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.

Plan International purpose statement “We strive for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls”.

We engage 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 International started working in Sudan in 1977 and has a presence in four states our of 18 states, mainly (Kassala state, White Nile State, North Kordofan State and Darfur State) and implemented it program via a Child Centered Community Development (CCCD) approach, focusing on child rights, implementing programmes designed to enable communities to improve the lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children and their families.

The communication officer will be responsible to ensure the design and implementation of Plan International White Nile Program Area communication strategy. He/she will provide strategic guidance in communication in accordance with Plan’s corporate policies and procedures by using timely and relevant methods to promote Plan International’s activities in White Nile Program Area as well as ensure innovative and effective installation, operation and use of ICT infrastructure and systems in White Nile Program Area and in compliance with Plan International relevant policies and strategies.

Dimensions of the Role

• Under the guidance and direct supervision of the MEAL Coordinator and dotted line to the CO communication and IT Coordinators, the IT4D and communication officer will be in charge of implementing ICT infrastructure, systems and communication activities in coordination with program colleagues and run its social media platforms.
• The incumbent will be responsible for the overall ICT4D work in the White Nile main office and sub offices
• To ensure the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) environment and services within the White Nile Program Area are smoothly/effective working
• Train program, sponsorship, Community volunteers and local partners staff on KOBO and data collection.

Accountabilities

Specific Responsibilities for IT

• Proactively understand the ICT needs of the communities served by the organization and implement systems so that ICT can be used as an instrument of development and for evaluating the impact of the organization.
• Work with CO IT coordinator and ensure identification and contracting a reliable service provider for hardware maintenance and trouble shooting.
• Ensure hardware is maintained regularly and properly by service engineer.
• Keep a log of problems and solutions and review the logbooks of action, periodically
• Periodically check workstations, laptops, scanning hard disks ensuring virus protection as per policies and guidelines.
• Be pro-active and troubleshoot all problems.
• Work closely with CO IT coordinator and oversee routine check-up of server functionality through monitoring, storage space and general health of the servers to ensure maximum uptime.
• Carry out server backup/restore (as per the organization’s policies and guidelines) - disaster recovery with the help of the CO IT coordinator.
• Train Program, implementing partners  staff  and community volunteers on Kobo and its environment.
• Help design and download all MERL tools in Kobo and make all the Monitoring activities tools available in Kobo program.
• Responsible for managing Kobo for Plan White Nile and its safety & equipment (i.e. taps, server, …etc.).  

Specific Responsibilities for Communication:

• Work with CO Communication Coordinator to ensure effective communication in order to maintain a good image for the organization and build the White Nile Program influence, in line with Plan International’s Global Strategy and Plan International Lebanon’s Country Strategy.
•  Support Project Managers/Coordinators in developing and implementing project-specific Communications Strategies, in line with donors’ guidelines and requirements. 
•  Facilitate relevant visits of international journalists, National Office Media & Comms and other interested parties and co-ordinate their activities with the Communication Coordinator 

 Visibility and branding:

• Ensure the correct use of all the branding elements in all the external communications materials and public events, including logos and layouts.
• Assist in Producing targeted and quality communications and visibility materials such as best practices, success stories, case studies, brochures, posters, videos, photos, etc. 
• Assist in Establishing, and maintaining strategic partnership with media and public relations partners in order to boost Plan’s image, profile and visibility in the Country.
• Carry out any other tasks as requested by the line manager.

Key relationships

Internal Communication

• Area MEAL and IT Coordinators – High level of communication to report, seek approvals, sharing reports and views to strengthen the IT4D and Communication and to ensure continues support for the Communication quality and compliance with Plan policies and procedures.
• Project Mangers/Coordinators and Co Communication coordinator Daily communication to ensure projects documentation in terms of best practices, successful stories, case studies and newsletter are produced with high quality and on timely.

External Communication

• Local Partners and CBOs– high level of communication with Local partners and CBOs to facilitate the generation and quality of project documentations.

Essential

• University Degree or equivalent in a Computer studies discipline
• IT technical skills in IT infrastructure and/or applications
• Minimum of 2 years relevant experience in the field of IT and communication.
• Knowledge of GPS softwares like Kobo, SPSS, Epi Infos, Stata is preferred
• Ability to use GPS and KOBO and to complete computer-based maps for project reports Work experience in an NGO is an advantage
• Experience of supporting technical infrastructure and information systems
• Experience with Microsoft technologies
• Experience in managing and implementing information systems, supporting technologies.
• Creativity and Innovation

Desirable

• Training in management and/or project management an advantage
• Good understanding of the IT industry including relevant international standards, relevant methodologies and best practice.
• Understanding of Plan’s business processes and strategic objectives

• Works independently

• Creativity and innovation – Seek out, develops and successfully implements new ideas that further the needs of PIS and those we work with; builds on proven approaches and learns from ongoing work to improve it

Physical Environment

• Typical work environment with some moderate lifting associated with movement for ICT4D project' activities.
• Travel requirement may be up to 50% of time spent travelling to co-ordinate ICT4D initiatives
• Location will normally be in the Program Area Office or any of the Country Offices where Plan has presence.
• Ability to work with short deadlines and under pressure.
• Ability to work with little or no daily supervision.
• Moderate lifting will be required.

Level of contact with children

Low contact: No contact or very low frequency of interaction

The complete application should be submitted  via Sudanjob.net Please note :

• Only short listed candidates will be contacted
• Females are strongly encouraged to apply “competitive offers are waiting for them!”