VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Organization: Plan International Nepal

Position: Project Specialist-Education-STEAM ahead: Showing Talent, Equality & Ambition of Marginalized children in Karnali

Number of Vacancies: 1

Functional Area : Program (Learn)

Reports to : Program Specialist – Learn, regional office west

Location : Dolpa

Travel required : Yes

Effective Date : 1 Jan. 2021

Grade : D1

Type : Fixed term employment until June 2024 of employment based in Dolpa.

ABOUT PLAN INTERNATIONAL

Plan International is a development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We strive for a just world, working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners in over 75 countries. Our programs are underpinned by a core of defined values, including transparency and accountability, team collaboration, inclusion and integration, as well as the overall ambition to empower girls and young women as legacy.

Plan International has been working in Nepal since 1978 and developed a strong reputation as a respected development and humanitarian actor helping marginalised children, their families and communities to access their rights to health, education, economic security and protection. Through the support of local partners, Plan International works in 24 districts in Nepal.

Plan International Nepal has a vision for 2030 as “an inclusive, just and safe society where all girls and young women enjoy their rights and live in freedom”. This is coupled with the ambition of taking action so that 100 million girls learn, lead, decide and thrive as “Girls and young women in all of their diversity reach their full potential as equal and active citizens” by 2023. The country strategy is put into action through the implementation of three interrelated program areas defined as follows:

LEARN: the “Education and Skills and Opportunities for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (SOYEE)” program aims to assist vulnerable and excluded girls and young women in adapting and thriving in a changing climate;

LEAD AND DECIDE: the “Youth as Active Drivers of Change and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR)” program aims to empower girls and young women in leading change, having control over their bodies and making informed decisions; and

THRIVE: the “Early Childhood Development (ECD), Child Protection and Child Poverty” program enhances vulnerable and excluded children, especially girls, to be valued and cared for without discrimination, fear and any forms of violence.

Plan international Nepal seeks candidates who practice feminist leadership, promote diversity, actively seek innovative solutions for problems, courageously and respectfully share their opinions and ideas, break down barriers and engender cross-department collaboration, practice active listening, maintain confidentiality, build trust and are passionate about children’s rights and equality for girls.

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation working in 51 developing countries that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.
Plan International has been working in Nepal since 1978, helping marginalised children, their families and communities to access their rights to health, education, economic security and protection. Through the support of local partners, Plan International works in 42 districts in Nepal. The main program areas in its new Country Strategy are Early Childhood Development, Basic Education, Youth Economic Empowerment, Child Protection and Resilience, including humanitarian assistance as required.

ROLE PURPOSE

Program Specialist – Education will provide technical expertise and guidance to implement overall education programs in Dolpa with special focus on EC-funded project – STEAM Ahead: Showing Talent, Equality & Ambition of Marginalised children in Karnali, under the supervision of Regional Manager and technical guidance of Program Specialist – Learn and Sr. Technical Advisor – Learn. S/he will act the consortium lead of education project – STEAM Ahead: Showing Talent, Equality & Ambition of Marginalised children in Karnali; and will be fully responsible in ensuring quality implementation of the project to meet the project objectives and goals. S/he will work closely with Regional Office Team, and also the Project Team in Dolpa while planning and implementing the project activity towards in the fields. As a consortium lead, s/he will closely work with 3 consortium partners of the project and will ensure partnership compliance are duly met throughout the project period. S/he will ensure that the implementation of project activities is realized according to the country strategy and education project objectives. S/he will ensure effective and timely implementation of all project activities, with attention to providing overall coordination and facilitation at inter-agency, municipal, district and provincial levels. Similarly, s/he ensures that the project deliverables are met in a timely and efficient manner; particularly, s/he will technically lead implementation of all project activities including planning, M&E, financial management, procurement and knowledge management in close guidance of RO and CO team.

Description

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

Education Program Specialist reports to Regional Manager and works closely with Program Specialist – Learn and Sr. Technical Advisor – Learn. S/he is a member of RO Management Team. S/he will be a budget holder and have to monitor and manage the RO budget under her/his portfolio. S/he will be responsible for timely spending and liquidation of program/project budget as per phased budget as agreed with the donor based on Grants Agreement Document.
This is a managerial position responsible for ensuring achievements of intended outcomes and impacts of overall Education Program in Dolpa. Working closely under the guidance of and reporting to the Regional Manager, s/he will technically lead the preparation of various plans including annual detail implementation plan (DIP) and budget, and monitoring the embedded activities, evaluating the results, communicating with the stakeholders (government agencies, NGOs, CBOs and CSO) and service providers, supervising the work of implementing partners on their specific assignments and ensuring a smooth running of the project. The person should have a grasp of the entire project activities and initiatives and be able to provide necessary leadership especially on technical aspects of the project implementation.
S/he provides technical and advisory support to the partners, coach them and identify their training needs to provide/build their technical capacity. S/He will coordinate and collaborate with other agencies including R/Municipalities, sectorial units at district level and concerned ministries/departments at provincial level for successful implementation of the program/program. S/he also represent Plan International Nepal in external meetings including thematic clusters at district and provincial level.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Design and Develop strategy/framework

