🇸🇱 Job Vacancies @ Plan International – 4 Positions

Plan International is recruiting to fill the following positions:

1.) Livelihood Coordinator (x2)
2.) Project Manager – Sponsorship Programme (SPADs)
3.) Evaluation & Research Coordinator

See job details and how to apply below.

1.) Livelihood Coordinator (x2)

Title:                 Livelihood Coordinator (X 2)

Grade:             Level 14

Location:          Port Loko & Moyamba 

Department:    Programme 

Reports to:       Project Manager – SPADs

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

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. Child sponsorship is a means Plan International employs to generate long-term and reliable income and support for Plan International’s child-centered community development (CCCD) and rights-based programmes. It is the cornerstone on which the organisation was established and it remains the foundation aspect of the work we do. Sierra Leone implements SPADs in Pork Loko and Moyamba districts.

Plan International Sierra Leone is recruiting a Livelihood Coordinator – SPADs to lead the coordination and implementation of the Livelihood component of the SPADs intervention.

DIMENSIONS OF ROLE

The Livelihood Coordinator is responsible for managing of the livelihood component of the SPADs project in Port Loko and Moyamba respectively. He/she will work very closely with communities, Project participants, Local Authorities, National and International NGOs, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to ensure effective planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Livelihood activities for Plan in the district. The Coordinator will ensure that projects are implemented as per the approved proposals and Plan International programming approach. He/she is also responsible for the preparation of high-quality reports in a timely manner

ACCOUNTABILITIES

The Livelihood Coordinator will be responsible for the following:

• Overall supervision of Livelihood activities within the SPADs program
• Undertake community vulnerability assessments in targeted communities to define community gaps and provide basis for planning.
• Lead the identification and selection of the project participants jointly with the communities, village agents and local leaders/authority using set of criteria.
• Facilitate planning, organizing, and management of agricultural-related activities including village savings and loan associations (VSLAs), women farmers groups, women vocational training and promote life skills at the community level
• Facilitate integration of agricultural activities into other related projects in the organization especially the food security section of the Integrated School Feeding Programme (ISFP) in sponsoring communities.
• Networking with relevant government departments, ministries, and agencies e.g. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Services, Ministry of social welfare, and District Councils.
• Strive to ensure marketing for the produce of the women farmers group and women’s vocational training
• Ensure sustainability of the VSLA and farmers groups and improve their financial capacity.
• Facilitate women’s vocational skills process and monitor the distribution of start-up kits.
• Facilitate training of project participants and village agents on climate-smart approaches in farming and VSLA principles, procedures and actions, financial literacy and recording, and related topics.
•  Develop work plans (Weekly, Monthly, and Quarterly) to ensure effective implementation of all livelihood-related activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan.
• Conduct an assessment of financial service providers and challenges in reaching vulnerable groups.
• Link the VSLA groups to Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies and Micro Financial Institutions (MFI) services for further financial access.
• Regularly monitor, follow up and provide technical support to VLSAs members and ensure quality practice and function as per standard.
• Facilitate the identification of village level VSLA agents to enhance community awareness and ownership/sustainability of VSLA approach.
• Supervise the livelihood component of the project including VSLA Agents and women farmers groups and women vocational skill development at all levels.
• Effectively represent Plan International at all levels.
• Participate in workshops, trainings and meetings organized by Plan International and other agencies and contribute effectively to the success of the events.

Key technical tasks and areas of Accountability include:            

• Lead and provide technical inputs on VSLA, Agriculture, life skills and financial inclusion in the design and preparation of new livelihood proposals.
• Facilitate and ensure establishment of VSLA groups in targeted communities, conduct trainings as necessary on Livelihood including VSLA implementation and principles, risk management, etc.
• Oversee, provide coaching mentorship within all components of VSLA, Agriculture and Life skills sessions in the project
• Ensuring technical quality and standards are considered and respected during implementation.
• Ensure the full participation, awareness of the project by engaging with key partners (donor, Government offices, the community, and targeted participants) in all stages of implementation
• Ensure that all activities meet community needs; promote gender equality and ensure full and equal participation of women in all aspects, making sure that the program is an opportunity for peace making, not community division.
• Facilitate and organize exchange visits and any other events for the VSLA participants and leaders to share learning and experience.
• Identify high-capacity vocational skills training center for the youth and women to learn different skills as per market demand/market survey results in order to equip with required skills for self-employment.
• Collaborate with the SPADS Project Manager for all decisions related to VSLAs and pre-urban livelihoods and carry out any other duties as may be assigned by the Line supervisor.
• Work closely in teamwork with livelihoods such as the School Feeding program, Logistics and finance.

