Plan International Nepal
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Policy Influencing Manager
Number of Vacant Position: 1
Location: Kathmandu
Functional Area: Influence, Campaign and Communications (ICC)
Reports to: Director of Influencing, Campaigns and Communications
Location: Nepal Country Office, Kathmandu
Travel required: Plan International Nepal working districts
Grade: D2
Type: Fixed-Term Employment for 2 years based in Country Office Lalitpur
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.
ROLE PURPOSE
The Policy Influencing Manager will pay a key role in shaping and driving advocacy strategies and support program teams to scale our impact and contribute to policy development / implementation. The position will strengthen and build strategic partnerships to advance influencing priorities and play a key role in taking Plan International work in external forums. S/he will be working closely with the Director to deliver on policy goals by connecting local, regional and national, influencing efforts.
H/She practices 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.
Description
DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE
Reports to: Director of Influencing, Campaigns and Communication
Budget Accountability: Some, as delegated by the ICC Director
Number of direct reports: None
Number of Indirect reports: None
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Support ICC team to the development and smooth implementation of departmental strategy and operational plans.
- Manage relationships with Plan’s advocacy partners to strengthen collective advocacy objectives, ensuring Plan’s policy positions are effectively presented and opportunities for engagement maximized.
- Support BD/STAs during proposal writing by providing ideas and information about government laws and position in their areas
- Keeps up-to-date with policy changes and analyses their impact on girls in Nepal and on Plan’s work.
- With support from ICC Director work closely with the MERL team in developing and implementing approaches to monitoring and evaluation/impact assessment influencing and campaigning work
- Works with Program teams to develop evidence-based policy positions to drive positive change for the girls.
- Supports the ICC Director in overall policy analysis, coordinating the production of briefing papers, policy position and and coordinate research initiatives as required
- Build strong relationships with program teams on good practice around power analysis, evidence-based advocacy, public campaigning, effective messaging and risk assessment.
- Work with ICC Director and team to create clear and accessible tools and resources around policy influencing for teams to maximize their programme impact Demonstrated experience in advocacy, lobbying, government engagement, coordination and networking
- Strong ability to influence and put across the views of the organization to stakeholders
- Strategic thinking and analytical skills
- Any other responsibilities as assigned by the organization
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Education: Master’s Degree in Development Studies, Sociology, Rural Development or in any relevant field
Experience: Minimum five years’ experience in policy influencing and working with relevant stakeholders and key government functionaries.
Contextual: Ability to understand the context that Plan International is working in Nepal and work with others to devise influencing activities around it.
Policies: Various plans and policies of the government, particularly in the areas that Plan International is engaged in with its partners and communities
Sectorial: Informed about the civil society landscape of Nepal and knowledge about the likeminded organizations engagement in the sector
People Skills: Ability to provide strategic guidance to program teams and partners in the areas of policy influencing. Ability to listen to and support program staff and partners, and to work with communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.
Integrity: Works with trustworthiness and integrity and has a clear commitment to Plan International’s core values.
Adaptability and flexibility: Ability to operate effectively under challenging circumstances. Willing to travel up to 30% of time.
Interpersonal: interact, communicate, and collaborate with others effectively has empathy is an active listener and possesses and emotional intelligence.
Communication Skills: Well developed written and oral communication skills in English and Nepali. Able to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders.
Computer Skills: Basic computing skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Preferably skills related to virtual network communication using the Internet.
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
- 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
- We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives.
Physical Environment
- Based in Country Office, Lalitpur with travel to Area Office and project areas.
- Able to work in difficult circumstances (remote, disaster areas, etc.)
- Work with multi-culture and multi-lingual staff/team members/ government stakeholders
Level of contact with children
Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children
Say Yes ! To Keeping Children and Young people safe and Protected
Application Deadline: Tuesday, 27 December 2022
Source: Kantipur Dainik, 14 December, 2022