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 Primary responsibility of the Area Education and ECCD Program Coordinator is responsible for the vision, strategy, design, implementation and management of Education Program for the South Sudanese Refugees, host communities and Sponsorship areas in White Nile State. She/he will play a critical role in increasing the capacity of local staff to support teacher training, tutoring, livelihoods activities for youth, and monitoring of community projects. The Education and ECCD Coordinator will work collaboratively with the program team, other technical coordinators, operations team, and the finance team, as well as provide leadership and oversight in the implementation and management of all ECCD project activities in the White Nile program Area.

 Also He/she will provide technical inputs into project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; assess the outputs, outcomes and impact of program interventions and activities; and provide operations and financial management to the program. He/She will have direct responsibility for ECCD project management in the Program Unit, in coordination with the Country ECCD coordinator and the PU program support team.
 

 The Education Coordinator will report to the Deputy Director for Programs (DDP) and will be based in Niamey with frequent visits to the field sites.

Dimensions of the Role

• The Area Education and ECCD Program Coordinator will report to White Nile Sponsorship Project Manager with dotted line to the Education Sector lead. 
• To provide leadership and oversight in the implementation and management of all Education and ECCD project activities in the White Nile Program Area. He/she will provide technical inputs into project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; assess the outputs, outcomes and impact of program interventions and activities; and provide operations and financial management to the Education and ECCD project.
• Provide strategic leadership and guidance to the Project Officers, local partners and Line ministries staff to ensuring that the global program quality framework and other relevant policies (e.g child protection, security and gender equality policies) are embedded within the PA day to day operations and staffs are competent, committed to move forward with their implementation. 
• The post holder is responsible for the delivery of results in line with pre-agreed program plans and objectives and oversees program implementation at all stages throughout the project cycle. 
• Contribute to the expansion of Education and vocational and life skills programming in White Nile State, including assessments, proposal development and reporting as needed.
• Foster collaboration and support in the White Nile State to develop plans for integrating ECCD with other thematic areas.
• Given that a significant and increasing amount of the work is done through partnership, a key aspect of the role is nurturing, developing and facilitating the achievement of results through partners. 
• Ensure that Plan’s and the Donor policies and procedures are continuously adhered to in the project’s planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation phases.

Accountabilities

• Support the Program Area in successful Education and ECCD project delivery as per the standards, donor agreement and Plan’s guidelines and agreed implementation strategy.
• Provide leadership into the project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; assess the outputs, outcomes and impact of program interventions and activities in the program area.
• Prepare and develop in consultation with appropriate stakeholder’s annual work plans and project plans.
• Conduct quarterly review meetings to ensuring local NGOs and line ministry are compliant with donor regulations, and are on track with implementation.
• Facilitate on time budget transfer and budget liquidation of partners organizations
• Monitor expenditure on a monthly basis to ensure spending is on track, and ensure forecasts are updated based on activities and in compliance with donor regulations.
• Prepare programmatic reports for donor, government and the country office as required.
• Take a lead in the development of new Education and ECCD proposals designing.
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits to provide support to partners and to ensure program’s quality and impact
• Represent the Program Area in sectoral coordination at state and national levels and with the technical authorities.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly government reports and 4Ws for Education and ECCD sectors and submitted on time
• Any other tasks as may be required for operational support directed by the line manager or designate

Policy engagement and networking

• Work Closely with Education sector lead Manager to Serve as a principal representative to State Education and ECCD networks and clusters to promote effective program implementation, to create collaborative and positive partnerships and alliances, and to influence policy that maximizes the impact of the Education and ECCD program.
• Establish links and good relationships with relevant government authorities, NGOs, , academic and research institutions and  the media, in the area of ECCD draw information and knowledge for program efficiency and effectiveness.
• Makes follow up and proper documentation of state   government policies, strategies and plans with respect to education.

Partnership development and strengthening

• Periodically collect information about other organisations working within the State to gain institution knowledge of the environment.
• In support of the Program manager, manage the partnership in a holistic and reciprocal manner.
• Seeks opportunities for different kinds of partnership for enhanced quality program implementation.
• Provide support to partner staff, coaching for results and support to Education and ECCD thematic area team as well as in their individual development and performance management.
• Build the capacity of local partner’s and line Ministry   staffs through proper coaching and training and learning by doing.
• Facilitates communication and interaction between partners/collaborators and Program Area finance team.  

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Coordinator With the M&E coordinator to develop and apply project MER tools that allow (i) proper planning of project activities, milestones and reporting dates and (ii) and tracking of girls and children reached.
• Ensure that lessons learned case studies are captured and properly documented and archived by carrying out regular project/program reviews.

Capacity Building

• Work with the other Project managers/coordinators to identify the needs and support development of staff and partners to increase their competence projects delivery.
• To participate in the recruitment, selection and induction of staff

Others

• Any other functions and responsibilities of appropriate nature to project Management assigned by the supervisor

Key relationships

Internal Communication:

• Sponsorship Project Manager and Program Area Manager  – High level of Communication to report, seek approvals, sharing views to strengthen the program areas and to ensure continues support for the program.
• Head of Program and Education Sector – High level of communication to support and provide hand holding support to understand the model and to respond to queries
• Regular communication with program department in PA to share work progress and updates and technical follow up.

External Communication:

• Partners – high level of communication to share and understand progress of the program.
• Advisory\steering Committee – Low level of communication in form of sharing program outcomes on quarterly basis.

Presentation skills

1. Negotiation skills
2. Analytical and logical skills

Communication skills

• Good command of written and spoken English and Arabic languages.
• Good skills in spread sheet and word processing computer application
• Good skills in computer information and communication.
• Good managerial skills.
• Excellent skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
• Ability to communication via internet.
• Ability to respond and solve challenges at first stage.
• Ability to document program knowledge.
• Ability to think creatively for development of new ideas and for presenting them to others.
• Strong interpersonal skills to cope up with stress and managing work effectively.
• Demonstrated Leadership skills to maintain team work and to build capacity of team members.

Knowledge and expertise

• Minimum 3 years demonstrated experience focused on in Education Programming.
• Technical experience and knowledge in the area of ECCD and Youth Innovative Program
• Demonstrated ability to work and coordinate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including national and local government, donors, community-based organizations, and the private sector.

Essential

• Master’s or First degree in Social Since, Education, Rural Development or
• BSC   with an additional 5 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in grant and donor compliance such as (JPF, EC,ECHO,DFID,SHF, UNHCR,UNICEF  and USAID)
• Spoken and written proficiency in English. Strong Microsoft Word and Excel skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Female candidates have an advantage.

Desirable

• Understanding and commitment to Plan International values, mission and mandate.
• Proven ability to influence change at an operational and strategic level based on Plan International’s Country Strategy both among staff and implementing partners

Physical Environment

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

Level of contact with children

Min contact: Occasional direct interaction with children

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!”