National Coordinator – Skills and Opportunities for Youth Employment at Plan International

The Organisation

 

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.  Plan has gained vast experience since 1937 when it was established, and it works in more than 75 countries across the world.  We strive for a just world, working together with children, young people, our supporters, partners and host governments. Our work supports marginalised children and youth, especially adolescent girls, to grow up physically and mentally healthy and ready to shape their future.  We create an enabling environment and empower girls to be active drivers of change in realising their rights.  Plan International has been working in Malawi since 1994 in 14 districts, and its current strategy aims to reach 3.5 million adolescent girls and young women between 2022-2027 through different interventions.

ROLE PURPOSE

This role exists to contribute to Plan International’s Malawi ‘Skills and Opportunities for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (SOYEE)’ priority area, where youth are empowered and are active drivers of change across economic, social, and civic life of their communities.  The position will lead the development and quality delivery of impactful skills and opportunities for youth and economic entrepreneurship programming, and strengthening of youth collective action, including our work to increase resourcing for girl and youth led movements. The role provides expertise and thought leadership for the country team’s programming work, at all levels, in these areas, and will design, develop and review strategies to ensure technical soundness and consistency of programme approaches.

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

This position reports to Technical Lead SOYEE, and will work closely with closely with all Programmme technical Leads, Programme Area Managers, Project Managers, MERL and Strategic Communications teams. The post does not supervise any staff at present but will oversee SOYEE projects implementation and monitoring to ensure attainment of quality outcomes. This position will also provide technical inputs to Program Quality initiatives related to strengthening project management processes and capabilities, ensuring proper guidance and tools in SOYEE programming.

 

Accountabilities

1.0 Programme strategy design and programme development

• Lead the development and or adaptation and application of SOYEE programming approaches, principles, methodologies, and tools;
• Provide technical leadership in designing SOYEE programmes for Plan International Malawi, formulating specific strategies and goals for gender transformative programming;
• Provide technical leadership in the design of SOYEE annual plans, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for specific interventions;
• Lead development of different technical documents, reports, manuals, guidelines on participation rights and SOYEE, which align with national and international standards, strategies and approaches;
• Identify key implementing and strategic partners working in the field of SOYEE with whom Plan can work to leverage meeting its CSP objectives;
• Develop program strategies through participatory processes, including in liaison with other Heads of Sections so that integrated programming can be achieved;
• Lead analysis of national legal frameworks and the challenges and gaps that the system is facing to incentivise youths, especially young women;
• Oversee the collection of evidence and best practices from Plan International SOYEE programmes to support advocacy and influencing efforts;
• Assume a leading role on thematic issues such as skills development in general and technical and vocation education and training (TVET) in particular.

2.0 Project implementation, performance monitoring and reporting.

• Provide technical guidance to the SOYEE projects teams both sponsorship and grants during implementation by orienting project teams on SOYEE strategies and manual/tools;
• Work closely with the technical lead MERL to ensure that all project plans are complete with outcome-level monitoring and evaluation plans;
• Coordinate and direct program planning processes to ensure integration of programs, the proper understanding of program goals and objectives, and engagement and buy-in of key stakeholders;
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities, authorities, and partners and consistent with Plan’s program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards, and strategic plan;
• Integrate sustainability plans, SOYEE, and gender sensitivity and capacity building into all project activities as appropriate;
• In collaboration with the MERL department, ensure that Project Managers/ Project coordinators have access to and are appropriately using routine monitoring and periodic assessment/survey data;
• Provide technical leadership in quarterly/ interim and annual project reflection meetings with project teams for learnings and or bi-annual stock-taking to provide the records and all the necessary information as per SOYEE standard operating procedures.
• Draft and/or review scopes of work to hire and manage SOYEE technical consultants, including review of technical capacities and contract budgets;
• Cascade the SOPs to ensure effective implementation to the team implementing SOYEE project/interventions;
• Conduct field supportive supervision of the team implementing SOYEE project/interventions
• Lead the programme team in the quality implementation of all SOYEE projects;

 

3.0 Resource Mobilisation

• Lead proposal development in close coordination with the Business Development Team to secure new grants and meet the country strategy fundraising targets
• Provide sound technical inputs to Business Development to support the development of high-quality concept notes, proposals and other relevant documents
• Establish and maintain effective linkage and relationship with National Offices, internal and external donors, and development partners through fast and speedy communication as well as seeking of new opportunities in liaison with the Business Development Unit;
• Pro-actively engage with development partners and donors to mobilize resources and project funding;
• Ensure a robust understanding of Plan International Sudan’s sponsorship vision, and support the realisation of strategic alignment with programme priorities

