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 role is to provide technical support to the design, implementation and monitoring of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) activities in the project in the target project locations with a special focus on improving access to early childhood education in Kassala State, through ensuring 550 children 0-5 years old are enrolled ECE centers in in the targeted localities. 

• Dimensions of the Role

The Program Officer –  is a key person among the teams, the areas of his/her role is mainly focus on the following 04 dimensions of roles:

• Ensure that all project activities under his\her responsibility are implemented as planned and facilitate for smooth implementation.
• Ensuring good management of project partners.
• Ensure good working relationship with all the key stakeholders including, Kassala State’ Ministry of Education (SMOE), localities Level - Departments of Primary Education (DPE), PTAs and target communities.
• Ensure and participate effectively in reporting for Donors and other partners reporting requirements-which are stated in the FAD and project agreements- in proper and timely manner.
• Actively participate in the design and implementation of new initiatives that would improve the existing project. Lead these initiatives where appropriate. 
• Support proposal development for new project proposals, as necessary.
• Accountabilities
  • Ensure that project activities are implemented in compliance with Plan and Donors quality standards and performance measures.
  • Work closely with the Project Manger to achieve project objectives and targets effectively and efficiently.
  • Oversee that the approved projects activities are implemented according to the approved budget lines and time frames.
  • Ensure that cost effectiveness is maintained in all implemented project activities.
  • Maintain effective monitoring for the project’s interventions and in coordination with Project Manager undertake necessary corrective actions if need arises.
  • Produce monitoring and progress reports on regular basis.
  • Participate effectively in project reviews and evaluation.
  • Achieve proper documentation of the project’s interventions under his\her scope of responsibility.
  • Achieve proper management and achieve regular field visits and reports. 
  • Insure development of various ECE models (such as neighbourhood preschools, seasonal preschool, ALP for ECE etc) and construction/rehabilitation, furnishing, and equipment of 22 ECE centres.
  • Insure creation of a teacher training manual for each of the ECE models.
  • Insure creation of a monitoring tool to measure the quality of ECE sessions. ECE monitoring tool will be created to measure the quality of the ECE programme. 
  • Insure conduction of quarterly teacher trainings for ECE teachers. 
  • Insure conduction of ECE awareness campaign targeting parents and other community members. 
  • Insure creation of a parenting programme curriculum based on the classroom curriculum. A ‘Learning at home’ curriculum will be developed. 
  • Insure creation of a monitoring tool to measure the quality of parenting sessions.
  • Insure conduction of quarterly teacher trainings on how to conduct parenting programmes in their respective preschools. 
  • Monitor closely activities implemented by the 2 applicants and submit field visits reports.
  • Insure partners advances were liquidated on time and that all needed documents were correct and meets donor compliances. 
  • Work closely with two co-applicants in order to strengthen their capacities while respecting the guidelines of this project. 
  • To be involved in the implementation of activities as noted 1. above – particularly technical support on capacity building activities, campaigns, managing the Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) and working with local level actors. 
  • Necessary information / training, performance monitoring skills acquired by the CBOs. 
  • Communities properly mobilized and well contributed in the project in order to lead their development process themselves. 
  • Participate in developing  and maintaining of  project  reporting protocols,  both  narrative and  financial,  and ensure accurate and prompt reporting to all concerned (Plan International Sudan, donor, Government of Sudan, and other project stakeholders).
  • Work with the project’ partner to ensure that lessons learned case studies are captured and properly documented and archived by carrying out regular project/program reviews.
  • Support project manager ensure timely quarterly performance indicator tracking tables. 
  • Support project manager ensure grant/project management compliance with donor regulation.
• Actively participate in the design and implementation of new initiatives that would improve the existing project. Lead these initiatives where appropriate. 
• Support proposal development for new project proposals, as necessary.
• Other support 
• Ensure that all project activities under his\her responsibility are implemented as planned and facilitate for smooth implementation:
• Ensure that Plan’s and Donor’s policies and procedures are continuously adhered to in all actions contributing to the design, planning, managing and monitoring of project activities.
• Insure good management of project partners (two co-applicants SORD and JASMAR and targeted CBOs and CSOs).
• Ensure and participate effectively in reporting for Donors and other partners reporting requirements-which are stated in the FAD and project agreements- in proper and timely manner.
• Collect and compile project data regularly to submit to the project Manager, including case studies, success stories and photographs of project activities.
• 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 Communication

• Project Manager – High level of Communication to report, seek approvals, sharing views to strengthen the project implementation and to ensure continues needed support.
• Other departmental heads in the Program Area – Regular communication with Program Area departments to share work progress and updates and technical follow up.
• Project key stakeholders: Build good working relationship with all the key stakeholders including, the 2 project partners SORD and JASAMR  Kassala State’ Ministry of Education (SMOE), localities Level - Departments of Primary Education (DPE), PTAs, and 15 target child focused CSOs and  target communities.

External Communication

• Implementing Partners – high level of communication with implementing partners to understand their process and progress on implementation of the project and provide the required support.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Skills 

• Presentation skills
  1. Negotiation skills 
  2. Facilitation skills s.
  3. Analytical and logical skill.
• Communication skills
  1. Good command of written and spoken English and Arabic languages.
  2. Good skills in spread sheet and word processing computer application
  3. Good skills in computer information and communication.
  4. Excellent skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
  5. Ability to document progress and trend reports.
  6. Ability to think creatively to understand including risks associated to internet and social media and present appropriately.
  7. Strong interpersonal skills to cope up with stress and managing work effectively.

Knowledge and expertise 

• The post holder is expected to have considerable knowledge of the inclusive gender responsive quality education.
• Substantial experience of working in education program at least 2-4 years. 
• Considerable experience in working with CSOs, children participation and community mobilization.
• Knowledge of child friendly tools. 
• Proven ability to communicate on Education topics with diverse groups.
• Ability to support in the development and roll out of Education project.
• Good development and facilitation skills, including catalysing, connecting, and building the capacity of community groups/ partners.
• Strong communicator at all levels with interpersonal skills, ability and commitment to listen to others.
• Working knowledge of programs/projects cycle management.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with staff and key partners.

Essential

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Social Sciences or other related fields.
• A high level of written and spoken English
• Excellent communication skills

Desirable

• Understanding and commitment to Plan International values, mission and mandate. 
• Sensitization and mobilization of local communities, building capacities and skills of communities, refugees and migrant.

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

[In this section, state “typical office environment”, or conditions such as “must work outside in an extremely hot and humid climate”. Also note if any protective equipment is required.]

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

Application Link:- https://career5.successfactors.eu/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=54792&company=PlanInt&st=3DFC0408C483EA8ECD78645B8B67FBE4EBD77E5E