Monitoring and Evaluation of Livelihood in Spads

• Undertake regular monitoring field visit to all Livelihood interventions where SPADs is implemented
• Conduct regular follow-up and provide support to VSLAs graduates to see if they are applying the technologies and practices and provide technical assistance where there are gaps.
• Track progress of livelihood related activities, savings groups and VSLAs activities to measure progress against targets
• In collaboration with the MERL unit, facilitate the development of tools and data collection from savings groups, women farmers groups.
• Monitor all women that are empowered through vocational training
• Undertake regular monitoring and supervision of VSLA, Agriculture and life skills interventions in the project
• Consolidate/compile monthly, quarterly, and annual activity reports and special events showing achievements, lessons learnt, constraints, and recommendations and submit to supervisor on agreed time
• Carry out quarterly/annual review meetings to assess performance of activities against set targets at the community and program level.
• Conduct assessment using appropriate tools to collect information and document the impact and benefits of the intervention by producing case stories
• Participate in field level assessment and or evaluation of project performance/evaluations.
• Arrange and facilitate program visits for Plan International staff, partners, and donors
• Work closely with the Project Manager for SPADs to ensure KPIs on Livelihood are reported in SAP/ PMERL

Project Reporting

• Prepare high quality timely project field activity monthly, quarterly and annual reports on Livelihood interventions
• Prepare monthly budget of VSLA and livelihood activities submit to the supervisor for approval
• Prepare detail implementation workplan and ensure the respective team members are aware and is properly implemented and targeted indicators achieved
• Work closely with Plan Comms department to share case stories and achievement on Livelihoods

Networking and Advocacy

• Work closely with the comms department for the review and finalization of SPAD’s case stories including the documentation of references and learning materials
• Strengthen interdepartmental collaboration to aid information exchange within the organization, while utilizing the knowledge management base resources
• Coordinate with partners to create effective synergies that contribute to maximizing the project impact.
• Contribute to Plan efforts in influencing and advocacy and ensure mainstreaming of participatory approach within the project.

Partnerships and Capacity-Building  

• Roll-out capacity-building plans and activities for staff and partners as appropriate
• Contribute to the review of technical tool and capacity-building resources and ensure they are adapted and contextualized to the SPADs interventions context.
• Regularly deliver capacity-building sessions, such as on-the-job coaching, mentorship, and trainings, to staff and volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• Support ongoing identification of technical capacity gaps among programme team.
• Regularly updated the Sector Specialists on progress related to partner capacity-building and feedback on technical tools and resources

Key Relationship

Internal:

• Gender Transformative Animators
• Livelihood Coordinators
• Team Leader, Integrated School feeding Project
• Head of Programme Implementation
• Programme Implementation and Influencing Area Managers
• Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning Specialist
• Gender Equality and Inclusion Advisor
• Child Protection/Safeguarding Specialist
• Business Development Manager
• Other Technical Specialists

External:

• Engage with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Education, and other relevant line ministries
• Other relevant actors in VSLA, Food security, youth empowerment, etc

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications/Experience

• Education/Professional Background:
• BA/BSc degree in Cooperative and marketing development, Rural development, International Development, Economics, Business Administration, Agricultural Economics, Sociology, Social Science, and/or related relevant field of studies and at least 3 years’ work experience.
• Substantive knowledge and practical experience of VSLA/, Marketing Cooperative, Youth Employment, food security and resilience programs
• Proven records of effectiveness in planning, organizing, implementing and monitoring/oversight of financial inclusive project including VSLA or rural micro-finance
• Validated experience of integrating gender, protection, and diversity into programs.
• NGO experience is a plus
• Relevant and effective communication and mobilization skills to work with the local community, local Government and other partners
• Project planning and implementation experience
• proposal and report writing skills
• Effective communication internally and externally towards government, NGOs, donors, etc.
• Able to work in a team and independently
• Decision making and analytical skills
• Solutions orientated focused on program outcomes
• Attention to detail and a problem solver—able to think out of the box
• Able to keep the big picture in mind
• Able to give clear direction and manage competing priorities
• Situational leadership skills including being able to lead by example
• Remains calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations
• Aware of impact on others and adjusting own behaviour accordingly

Knowledge and skills

• Good supervision of personnel
• Good interpersonal skills
• Monitoring and evaluation skills
• Project management skills
• Planning and organizing skills
• Training delivery and facilitation skills
• Team building skills
• Good communication skills
• Good command of the English Language

Behaviors

• Continuous commitment to high performance and improvement
• Have the sense of responsibility and deadlines
• Ability to work as a team
• Being committed to the protection of the rights of the child;
• Humility towards staff, children, community members and all Plan associates
• Coaching of staff and Volunteers to ensure improvement
• Understanding of how INGOs work in general

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

• The role is based in Port Loko and Moyamba to lead the coordination and implementation of the Livelihood component of the SPADs intervention in the sponsorship communities

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN

• Maximum interaction with children

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CP) 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: 17th August 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: [email protected]

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.