• Provide technical support to partners and local governments to formulate gender transformative education plans and policies contributing to gender transformative and inclusive education infrastructure, learning contents and pedagogy.
• Ensure the programs are designed to strengthen ability of girls, CWDs and Dalits to claim their rights to equal education opportunities and quality education
• Support in drafting and finalising Education program sector proposals working with program team at Regional & Country Office along with partner staff and Business Development team at Country Office
• Provide technical support to authorities of provincial Education Sector Master Plan, contribute to develop strategies that support, model and advocate for disability and social inclusion in education and reduce the barriers for children with disabilities (CWDs) to ensure a welcoming learning environment for the children of all backgrounds.
• Ensure the programs are designed to strengthen inclusive and transformative educational governance at school and rural/municipalities.

Project Management

• Lead project planning and implementation of overall education program being implemented in Dolpa with special responsibility on the project – STEAM Ahead: Showing Talent, Equality & Ambition of Marginalised children in Karnali, a three-and-half year project funded by European Commission which is set to commence the implementation in Dolpa starting from January, 2021.
• Act as a consortium lead for the education project – STEAM Ahead: Showing Talent, Equality & Ambition of Marginalised children in Karnali and provide strategic oversight and guidance to consortium partners for high quality project implementation.
• Ensure project cycle is duly followed for the project including project set up, kick off meetings, implementation of activities as per detail implementation plan (DIP), mid and end term evaluation.
• Ensure education projects being implemented in Dolpa follow project management tools with routinely update as required.
• Review all Field Office projects under Education program periodically and ensure project objectives are achieved effectively.
• Provide technical support to Education Development and Coordination Unit, Dolpa to undertake district level education planning and reviews.
• Ensure establishment and operation of gender responsive mechanisms in targeted schools to report and manage cases of bullying, sexual abuse and violence and harassments in close coordination with Program Specialist – Thrive (CP) and Technical Advisor – Protection.
• Review Partners proposal/ provide feedback before forwarding it to Sr. Technical Advisor – Learn at Country Office
• Review project documents and progress report to ensure activities carried out are of quality and implemented punctually.
• Identify risks and challenges in the project implementation, management and provide solution to achieve project goal / results.
• Identify the training needs/gap of partner staffs and provide training as required to develop their technical expertise. Monitor their progress through an annual capacity assessment and regular reflection of task delivery.
• Conduct regular reviews on budgets and work plans to ensure compliance with donor specific requirements and address any changes to the original plan in time.
• Monitor project progress both on expenditure and quality of delivery against objectives/quality benchmarks and put corrective actions in place as required.
• Develop project implementation guidelines and quality benchmarks to support partners for quality implementation of the project. o Put in place a robust knowledge management system within projects to feed in learning and disseminate project innovation and good practices.
• Ensure timeliness and quality of periodic reports submitted to the donors as agreed.

Monitoring and supervision

• Work closely with MER Team to carry out baseline, midline and end line surveys of the education projects being implemented in Dolpa.
• Ensure effective project monitoring by taking necessary corrective actions that are being followed up and reviewed periodically.
• Prepare project monitoring plan and ensure its prompt implementation in coordination with MER team.
• Undertake frequent field monitoring visits and report the performance against established schedules and targets with regular update in SAP as per the milestones set in PO.
• Work closely with Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Officer at Field Office, MER Coordinator, Program Specialist – Learn at Regional Office; and MER Specialist – Learn, Sr. Technical Advisor – Learn at Country Office to ensure that implementation of activities is done in line with M&E requirements. This includes ensuring that links exist with reporting requirements, data management, and documentation of best practices, case studies and learning and as set out in plan/log frame of the Project.
• Consolidate and report all education projects monthly and quarterly to the Regional Manager and Sr. Technical Advisor – Learn.
• Prepare and finalize the final version of donor reports and share it to Business Development Team as per donor reporting compliance.
• Ensure project follows
• Ensure capacity building of local government staff in effective management of IEMIS Data.
• Coordinate with provincial government for monitoring students’ progress and periodic review of overall project.
• Provide technical support to municipal and provincial level government to make best use of data in their education planning process through input, analysis and utilization of data.

Working in Partnership

• Liaise with local, district and provincial government and non-government stakeholders for effecting project implementation, policy dialogue and influencing.
• Work closely with Regional Office team and partners to achieve program quality as per Program Quality Policy, building better partnership-global guideline, global approach to program and influencing.
• Assess the partner’s capacity in terms of technical skills for project delivery, design a training plan to enhance their capacity and monitor it regularly in coordination with Regional Manager, Program Specialist – Learn and Sr. Technical Advisor – Learn.
• Strengthen the capacity of implementing partner organizations on strengthening gender transformative and inclusive education facilities and system for all children especially for girls, children with disabilities and Dalit children.
• Working together with local authorities to identify key area to strengthen stronger inclusive and gender-sensitive education governance at school and village/municipal level.

