Plan International Sierra Leone

Job Announcement (1 Position for nationals only) 

12-07-23 Programme Coordinator

Plan International is an independent non-profit development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion, and discrimination. And it is girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters, and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national, and global levels using our reach, experience, and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

We are currently seeking to recruit:

Title:                 Programme Coordinator 

Grade:             D2

Location:          Country Office

Department:    Programs 

Reports to:       Team Leader 

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

Working in over 70 developing countries globally, Plan International strives 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 into adulthood

The School Feeding project will be implemented in Bo, Moyamba, Kailahun, & Port Loko. The project is to support the Free Quality Education Initiative of the Government of Sierra Leone. The design aims at ensuring children’s access, retention, and completion of primary school education in the targeted districts by providing nutritious meals to pre and primary-school children.

In close consultation with the Team Leader and M&E Coordinator, this position will be responsible for reporting (Monthly, Quarterly, and annual), activity implementation, data security, collaboration/ coordination with the National School Feeding Program and other related donor agencies like FAO, UNICEF, WFP, USAID, WB, and IMF

DIMENSIONS OF ROLE

The Program Coordinator reports to the Team leader with a dotted reporting line to the Head of Program Quality. He/ She will be charged with the responsibility of supporting project and program implementation within all Plan International Sierra Leone operational areas. The Program Coordinator will ensure the following:

• Ensuring that the project is meeting the set indicators and delivering outputs towards the overarching outcome both on-site and through written project activity reports.
• Follow-up to ensure high-quality program implementation is achieved as stated in the proposal
• Play a key role in Portfolio growth. He/she will be able to identify key programming gaps and in consultation with the business development manager be able to write concept notes that will attract further funding.
• Ensure a smooth relationship between Plan International Sierra Leone and the government of Sierra Leone is maintained.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Managing activities and resources including skills in project design, planning, monitoring, and reporting

• In coordination with the MERL Specialist and M&E coordinator, participate in program assessments and evaluations.
• Collecting data, and writing up monthly reports for NO Management, CNO Management, and MBSSE
• Collecting data and writing detailed quarterly reports to be submitted to CNO Management and NO Management
• Creating and presenting a monthly brief to be shared with high-level ministers each month to update on project progress
• Lead in documentation and review of ISFP reports, filing, and system backups (Local drives, Cloud, Team, Share point, etc.)
• Lead in backing up data, reports, and systems so that they are retrievable for audits and future reports/dissemination for the next seven years.
• Assisting Accountability Officer with the Telerivet system, including dissemination of feedback and training of systems and applications
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor the implementation of school feeding and HGSF activities, analyze the situation and identify challenges and proactively respond on the spot and bring issues and recommendations to PISL and MBSSE

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal contacts 

• ISFP Team Leader
• Head of Program Quality
• M&E Coordinator
• Child Protection & Safeguarding Specialist
• Commodities Tracking Coordinator
• Business Development Manager
• Education Sector Specialist
• PIIA Managers

External contacts 

• Implementing Partners
• MBSSE

• Consultants
• Relevant stakeholders at community and district levels

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential:

• B.A / BSC Degree in agriculture, nutrition, humanities, international relations, international aid, social work, development, economics, and or related disciplines
• At least 5 years of work experience in humanitarian or development contexts including but not limited to youth engagement, program development, donor negotiation, and/or business development
• At least two years experience in donor relations and/or managing partners
• Personal values, ethics, and attitudes that are in alignment with Plan International principles

Desirable:

• Strong report writing & communication skills
• Ability to monitor evidence-based solutions for gender transformative programmes.
• Community facilitation, networking, partnership development, and management skills
• Good communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills
• Good interpersonal, relationship, and team working
• Ability to travel extensively, work in difficult situations, and manage a large, diverse portfolio of projects and activities
• Strong problem-solving, logistical and analytical skills
• Professional integrity and accountability
• Able to keep the big picture in mind and work in detail
• Ability to work under pressure
• Planning and organization skills
• Solutions orientated focused on program outcomes
• Ability to develop mutual trusting relationships with complex partnerships that have excellent business outcomes

• Remains calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations

• Comfortable working with colleagues from different cultures and various internal departments
• Ability to respond/manage multiple demands from various sites/departments

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

• The role will be required to travel to the targeted locations frequently to ensure timely technical support and supervision to the project participants.

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN

• Medium contact – The job responsibilities of this position require the post holder to have medium contact with children. It is expected that children shall be protected at all times

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) 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.

Ensure staff understands Plan International’s commitment to driving a feminist agenda within the organization, and the ambition for gender equality and gender transformative leadership is embedded in our value-based leadership framework.

PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES 

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 organization 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 maximize 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.

Applications: 

Last date for submission of Applications (CV and cover letter) is: 25th July 2023 by 5:00 pm

Your application should include:
·         A cover letter
·         A comprehensive CV including details of two referees, one of whom should be your current of most recent supervisor

  Send applications to the below link: Sierra-Leone.Recruitment@plan-international.org

Only short-listed candidates shall be contacted. References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People’s Policy.

Plan International follows an equal opportunity policy and actively encourages diversity welcoming applications from all especially women and people living with disability.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.