role PURPOSE

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.

The Technical Coordinator will focus on implementation of the project titled “project titled “Obligation to Protect and Empower Girls in Sudan (OPEG)” in Kassalla, White Nile and North Darfur states through national implementing partners in coordination with Project Manager, programme area managers and other relevant technical staff, the technical coordinator will ensure quality and timely delivery of Village Saving and Loan (VS&L) and REFLECT components in the project in accordance to it  standards, guidelines of the approaches. The technical coordinator shall also support and build relevant linkages with the Child Protection components of the project

Dimensions of the Role

The Technical Coordinator will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and in close collaboration with the Child Protection Programme Lead.  The Technical Coordinator will be directly supervising the project officers in the three respective States to ensure quality implementation of VS&L/REFLECT approach through project implementing partners. The key role will be support in formulation and TOT of VSLA and REFLECT groups across the 3 states, build partners capacity in these approaches, roll out trainings, monitoring and quality control; and coordinate with three implementing partners for quality assurance and TAs. The Coordinator should ensure that the groups created are a space for strengthening ending Child Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM and Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C) as well as promoting gender equality which are core focus issues in the project

Key Accountabilities

1. Ensure quality implementation of VSLA and REFLECT approach through project implementing partners.
2. Support the development and training of VSLA and REFLECT groups across the 3 states.
3. Ensure partners have capacity to implement the VSLA and REFLECT approach.
4. Lead the process of Monitoring, evaluation, quality control, coordination of VSLA and REFLECT approach and guide partners on this.
5. Ensure that, VSLA associations and REFLECT groups are formulated, supervised and graduated as per VSLA and REFLECT approaches and guidance.
6. Ensure that VSLA and REFLECT Management Information System (MIS) is established and updated on regular basis and reports are shared on quarterly/monthly basis.
7. provide technical leadership on inception, implementation and monitoring VSLA and REFLECT approach across staff and implementing partners.
8. Set up learning and development processes and strategies for partners and community groups on delivery modules of VSLA and REFLECT approach that provides basis for sustainability and resilience.
9. Ensure regular reporting of case studies and success stories at least on quarterly basis for learning, tracking of changes and dissemination of best practices.
10. Ensure the budget portfolio assigned to the approach is enough and properly managed in all locations as per project budget.
11. monitor the level of delivery capacities of the three implementing partners and suggest further support required to the project manager.
12. Communicate with line manager in any concerns that may hinder implementation of the project as planned, identify risks propose mitigation measures, and provide briefings when required.
13. Represent Plan in coordination meetings related to VSLA and REFLECT at state and national level and provide required updates on the topics.
14. Engage in stakeholder and donor meetings and take minutes of issues related to VSLA and REFLECT
15. Work with Technical Lead Gender and Social Norms including the Gender Officer, Advocacy Officer, to ensure the gender transformation approach and advocacy is mainstreamed in the VSLA and REFELCT approaches

Accountabilities (SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS):

• Support in development of Detailed Implementation Plan and provide updates on deviation to logical framework and project results.
• Support and lead project surveys, assessments, baselines, and feasibility studies related to VSLA and REFLECT.
• Support partners to develop monitoring and reporting tools that enhance learning and improvement/adaptation of agreed approaches.
• Work with project officers and partners to drive VSLA and REFLECT implementation with efficiency in processes and effectiveness in achieving the planned objective.
• Provide the Project Manager with detailed information and regular reporting required to contribute to effective planning, budgeting and risks analysis related to VSLA and REFLECT approach.
• Participate in project related meetings and relevant coordination fora.

• Tracking the achievement using result frameworks in coordination with M&E team and IP and document lessons learns, success stories, etc.
• Maintain coordination and close relationship with Plan’s relevant departments (Programs, Communications, Advocacy, Gender, Administration, Resource Mobilization, Accounts and M&E).

• Contribute to mainstreaming of Child, Protection and Accountability including community feedback and respond mechanisms (CFRM) through VSLA and REFLECT activities.
• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy (SCYPP) and Gender Transformation Approach (GTA) 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 Communication

• Project Manager – High level of communication to report, seek approvals, sharing views to strengthen the project delivery and to ensure continues support for the PM understand the delivery of VS&L model and respond to queries.