 

4.0 Capacity Building, Coordination and Learning

• Identify areas of continuous improvement to strengthen youth participation and SOYEE programming;
• Undertake training of staff, project teams, and partner staff to ensure common understanding and vision about SOYEE programming by all staff;
• Extend technical support to partners to improve SOYEE programming and influencing;
• Coach and train other staff on high quality youth participation and SOYEE practices;
• Work in coordination with Gender Specialist and Director of Influencing to ensure strong gender transformation is embedded in all projects
• Facilitate the creation and implementation of learning and knowledge management to support youth movement and SOYEE programming capacity
• Build and scale-up programme approaches and methodologies from lessons learnt

 

5.0 Strategic partnership, networking, and Influencing

• Build strategic relationships with government ministries, UN agencies, and non-government institutions, especially with the private sector, at national and sub-national levels.
• Identify key implementing and strategic partners working in the field of SOYEE with whom Plan can work with to leverage meeting its CSP objectives;
• Work with public, private and international actors to influence policy frameworks in order to create decent economic opportunities and an enabling environment in the workplace for girls and young women
• Represent Plan International Malawi in national and international spaces, in inter-agency networks various forums (meetings, conferences, etc.) and during partner and donor representative in-country visits related to SOYEE;
• In collaboration with communications department lead documentation and sharing of best practices

6.0 Safeguarding, Risk Management, and Gender Equality & Inclusion

• Ensure that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People, 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
• Provide guidance in identifying and mitigating complex risks and problems that arise as a result of the participation of girls, young women and youths in driving change, or during our implementation of programmes/ projects
• Demonstrate gender transformative programming and activities in reports
• Advocate internally for adaptations of Plan International’s policies, processes, attitudes and behaviours to ensure our work to support youth collective action is consistently strategic, meaningful, inclusive and safe. This includes collaboration with various functions including risk and compliance, programme quality, HR, finance, M&E (as well as others).

 

Dealing with Problems:

• Keep an eye on internal and external environment including government that have potential to affect programme planning and implementation.
• Demonstrate flexibility and strategic thinking in working with and influencing national level government officials to gain support towards Plan’ programmes and approaches.

 

Key relationships

The position requires internal communications involving national organisations.

Internal

• Director of Programmes (Strategy and Influencing).
• Thematic Leads (IQE, SRHR, Gender and Social Inclusion, Strategic Communication, child protection and Safeguarding)
• Programme Area Managers
• Project Managers
• Business Development Unit
• Finance Teams
• Procurement Unit
• Other staff, including members of the Country Leadership Team and the Country Director
• SOYEE Networks across the organisation

 

External

• Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, National and Local authorities, community leaders, sponsored families, sponsored children, community volunteers, community members etc.
• Partners organisations and other INGO
• Civil society organizations
• Sponsorship departments
• Sponsors, sponsored children/families, NOs, GH, RH

Technical Expertise, Knowledge, and Skills

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree preferably in social science, Sociology, Development Studies, Gender and Development, International Affairs, Economics or other relevant field
• At least 7 years’ experience in implementing projects related to youth employment and entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and private sector engagement.
• Strong experience and knowledge of working with private sector actors such as private companies and engaging them in SOYEE programming;
• Experience working directly in gender, age, disability or social inclusion programming, related issues and/or broader protection issues, preferably in an NGO, UN context
• Strong representation, moderation, and facilitation skills to represent the SOYEE portfolio to internal and external audiences.
• Solid experience in resource mobilisation with a variety of donors
• Experience in interactive/ innovative training approaches and conducting successful workshops
• Experience in community facilitation, sensitisation and awareness raising is desirable

 

Skills & Knowledge

• Sound conceptual and strategic thinking
• Demonstrated organisational skill
• Flexibility and ability to multi-task under pressure
• Negotiation at different levels and effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues with diverse experiences
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation and public speaking
• Knowledge and practical experience of engaging and partnering with youth movements, youth organising and influencing
• Knowledge and working experience on gender norms and approaches to change/transform power relations and safeguarding
• Ability to work well in frequently changing contexts
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Leadership analysis/coaching skills
• Strong team building and motivational skills

 

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 at Malawi Country Office with significant in-country travel and periodic international travel.

Level of contact with children

Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children

 

Location: Country Office, Lilongwe

Type of Role: Fixed Term Contract

Reports to: SOYEE Lead

Grade: Level 14

Closing Date: 2 June 2024

 

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

 

Qualified females are encouraged to apply!!

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.