Advocacy & Campaigns

• Contribute to develop priority local/district/provincial level campaigns ensuring harmonisation with global/national priority campaigns in collaboration with Influencing, Campaigns and Communications Team.
• Maintain close coordination with development agencies at local, district and provincial level for collective presence, cooperation and influencing for the promotion of inclusive and gender transformative education.
• Lead sectorial networking and representation at local/district level and support it for provincial level; and build relationships and alliances with relevant networks, government bodies, federations and other agencies at local, district and provincial level.
• Lead evidence based lobby and advocacy within the sectorial program in planning and delivering campaigning and advocacy work at local and district level; and ensure that programme plans include influencing objectives.
• Represent Plan in relevant committees, professional networks and mechanism to maintain organization’s professional image.
• Be innovative to lead campaigns at local and advocacy for disability and social inclusion in education and reduce the barriers for children with disabilities (CWDs) to ensure a welcoming learning environment.
• Contribute to communications and media work as required.

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People (SCYP) 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 RESPONSIBILITIES

The position holder will work with Program, Finance, MER and Operations team at RO to achieve project deliverables in a timely and efficient manner. S/He will bring technical expertise to the team achieve the organization influencing goals working with Influencing, Campaigns and Communications Team. S/He will work closely with Program Specialist – Learn, Finance Specialist, Sr. Technical Advisor – Learn for technical areas and Regional Manager to support project implementation, progress monitoring, budget spending/ liquidation, donor compliance and reporting. S/He will lead project team members in Dolpa at Plan including M & E Officer and Finance Coordinator.
The position holder will represent Plan International Nepal’s internal and external networks at local, district and provincial level to develop strategic relationships with stakeholders, including government officials, UN agency, other likeminded organizations and partner organisations. S/he will establish a good rapport with civil society, local level government agencies, policy makers at provincial level, multilateral agencies, academics, Community people, Private sector and Chamber of Commerce at district and local levels.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE , SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Education Qualifications and experience

• Master’s Degree in Education or equivalent relevant field
• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in designing/managing Education portfolios.
• Advanced knowledge and experience of International and National Education program, projects and policies
• In depth knowledge and experience on policy provisions in education at federal, provincial and local levels, understanding of gaps and scope of influencing
• Proven experience of managing team, budgets and other management domains
• Work experience on local level partnership/coordination
• Experience of development and humanitarian issues affecting children, women and families
• Up to date on various project design and evaluation models and government program and policies.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, a variety of team members and external contacts through good written and spoken communication skills.
•  Comprehensive understanding of the socio/political economic and cultural issues of Nepal.
•  Advanced knowledge and experience of National Education program, project and policies o Experience of development and humanitarian issues affecting children, women and families
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in successfully using key influencing strategies such as advocacy, lobbying, movement building, or policy development
• Strong knowledge of child and women’s rights and gender justice
• Good understanding of the development and NGO sector.

Skills

• Analytical, strategic thinking and negotiating skills.
• Ability to build effective relations for influencing and team work.
• Excellent organisation and prioritizing skills
• Ability to write clearly and concisely in English and Nepali
• Innovative and creative thinking with problem solving
• Managing work relationships (internal/external), coordination and networking.
• Proven IT skills: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint etc.
• Report writing and documentation.
• Ability to prioritise and multitask work when dealing with competing deadlines, sometimes with limited resources.

Attitude and Behaviours

• Respect and promote marginalized people; men/women, boy /girls, youth and young women and recognize their capabilities and ideas.
• Takes responsibility for social change, gender sensitive and transparent.
• Taking initiative to be innovative and creative to achieve results.
• Strives for quality in all they do, respecting deadlines, working continuously to improve performance.
• Takes responsibility for their actions, and learn from behaviour, successes and failures.
• Supports gender equality, diversity and multi-sociocultural and challenges forms of inequality or harassment.
• Encourages children young people, partners and colleagues to be meaningfully involved in decisions that affect them.
• Listens to and understand views of colleagues and partners. Draws on their experience and learning to ensure high quality and result oriented work.
• Ability to build, nurture and manage team.
• Ability to work comfortably and sensitively across cultures.
• Uses evidence-based results to make choices and drive change.

PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTISE

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

• We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential
• We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace o
• We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

• The position is based in Dolpa district of Karnali Province with frequent travel to project areas including provincial capital, Birendrangar Surkhet as required.

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN

High level: Frequent interaction with children

Last date to apply: 1 January, 2021

HOW TO APPLY

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