Plan International
JOB OPPORTUNITY
External Relations Specialist
Number of Vacant Position: 1
Functional Area: Influencing & communication
Reports to: Influencing, Campaigns and Communication Director
Location: Nepal Country Office, Kathmandu
Travel required: Plan International Nepal working districts
Grade: D1
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 12 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 75 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
The overall responsibility of this position is to ensure that all activities that Plan International Nepal implements meet the requirements of the Government of Nepal, at all levels. S/He will be be responsible for good maintaining good working relationship primarily, with Social Welfare Council (SWC), relevant government ministries/departments and organisations/networks that share common agenda for change in the lives children and adolescence girls in Nepal.
The position will also support Program and Operation teams to ensure that the functioning of the organization in compliance with SWC and other government requirements.
Description
Key Relationships
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Ensure that Plan International Nepal’s program and project is up-to-date and in line with government compliance and requirement for Project implementation.
- Coordinate with government bodies for the approval of various programs and projects run by Plan International Nepal.
- Train/monitor/support the local implementing partner/s to ensure compliance with Nepal government’s rules and regulations, SWC requirements.
- Build and maintain good working relationship with government agencies (ministries, SWC)
- Organize regular learning/sharing/exposure events/visits for government officials at district and national level.
- Ensure General Agreement and Project Agreements with government authority and their amendments are made in time as necessary.
- Ensure effective and timely preparation, delivery and presentation of CPAC, DPAC and other project related government meetings
- Organisational representation in external forums to enhance positive organisation branding
- Networking and liaison with concerned stakeholders at Federal, Provincial and National level
- Any other tasks as assigned by the Manager
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge:
- Nuanced understanding and knowledge of development issues, trend, challenges, opportunities and implications to community development
- Experience and knowledge of child rights programming, gender transformative and inclusive strategies and development programming
- Understanding the workings of various agencies of the Government.
- Sound understanding of the relationship and expectations between the GoN and INGOs
- Knowledge of Government Compliance/ SWC requirements for INGOs in Nepal
- Knowledge of internal audit, audit and policy implementation
Skill:
- Master’s Degree in development studies, sociology, rural development with 2-3 years of experience in relevant area or a Bachelors degree in development studies, sociology, rural development with 4-5 years of experience
- Demonstrated experience in advocacy, lobbying, engagement, coordination and networking, especially with government
- Flexibility and ability to multi-tasking under pressure
- Strong ability to communicate and negotiate at different levels and effective interpersonal skills
- Effective written and oral communication skills, including presentation in Nepali and English.
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
- 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