2.) Project Manager – Sponsorship Programme (SPADs)

Title:                 Project Manager – Sponsorship Programme (SPADs)

Grade:             Level 15

Location:          Port Loko or Moyamba -50% travel to support the project

Department:    Programme Implementation

Reports to:       Head of Programme Implementation

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

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.

Child sponsorship is a means Plan International employs to generate long-term and reliable income and support for Plan International’s child-centered community development (CCCD) and rights-based programmes. It is the cornerstone on which the organisation was established and it remains the foundation aspect of the work we do. Sierra Leone implements SPADs in Pork Loko and Moyamba districts.

Plan International Sierra Leone is recruiting a Programme Manager – SPADs to lead the coordination and implementation of SPADs interventions.

DIMENSIONS OF ROLE

The project Manager is responsible for the overall coordination and management of the gender transformative, programmatic, and financial of all SPADs interventions in Moyamba and Port Loko in accordance with all relevant programme documents. The post holder will also support the development of strategic documents including SPADs Programme Strategy and Annual Workplan. The SPADs Project Manager will report to the Head of Programme Implementation. The post holder will frequently move between Port Loko and Moyamba districts

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Ensure SPADs programme implementation aligns with PII programme quality standards including the Global Programming and Influencing Strategy and Country Strategy.
• Provide technical support to Gender Transformative Animators and Livelihood Coordinators members with insight on quality project implementation standards policies, strategies, research, and other resources to improve project quality.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback via regular coordination meetings and learning events.
• Ensure the logical framework of the project and M&E components are well conducted in order to help decision-making for the smooth running of the project.
• Oversee project budget including generating funds forecasts, tracking expenditures, and maintaining all necessary information for timely development of financial reports. He/she will also be responsible for ensuring that the financial reporting is aligned with the narrative one
• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion 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.

Project Implementation

• Execute overall project management and partner implementation of SPADs projects on Livelihood, Child Protection, Gender and Inclusion, and Inclusive Quality Education within the deadlines and standards required by Plan International.
• Oversee project budget including generating funds forecasts, tracking expenditures, and maintaining all necessary information for the timely development of financial reports. He/she will also be responsible for ensuring that the financial reporting is aligned with the narrative.
• Ensure that the logical framework of the project and M&E components are well conducted in order to help decision-making for the smooth running of the project.
• Make frequent trips to the project areas to monitor project activities, identify opportunities and constraints, and make any necessary adjustments, including capacity strengthening.
• Regularly update the progress, priorities, and constraints of project implementation.
• Track monitoring of expenditure and ensure adaptations to project activities as required to ensure full expenditure of the portfolio.
• Work with the finance and MERL teams to set the project outline on SAP.
• Support the development of the detailed implementation plan (DIP) to align with the approved log-frames.

Representation and Monitoring

• Represent Plan in internal/external meetings including line ministries.
• Monitor the performance of the programme teams and internal Plan staff assigned to the projects to ensure all milestones set in the annual work plan are met, develop mitigation plans to reduce risks, and take corrective actions to remedy any deviation from the work plans;
• Account and report to Plan International and the donor on project performance;
• Implement portfolio according to Plan’s project cycle
• Ensure planned activities and budgets are aligned with planned project results and budget parameters.
• Support effective monitoring and evaluation for measuring the effects/impacts of the projects in the portfolio, and that program data and information are included in national data/statistics
• Ensure compliance with effective budget monitoring and management including tracking project budget in SAP/PMERL ensuring efficient resource utilization and cost-effectiveness, as well as providing the required explanation should there be any variance reported.
• Monitor project progress, identifying and addressing any issues or risks that may impact timelines or quality.
• Monitor project progress, identifying and addressing any issues or risks that may impact timelines or quality.

