Plan International is an independent child rights and humanitarian organisation committed to children living a life free of poverty, violence and injustice. We actively unite children, communities and other people who share our mission to make positive lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives. We support children to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today and in the future. We place a specific focus on girls and women, who are most often left behind. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.
ROLE PROFILE
Project Manager-ECCD
Grade
D1
Programs – Kisumu Program Unit
Date
September 2017
Program Manager – Education
1 Year fixed term contract
ROLE PURPOSE
The project aims to improve child well-being (health, learning and protection/participation) in targeted vulnerable and marginalized communities through effective and holistic early childhood supports.
Dimensions of the Role
The Project Manager will report to the Program Manager Education. S/he has oversight of all other contributing staff on this project(s). S/he will uphold Plan Values, promote programme principals (transparency, gender equity and diversity), to enhance programme impact; and ensure modelling of Plan’s values among all project staff. This position is primarily responsible for the project by ensuring successful initiation, planning, design, execution, monitoring in a gender responsive fashion, controlling and closure of the project. S/he will be accountable for project staff management, monitoring and evaluation, stakeholder and partner relationship management, designing and development of complimentary or new funding proposals and ensuring quality is delivered throughout the project life.
The Project Manager will be responsible for the management of Plan Kenya’s Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) projects. S/he will have managed project budgets over and above USD2 million preferably across various implementation sites and have worked with partners. Please note this position will be available to be transferred or incorporate management of other projects as advised by senior management.
Accountabilities
(These are the expected results, and activities towards this end may vary)
- Caregivers, parents /women and men in target communities’ take action to improve child wellbeing in home and community.
- All targeted girls and boys equally participate in quality ECCD centers in the year or two before primary school.
- All targeted girls and boys equally participate in school-based and community-based activities that improve performance and retention in school.
- National polices and plans across sectors to ensure early childhood outcomes.
- Strengthened Families for ECCD Implementation Approach/Activities.
- Activities for transition to primary support.
Oversee and Coordinate Project Implementation
- Implement in a gender responsive manner Community Led Action for Children – 2 (CLAC 2) project activities and oversee programme alignment to government requirements and compliance with design methodologies and approaches.
- Ensure that interventions are planned and implemented for maximum impact, synergy and cost-effectiveness.
- Together with key project stakeholders, organize regular performance review meetings to assess progress and agree on and communicate any changes in strategy.
- Ensure Plan’s Policy on Gender Equality, Child Protection Policy and Guidelines are adhered to in project implementation.
- Ensure compliance with established targets and quality of project outputs.
- Ensure proper management of project database, records and files.
- Coordinate with other staff on resource allocation/mobilization and information and ensure that appropriate synergies with others are achieved as it relates to implementation of multiple projects in the same areas.
Manage Project Resources
- Develop and regularly manage CLAC 2 annual and quarterly implementation plans and budgets.
- Prepare breakdown/s of project budget by interventions.
- Monitor expenditures by interventions and ensure compliance with approved budget.
- Ensure timely budget adjustments and revisions in compliance with donor regulations.
Build and maintain stakeholder relations
- Represent Plan and the project externally with partners, government and other agencies at county on issues related to the CLAC 2 projects’ deliverables.
- Ensure adequate stakeholder consultation and participation at all stages of the project implementation.
- Developing and maintaining good relationships with existing donors.
- Coordinate with relevant Plan staff in sensitizing county and sub-county level government authorities about project activities, beneficiary selection criteria and policy and procedure of project implementation.
- Motivate the men, women and local government officials in target communities to contribute and participate in implementation of project activities.
- Attend periodical project-related meetings in the area of operations and brief supervisor.
- Coordinate with other NGOs, UN/donor agencies, and private sector players working within the operational areas to avoid duplication of efforts.
- Oversee any contractual partner deliverables and ensure deliverables are met in timely manner and with high quality.
- Serve as the main point of communication for implementing partners on her/his project in close collaboration with Finance.
