Plan International
Position: Project Director
Department & Location: Programs (Project Based in Kilifi and Kwale).
Department & Location: Programs (Project Based in Kilifi and Kwale).
Date: December 2016
Reports to (position): Deputy Country Director (Programs)
Purpose: How does this post
support Plan’s strategy and mission?
We believe in the power and
potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence,
exclusion and discrimination. And it’s 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.
Project Background – Tulinde
Tusome
In partnership with Global
Affairs Canada (GAC), Plan International Kenya is implementing a
multi-disciplined education and child protection project titled Tulinde
Tusome.
The project’s ultimate
outcome is improved access to protective and quality school and community
environments for children, particularly vulnerable girls and boys, in Kwale and
Kilifi Counties.
The project spans 5 years
from July 2014 to November 2019 and targets 180,000 direct beneficiaries and
1,700,000 indirect beneficiaries.
Plan collaborates with
multiple partners in the implementation of this project, including government
ministries and civil society organizations.
Summary of Position: The primary
responsibility of the Project Director (PD) is to lead the strategic outcomes
of Tulinde Tusome by ensuring the effective, timely and coordinated management
of this 10+ million CAD project.
This role is responsible for
strategic direction and planning, results achievement, quality programming and
implementation, financial management, personnel management, donor relations and
reporting, stakeholder and partner relationship management, and monitoring
& evaluation.
Dimensions of Role:
The post-holder will
primarily work in Kwale and Kilifi counties where this Project is based.
The PD is responsible for
leading a small team of professionals across multiple locations within the two
mentioned Counties and will have oversight of all other contributing staff and
consultants on this project.
S/he will work closely with
Plan International Kenya’s leadership, technical and grants teams; Program Unit
offices in Kwale and Kilifi; Plan International Canada and Headquarters’
offices; national and county government departments; and local implementing
partners.
The PD will also manage
relations with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) in Nairobi and be responsible for
ensuring donor guidelines and requirements are consistently met.
The success of this position
will be measured through ability to achieve the project’s results.
The PD will uphold Plan's
Core Values, promote mission and vision, and program principals (transparency,
gender equity and diversity) to enhance program impact, as well as ensure
modelling of Plan’s values among all project staff.
Program Leadership and Financial Management
- Lead high
quality, results-oriented program planning, implementation and reporting
in compliance with donor, government and partnership agreements.
- Design and
oversee an annual program cycle and budget for the project in accordance
with donor’s annual planning cycle and compliance requirements.
- Oversee staff
and partner work plans, deliverables and compliance requirements.
- Create management
systems and processes consistent with program needs.
- Coordinate
efficient procurement of project supplies and services with finance,
program and procurement colleagues.
- Ensure program
strategies in education and child protection adhere to best practices in
the sector, integrating gender equality, child participation, inclusion
and environmental sustainability as cross-cutting themes.
- Ensure that
local laws and operational policies and protocols, including for security,
are observed and respected.
- Serve as
primary liaison with Plan International Canada on administrative,
programmatic, financial and technical matters.
Expected Results:
- Effective
execution of the project in accordance with donor agreements, annual work
plans and budgets.
- Monitor
expenditure on a monthly basis to ensure spending is on track, and ensure
forecasts are updated based on activities and in compliance with donor
regulations.
- Ensure donor
compliance requirements are met and the project is consistently ready for
audit.
- Prepare programmatic
and financial reports for donor, government and the country office as
required. This will involve compiling of information from a range of
program and financial staff, and working in teams to produce reports.
- Procurement of
supplies and services is completed in an efficient manner and in
accordance with the Plan’s Operations Manual.
- Ensure
effective and efficient use of all program resources.
Strategic Direction and
Program Quality
- Finalize the
project’s quality strategy and develop a clear plan for execution.
Internalize the outcomes in the Performance Measurement Framework (PMF),
understanding the current position of the outcome and the target to be
achieved.
- Lead regular
planning and reflection sessions with the Tulinde Tusome team, local
partners and government officials. As PD you will have the oversight and
decision-making responsibility on program quality.
- Work with
program staff and technical advisors to identify the technical support
needs of the project and ensure this support is provided.
- Applying a
children’s rights-based approach, assess the level of gender equality,
child protection, inclusion and meaningful child participation integrated
into key project activities to ensure that all project activities are
safe, supportive and inclusive spaces.
- Identify
barriers, risks and opportunities to higher achievement of gender quality,
child participation, child protection and inclusion, as well as practical,
feasible actions to address those factors.
- Develop, review
and edit training manuals and activity guidelines to ensure achievement of
project objectives and emphasis of key messages.
- Continuous
monitoring of training and activity sessions (including in-person visits
and reviewing activity reports) to ensure plans translate into practice;
and provide constructive feedback to improve future activities.
- Oversee the
implementation and maintenance of M&E tools and frameworks.
Expected Results:
- Finalized
project strategy on quality and linkage across results, complete with an
operational plan (priorities, processes, timelines and responsibilities).