Project Reporting

• Liaise with Programme Team and Sector Specialists to ensure monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting requirements are clearly met.
• Responsible for providing narrative and financial reports for the overall SPADs and uploading all KPIs into Plan International systems (SAP/PMERL)
• Coordinate and follow up on programme team reporting deadlines and support reporting revisions where necessary, including receiving reports from local partners, coordinating comments and feedback, and sending the final version to the national office.
• Support the Program Functions in start-up workshop planning, preparation, and coordination
• Ensure that mutual co-learning plans are on track and that partnership monitoring tools are being appropriately used for all partners, with support from technical specialists

Networking and Advocacy

• Work closely with the comms department for the review and finalization of SPAD’s case stories including the documentation of references and learning materials
• Strengthen interdepartmental collaboration to aid information exchange within the organization, while utilizing the knowledge management base resources
• Coordinate with partners to create effective synergies that contribute to maximizing the project impact.
• Contribute to Plan efforts in influencing and advocacy and ensure mainstreaming of participatory approach within the project.

Partnerships and Capacity-Building  

• Roll out capacity-building plans and activities for programme teams.
• Contribute to the review of technical tools and capacity-building resources and ensure they are adapted and contextualized to the SPADs interventions context.
• Regularly deliver capacity-building sessions, such as on-the-job coaching, mentorship, and training, to staff and volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• Support ongoing identification of technical capacity gaps among the programme team.
• Regularly updated the Sector Specialists on progress related to partner capacity-building and feedback on technical tools and resources

Monitoring and Evaluation of SPADs Interventions

• Undertake regular monitoring field visits to all sponsorship communities where SPADs are implemented
• Track project performance using the log frame and report
• Work closely with the MERL unit to develop and share tools among project teams for data collection and reporting
• Responsible for reporting project KPIs in SAP and PMERL
• Responsible for facilitating project yearly evaluation
• Responsible for conducting project quarterly/ annual review and feedback meetings with the Team on the SPADs

Key Relationship

Internal:

• Gender Transformative Animators
• Livelihood Coordinators
• Head of Programme Implementation
• Programme Implementation and Influencing Area Managers
• Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning Specialist
• Gender Equality and Inclusion Advisor
• Child Protection/Safeguarding Specialist
• Business Development Manager
• Other Technical Specialists

External:

• Engage with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary School Education, MBSSE, Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, MHTE, and Teacher Service Commission, TSC.
• UNICEF and other relevant UN and donor Agencies
• Other relevant actors in the education sphere in Sierra Leone.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications/Experience

• Advance degree, or equivalent practical experience in interdisciplinary areas within project management, social science, international development, and leadership.
• Experienced in gender transformative and child rights approaches to development interventions.
• At least five (5) years of demonstrable experience in project management.
• At least five (5) years of experience in a managerial role, preferably in a social development setting.
• Experience in Livelihood and Education programming.
• Strong leadership skills
• Good communication and facilitation skills
• Ability to undertake strategic and programme planning
• Strong understanding of gender equality programing and meaningful child participation.
• Knowledge of development challenges and contexts in Sierra Leone, particularly child rights, girl’s rights, child protection, and youth livelihood.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively and supportively without the need for close supervision.
• Proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database, internet, SAP).

Desirable

• Believe in the potential of all people to succeed if given the right support and willingness to multi-task.
• Ability to perform under stress, innovative, build relationships, coach and mentor, facilitate change, develop teams, initiate action, strategic decision making, planning, and organizing.
• Lead through vision and mission and a personal commitment to children’s development and protection.
• Knowledge of donor rules and regulations
• Work experience in similar position in an International Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) 

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

• The role is based in Port Loko or Moyamba to lead the coordination and implementation of the Livelihood component of the SPADs intervention in the sponsorship communities.

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN

• Maximum interaction with children

Applications: 

Last date for submission of Applications (CV and cover letter) is: 17th August 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: [email protected]

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.

3.) Evaluation & Research Coordinator

Job Announcement (1 Position for nationals only) 

4-08-23 Evaluation & Research 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:                 Evaluation & Research Coordinator

Grade:             Level 13

Location:          Country Office with 40% travel   

Department:    Programme Influencing 

Reports to:       MERL Manager

DIMENSIONS OF ROLE

• Responsible for ensuring quality in E&R initiatives including Annual Review and post-intervention studies.
• Supports the rollout of other key Program Quality and Influencing Policy (PQIP) components (Situation analysis, country strategy development, review, and revision).
• Responsible for ensuring that all E&R activities are conducted in line with Plan International’s safeguarding and ethical principles, and for promoting accountability to beneficiaries.
• Responsible for disseminating key research or studies published on PISL key thematic areas
• Member of Country Office MERL unit

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Promote evidence gathering for program success or failure and knowledge of what works well and what doesn’t through the designing, planning, and implementation of high-quality evaluation and research 

