Project Officer – Climate Champions at Plan International

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation 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’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 85 years, and are now active in more than 80 countries.

 

Job Summary
The Climate Empowerment Project Officer will play a crucial role in the implementation of a collaborative project aimed at empowering adolescents, youth, and community members, particularly focusing on girls and women, in Kasungu, Malawi, to understand and address climate risks. The project, led by Plan International Belgium, Plan International Malawi, Nazka Mapps, and Climate Scale, focuses on knowledge strengthening, access to climate information, and advocacy and influencing.

 

Roles and Responsibilities
1. Project Implementation:

Collaborate with consortium partners to ensure the effective and timely implementation of the project activities.

• Plan International Belgium
•  Plan International Malawi
• Nazka Mapps (private company)
• Climate Scale (private company)

2. Oversee the development and delivery of tailored climate change adaptation education and awareness programs for adolescents, youth, community leaders, and parents.

• Facilitate climate change and gender equality sessions with community leaders and parents, emphasizing the active participation of girls and women in climate action.

3. Knowledge Strengthening:

• Design and implement capacity-building initiatives to empower adolescents and youth, challenging traditional gender roles and promoting active participation in climate action.
• Work closely with district authorities to integrate climate change education into existing structures and initiatives.

4. Access to Climate Information:

• Ensure the app effectively communicates localised climate data, personal stories, and successful adaptation approaches.
• Support the the modelling of climate data specific to the project area (done by Climate scale, partner in the project), making it available as open data.
• Coordinate the promotion and dissemination of climate information through various channels, ensuring accessibility for diverse literacy levels.

5. Advocacy and Influencing:

• Strengthen the communication and advocacy skills of adolescents and youth groups’ representatives.
• Provide capacity-building support to youth-led organizations to enhance operational efficiency.
• Organize and support community campaigns, including meetings, quizzes, radio programs, and road shows, to promote climate awareness.
• Conduct training sessions for local and district authorities on gender equality and youth inclusion to foster inclusive governance.
• Organize influencing workshops to facilitate dialogue between youth and decision-makers, amplifying the voices of youth in climate action.

6. Monitoring and Evaluation:

•  Develop and implement a robust monitoring and evaluation system to track the progress and impact of project activities in collaboration with the M&E officer, including the coordination of the baseline study and final evaluation of the project.
• Regularly assess the effectiveness of the project strategies and make recommendations for improvement.
• Ensure the coordination and drafting of the narrative reporting on the project to Plan International Belgium in collaboration with the M&E officer and grants department of Plan International Malawi, for high-quality and timely reporting.
• Coordinate the timely submission of high-quality financial reports of the project to Plan International Belgium, together with the project accountant, Finance team at the country office and the Grants department at country office.
• In collaboration with the project accountant, ensure good management of the funds transferred for the project, timely use of them, and proper planning of use of funds in relation to the project activities and project timeline.
• Ensure in a timely manner, collaboration with the project accountant and M&E officer, and liaise with the Emiris project manager on synergies between the 2 projects in Kasungu.

 

Skills and Qualification
•    Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Environmental Science, Climate Studies, Development Studies, etc.); a Master’s degree will be an added advantage.
•    Proven experience in project management, particularly in climate change, education, and community development.
•    Familiarity with gender-responsive and youth-friendly approaches in project design and implementation.
•    Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
•    Experience in developing and implementing advocacy and influencing strategies.
•    Knowledge of innovative tech solutions for climate information dissemination is desirable.
•    Ability to work in a multicultural and collaborative team environment.
•    Fluency in English
PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE
We are open and accountable
1.    Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
2.    Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
3.    Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
4.    Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
5.    Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

1.     Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
2.    Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
3.    Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
4.    Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

 

We work well together
1.    Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
2.    Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
3.    Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
4.    Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and  all children.

 

We are inclusive and empowering
1.    Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
2.    Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
3.    Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
4.    Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.
Location: Kasungu

Type of Role: Fixed Term Contract

Reports to: Programme Area Manager

Grade: Level 13

Closing Date: 11 March 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.