Human Resources Management
- Smooth/efficient project performance and effective management of and communication with project team.
- Capacity development of ECCD staff reporting to the position in all areas related to ECCD sector including technical aspects, project management and gender equality.
- Lead and manage performance of Project Implementation Officer(s) and provide input for performance management of other project staff as necessary.
- Ensure that staff welfare issues are communicated through appropriate HR and management structures as well as back to/with staff.
Design, Monitoring and Evaluation and Learning
- In liaison with the project M&E Coordinator, lead the technical design of project interventions and development of technical guidance and tools for field staff.
- Monitoring progress and quality in concert with M&E team.
- Establish proper sex, age disaggregated data collection, consolidation and reporting mechanisms at county and sub county level.
- Write project reports and analyse from a gender perspective outputs.
- Ensure project learnings and achievements are documented and disseminated wide.
Reporting and Knowledge management
- Submit timely and accurate project reports according to country office and donor regulations.
- Liaise with program team to ensure learning is available to the wider organization and outside as relevant.
- Ensure all project documentation is filed and organized for accountability purposes.
- Contribution to proposal development inclusive of evidence-base/learning within project, technical expertise, and field-based sex age disaggregated data collection for design, communication/liaison with relevant stakeholders/partners.
- Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) 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.
Key relationships
Internal Contacts
- Other Plan Project Managers and Program Unit Managers
- Technical Support Team
- Designated Project Accountant
- Finance, procurement, fleet, administration
- Kenya Country Office M&E
- Grants and Contracts Manager
External Contacts
- County/ Sub County Government, Administrators
- Government Technical Departments/Line Ministries
- Other INGOs, local NGOs, UN agencies and organizations implementing in the same geographic areas, program sectors, et.al.
- Donor desk officers responsible for project and other donors as relevant
Technical expertise, skills and knowledge
Educational Qualification and Experience
- Degree in education; community development and a post graduate course in project planning and management.
- 7 years’ relevant experience in community development/child protection/ education/gender work, with minimum of 4 years at a supervisorial/managerial level.
- 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.
- A working knowledge on Gender Child Rights Analysis.
- Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges, opportunities and implications to community development.
- Demonstrated knowledge of strategic planning processes.
- Knowledge and experience in development and execution of participatory training.
- Knowledge of local language is desirable.
Skills specific to the post
- Transfers knowledge and skills; supports implementing partners to deliver program services and support according to the approved work plan, standards, and timelines.
- Strong report writing skills; ability to identify the key elements and criteria of writing quality reports. Capacity to produce accurate, consistent, high standard reports for the project in compliance with donor standards.
- Communicates with influence: Demonstrated effective interpersonal communication skills, including conflict resolution and negotiation skills community consultation skills and an ability to prepare accurate and detailed documentation.
- Building effective teams and partnerships: Acting as a team player, even if this results in adjustment of own priorities; develops mutually trusting relationships with complex partnerships to deliver excellent business outcomes.
- Proficient in computer skills: including a proficiency in Microsoft Office and working knowledge with different computer programs, both computer and web-based.
Behaviours
- Striving for high performance: plans and commits to deliver quality outputs in each aspect of their work.
- Decision making and risk management: Sound judgement and decision-making in complex situations; alerts others to risks inside and outside the program.
- Self-awareness and resilience: Remains calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations; plans own learning and development; aware of impact on others and adjusts own behaviour accordingly; has a positive impact on those around them.
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 with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.
Physical Environment
Typical office environment with about 40% travel.
Level of contact with children
High level: Frequent interaction with children .
Please note that only applications and CVs written in English will be accepted.
References will be taken and background and Anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plan International’s Child Protection Policy. Plan International operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all persons meeting the skills and experience required. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
The post Plan International Job Vacancy : Project Manager ECCD appeared first on Jobs in Kenya - http://jobwebkenya.com/.
The post Plan International Job Vacancy : Project Manager ECCD is republished from Jobs – Jobs in Kenya – http://jobwebkenya.com/