Activities 

• Facilitate the development of annual evaluation and research planning in a participatory manner
• Ensure that all research and evaluation initiatives comply with Plan’s global standards
• Develop/ revise Terms of Reference (ToR) for E&R initiatives
• Submit research ToR to the global Research and Knowledge Management (RKM) team for approval
• Organize ethical clearance for research projects in compliance with Plan’s global research standards
• Support the recruitment of consultants for E&R initiatives; assess their work and make recommendations about future recruitment
• Ensure quality of evaluation and research initiatives whether internal or external
• Develop implementation plans for evaluation initiatives
• Provide input and quality control for E&R data collection tools as well as quantitative and qualitative data analysis
• Lead baseline and post-intervention studies
• Review evaluation and research reports and give recommendations regarding follow-up actions for program management
• Coordinate the implementation of internal evaluation and action research initiatives, including the design of tools
• Support the Annual Review process (TOR and budget development, organization of data collection and workshops)
• Support annual review reporting

• Support evidence-based decision-making, learning, and corrective actions in projects and program through the use of knowledge from and capacity building on E&R 

Activities 

• Organize internal and external dissemination of findings in collaboration with study commissioners for E&R initiatives
• Monitor the implementation of management responsibilities for evaluations
• Conduct after-action reviews for research projects to reflect on the findings and recommendations
• Organize internal and external dissemination of Annual Review results
• Coach and train other staff on high-quality E&R practices
• Document and disseminate internal, practices on MERL and program quality
• Contribute to E&R practices sharing within the regional Plan MERL network
• Performs any other tasks assigned by the supervisor

Monitoring, Evaluation Research, and Learning (MER) are crucial components for ensuring high-quality outcomes and impact in rights-based programming. Barriers that the Evaluation and Research Coordinator will have to deal with include: 

• Strengthening Staff Capacities: Implement comprehensive training and capacity-building initiatives for staff at the Country Office and Programme Unit levels to enhance their knowledge and application of professional evaluation and research practices.
• Establishing Clear Mandates: Clarify and communicate the specific roles and responsibilities of the MERL unit to all stakeholders to ensure a common understanding of its purpose and contribution to the organization’s overall goals.
• Enhancing Budget Allocations: Advocate for increased budget allocations for evaluation and research activities in both grants and sponsorship projects to ensure adequate resources are available to conduct robust evaluations and research studies.
• Improving Data Quality: Develop mechanisms to enhance the quality and availability of secondary data from programs and projects, enabling their use for baselines and project evaluations.

The Evaluation and Research Coordinator needs to: 

• Be able to communicate clearly the remits of the work
• Be capable of providing capacity building and coaching on E&R practices and processes
• Convince people to modify practices and procedures that they have grown accustomed to
• Handle challenges with pragmatism and flexibility.

Key Relationship

Internal:

• Country Office / Freetown staff
• Program team in the progrmme unit particularly other staff of the MER unit
• National Office (NO) staff, the RKM team at International Headquarters (IH)
• Regional Office (RO) MER team

External:

• Partners and consultants

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in demography, measurement, statistics, monitoring & evaluation, development studies, social sciences, or other relevant field; master’s degree preferred
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in evaluation and research of international development projects, preferably in education, health under five, child protection and household economic security, DRM, gender and inclusion
• Knowledge of theories of child-rights programming and child protection (programmatic and safeguarding)
• Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges and opportunities, and implications to community development
• In-depth knowledge of results-based management and demonstrated experience as a development professional in E&R
• Knowledgeable on participatory and gender-sensitive evaluation and research tools
• Understanding of gender transformative programs/projects.
• Understanding of measuring influencing project outcomes

Skills

• Skills in developing and managing qualitative and quantitative data collections
• Working experience in community participation in projects and child participation in E&R processes
• Skills for database management (design, entry, analysis)
• Strong analytical skills and ability to translate key findings into concrete programmatic recommendations;
• Ability to deliver to tight deadlines
• Good presentation skills
• Language skills necessary for the recruiting Country Office
• Skills in using Microsoft Excel and other statistical software applications relevant to MER (e.g. Kobo Toolkit, SPSS, Telerivet, and similar tools)

Behaviors

• Coaches and builds the capacity of staff at CO and PU level
• Promotes innovation and learning
• Communicates clearly and effectively
• Demonstrates clear respect to all and especially children and women without discrimination
• Acts as a team player, willing to get the best outcome overall, adjusting own priorities if necessary
• Good listening skills
• Remains calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

• Typical office environment with 40% travel to program units.

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN

• The position will be based at the Country Office and level of contact with children is medium

Applications: 

Last date for submission of Applications (CV and cover letter) is: 17th August 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: [email protected]

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.