• Project Officers – High level of communication to give advice on technical and delivery module including formation and working with VSLA/REFECT groups, also act as backstop lead in the two topics to provide technical advices and guidance to staff and implementing partners to ensure quality application and follow up of the guidelines/approaches, including during rollouts.

• Technical Lead Social Norms and Gender Transformation – High level of communication, see technical support to further understand social norms and gender transformation component in the project, and changing dynamics that linked to root causes, existing opportunities for positive changes, and knowledge management process from programmatic prospective.

• CO-Programme Lead – Protection and YEE– medium level of communication to share ideas and discuss technicalities related to integration of protection and gender in capacity building, delivery modules, and functionality of child protection reporting systems and mechanisms. Also seek support and guidance in the same issue to ensure local systems are operational.

• Programme Area Manager – Law level of communication to report, seek approvals, sharing reports and views to strengthen the program delivery and to ensure continues support for quality implementation.

• M&E coordinator – High level communication to ensure continues monitoring and evaluation of the project and ongoing support to IP to track the outcomes, results and outputs based on baseline report and achievements made.

External Communication:

• Local Implementing Partner – Medium level of communication, but ensure the IPs fully understand the implementation approaches, have capacity to do it, and not fully depend on community volunteers, also support partners in accurate management of their financial resources received from Plan.

• Other stakeholders and Government Line Ministries: Based on Need; such as National Council of Child Welfare (NCCW) Ministry of health and Social development, community groups to understand the changes and how the approach is understood and valued by the targeted community.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Skills

Presentation skills/ Abilities:

• Demonstrate Knowledge on social norm, gender equality/ mainstreaming and protection.
• Have background on social protection and business management programming related aspects such as; community protection, skills training social change communication, women empowerment, Village Saving and Loans approach, as well as the REFLECT approach etc.
• Demonstrate facilitation, presentation, negotiation, analytical, logical, and communication skills
• Good knowledge of programming processes, systems and principles, and the ability to provide leadership and support to partners working at community level.
• Ability to analyse challenges and propose mitigation measures
• Demonstrated leadership skills to maintain team work, build capacity of team members and provide technical support.

Personal Qualities, Competencies, and Values:

• Responsible and energetic, Person with high integrity, ethics and honesty.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Participates in open dialogue, and values the diverse opinion of others, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.
• Commitment to excellence, adaptability, innovation, building relationships, communicating effectively, coaching and mentoring, initiating action, strategic decision making, planning and organizing, leading through vision and mission.
• A good understanding of and commitment to gender and diversity considerations.

Communication skills

1. Good Computer skills (word, excel, power point, access …etc)
2. Good command of written and spoken English and Arabic languages.
3. Ability to think creatively to development new ideas, present it to others and understand associated risks.

Knowledge and expertise

• A minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Management, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Economics or other related fields. Master degree is preferable.
• At least 5 years’ experience in a similar topic with good understanding and working experience in the field of Community-Based Microfinance.
• Proven understanding of programming concepts and human rights-based approach in development and emergencies and understand partnership management.
• Experience in conducting capacity development programmes for partners and right holders
• Good skill in project cycle management, MQE and project quality standards.
• Demonstrated ability to set up learning and development processes and strategies for partners and community groups.

Desirable

• Understanding and commitment to Plan International values, mission and mandate especially gender transformation where possible.

Proven ability to influence change at an operational and strategic level based on Plan International’s Country Strategy both among staff and

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

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

Physical Environment

1. Must work in busiest environment outside the office with multi stakeholders.
2. Must work outside in an extremely hot and humid climate to perform her/is tasks.
3. Must work under high stresses.
4. Must work off hours after daily working hours when ever requirement arises.

Level of contact with children

High level: medium interaction with children as the key roles of the technical lead VS&L is to technical support project officers and implementing partners which sometimes not necessarily being with the children in the ground. But should demonstrate good values and ensue children and youth are safe and consulted during designing and implementation of VS&L activities and their point of views are reflected in activities and the objectives are met.