- Monthly work
plans are adjusted based on outcomes of planning and reflection meetings,
site visits, and review of activity reports to identify successful
approaches and quality gaps.
- Prioritized
list of activities to focus on gender equality, child protection, child
participation and inclusion, along with clear actions to support each
activity.
- Completed
manuals and facilitation guidelines to support training programs and
activities.
- Oversee
effective M&E processes for measuring the effects / impacts of the
project, and that project data is disseminated to relevant stakeholders.
Synergy, Communication and
Coordination
- Foster and
maintain effective and professional relationships with and between all
project staff, partners and stakeholders.
- Lead donor
communication and relationship management in Nairobi.
- Organize and
facilitate relevant committees and meetings between key stakeholders and
regular coordination meetings in accordance with the governance structure
of the project.
- Lead knowledge
development and sharing.
- Leverage
opportunities and synergies with other projects both internal (Plan) and
external (other partners and stakeholders
Expected Results:
- Ensure that
agreed roles, responsibilities and deliverables between project staff,
partners and stakeholders are fulfilled.
- Maintain a
positive relationship with Global Affairs Canada in Nairobi.
- Foster strong
coordination and collaboration among partners through regular coordination
meetings/project reviews, joint field visits, action planning and ensuring
partners have copies of quarterly work plans.
- Ensure
productive relationships, synergy and good communications with and between
all stakeholders.
- Document and
share best practices and lessons learned, and monitor the integration of
these into programming.
Human Resources Management
- Lead and manage
a team of 8 staff, to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment,
capacity, and teamwork.
- Participate in
staff and consultant recruitment, in collaboration with Human Resources
and program stakeholders.
Expected Results:
- Directly
supervise, build capacity and mentor 8 staff.
- Conduct
periodic reviews of staff performance in line with Plan International
performance management system.
- Ensure the
internal planning of the team in accordance with the work plan of the
Program Unit and other partners involved in the program.
- Clarify roles,
delegate responsibilities to senior staff, and clearly communicate
expectations for staff contribution to program activities.
- Ensure that
staff welfare issues are communicated through appropriate human resource
and management structures as well as back to/with staff.
- Handle
grievances and participate in disciplinary hearings as relevant.
Knowledge, Skills,
Behaviours, and Experience Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:
Educational Qualification
& Experience
- Masters degree
in an interdisciplinary areas such as International Development, Strategic
Planning, Program Management, etc. or equivalent knowledge gained through
experience.
- At least 10
years of demonstrable experience in managing government and bilateral
donor funded grants.
- Progressive
experience working for INGOs in increasingly senior positions (Chief of
Party / Program Director level strongly preferred), ideally in Kenya.
- Previous
management of projects with budgets of $10 million or higher, and with
multiple partners (including government and civil society).
- Experience
managing complex and multi-thematic programs, specifically in areas of
education and child protection
- Track record of
achieving programmatic results and impact.
- Strong
understanding of gender responsive programming and meaningful child
participation in programs.
- Knowledge of
development challenges and context in Kenya, in particular of education
and child protection systems.
- Remote
management of project staff
- Demonstrated
experience working collaboratively without the need for close supervision.
- Ability to
communicate clearly and professionally in person and with remote teams.
- Familiarity
with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) guidelines and requirements.
- Experience in
child-centered programming.
- Fluent in both
English and Swahili.
- Proficient
computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications (e.g.
word processing, spreadsheet, database, internet).
Competencies
- 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.
Leadership Attitudes and
Behaviours
- Proven
leadership, inter-personal and cross-cultural skills, and ability to build
and motivate multi-disciplinary teams.
- Possesses a
demonstrated ability to establish strong working relationships with senior
representatives of international donors, national and local governments
and local partners.
- Ability to take
responsibility, make decisions and monitor implementation in a timely
manner.
- Ability to
effectively lead multi-stakeholder meetings and processes.
- Demonstrable
skills in strategic planning, financial and human resources management,
supervision, and budgeting.
- Demonstrated
ability to implement programs with rigorous timelines and deliverables and
to track program quality through donor approved monitoring and evaluation
systems.
- Ability to
compile and finalize reports, analysis and briefing notes for senior
management and stakeholders.
- Strong
negotiating, facilitation & influencing skills while maintaining
political neutrality.
- Demonstrated
creativity and willingness to innovate.
- Strong
analytical skills and problem solving skills.
- Ability to work
under pressure, multi-task and meet deadlines.
- Commitment to
working transparently and with integrity
Values: Commitment to Plan
International Kenya’s core values and behaviours:
Physical Environment and
Demands: Ability
to travel 50% of the time (dependent on duty station)
Level of Contact with
Children: Medium
contact - Occasional interaction with children
The position will be based in
Mombasa / Kilifi with frequent travel to Kwale / Kilifi Program Units.
Level of contact with
children will be occasional.
How to Apply
To view the entire job descriptions and make an online application, please visit
How to Apply
To view the entire job descriptions and make an online application, please visit