners at national, regional, district and community levels: Programme and Project Managers at other INGOs and Government representatives to share best practices and to identify/implement opportunities for collaboration e.g. advocacy, research, etc.
• Local, district and regional technical networks.

Medium level contact:

Sub-Regional Director, Plan International of West & Central Africa Regional (WARO) Office Program Support Manager Network and National Offices’ Program Managers to share best practices in program implementation; to collaborate on regional initiatives, and to identify mechanisms to improve program quality through learning from each other.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Essential

• Master’s Degree in one of Plan International areas of global distinctiveness, International Development, Integrated Development Studies, Social Work, Management, Development Planning, or equivalent, with a minimum of ten years progressive experience in a related field.
• At least 5 years practical experience in programme design, monitoring & evaluation, learning and knowledge management.
• Knowledge and experience in partnership working.
• Committed to Plan International’s Purpose.
• Expertise and substantial experience in international development programming relevant for Plan International’s Areas of global distinctiveness: Learn, Lead, Decide, and Thrive.
• Knowledge and experience in rights based programming.

Skills:

• Excellent skills in teamwork, collaboration, facilitative and networked ways of working
• Representation skills and experience
• Management skills and experience
• Strong written skills
• Strong people management skills: leader of leaders, empowering, coaching, nurturing and developing.

Leadership Behaviours:

• Uses evidence-based results to make choices and drive change
• Committed to work, taking initiative to be innovative and creative to achieve results
• Has the courage to challenge the status quo, to question the way we work
• Strives for quality in all they do, respecting deadlines, working continuously to improve performance
• Takes responsibility for their actions, and learn from behaviour, successes and failures
• Uses resources as intended, and can account for how has used resources
• Supports gender equality and diversity, and challenges forms of inequality or harassment
• Encourages children young people, partners and colleagues to be meaningfully involved in decisions that affect them
• Creates an environment where children, young people, partners and colleagues are supported and safe
• Helps colleagues and partners do their work and ask for help. Provides space for colleagues, teams and partners to grow
• Listens to and understand views of colleagues and partners. Draws on their experience to ensure high quality work
• Upholds and demonstrates Plan’s values and behaviors

Desirable

• At least 3 years practical experience in Advocacy, Policy and campaigns with special focus on Girls’ Rights
• Knowledge of human rights, child rights, girls’ rights, inclusion and gender equality

Physical Environment

Typically office environment with 50% extensive travel in PU, CO and abroad.

Level of contact with children

Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children.

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

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

We strive for lasting impact

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

We work well together

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

We are inclusive and empowering

1.       We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential
2. We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace
3. We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives.

Location:                  Nimba & Lofa Counties

Grade:                       D2

Department:             Programme Department

Reports to:               Deputy Country Director for Programme

Closing Date:           12th October 2022

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan follows an equal opportunity policy and actively encourages diversity welcoming applications from all especially women and people living with disability. As an international child centred community development organisation, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realisation 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. Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for. Our organisation 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 will provide equality of opportunity and will not tolerate discrimination on any grounds. We foster an organisational culture that embraces and exemplifies our commitment to gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion while supporting staff to adopt good practice, positive attitudes and principles of gender equality and inclusion.