Plan International is an independent non-profit organization that advances children’s well-being and equality for girls. Working in building powerful partnerships for children for over 75 years and present in 70 countries, Plan International strives for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children while working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners. Plan International Ethiopia is looking for Program Area Manager for Amhara Program Area who will be reporting to the Programme Director and with matrix reports to Deputy Country Director – Humanitarian (for emergency response projects only).
Accountabilities and Main work activities:
Strategic Leadership (20%)
Provide strategic leadership to the PA program operations:
Lead the operationalisation of Country Strategy in the programme area through annual and quarterly plans (include budget planning) for the PA.
Ensure clear accountabilities are set for the area team and performance is managed based on the same.
Lead regular participatory review of the plans and budget with particular focus on ensuing effective delivery of all projects in the area.
Ensure staff ownership and monitor progress against the strategy.
Position Plan regionally with key government and non-government counterparts, in line with our influencing ambition.
PA Portfolio Management (30%)
Participate in project developments to ensure proper and realistic project design and budget planning, including properly phased budgets.
Closely support and monitor project staff to ensure delivery of project activities and utilize the budget in a timely manner.
Lead PA level project review meetings and participate in country level project review meetings and support the development of adjusted work plans and re-alignment of budgets in a timely manner.
Ensure procurement plan and cash forecasts are prepared and utilized efficiently.
Sponsorship (15%)
Ensure full achievement and realization of sponsorship commitments
Alignment of sponsorship projects with grant funded projects
Lead the phase-out and phase-in processes.
Partnership Management (15%)
Maintain and strengthen existing and new partnerships with government counterparts, CSO partners and other development organizations.
Ensure PIE partners have knowledge and practices to embed safeguarding and gender transformative programming in their work.
Together with CO partnership colleagues, improve/develop relevant tools for partnership assessments, capacity building and mutual appraisals.
Ensure regular mutual appraisal meetings are conducted with partners
Ensure Plan is well represented at regional level networks and forums to foster external relations
Participate in regional networks for influencing policy, learning and sharing good practices to improve program quality.
People Management & Process (20%)
Create a conducive working environment in which people are motivated, respected, valued and managed well to realize their potential and development
Provide necessary training and development opportunities for staff professional growth, including regular coaching and mentoring
Lead and participate in timely and appropriate recruitment of staff
Ensure that all staff have knowledge and understand Plan’s corporate policies, processes, standards and systems.
Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI)
Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and GEI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.
Ensures that all staff in the unit/function/department are properly inducted on and understands their role in upholding Plan International’s safeguarding and GEI policies;
Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in day to day work.
Ensures that Plan Ethiopia contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to ensure safeguarding and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted.
Leadership and BUSINESS management COMPETENCIES
LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
Set and communicate ambitious but realistic work goals and priorities, explaining how these contribute to Plan International's purpose.
Set high standards for self and others' behavior, inside and outside work. Championing our values and commitment to rights, gender equality and safeguarding. Supporting the health, well-being and both physical and psychological safety of our staff, including their safety to speak out.
Hold self and others to account for what we have agreed, dealing with poor performance quickly, firmly and constructively.
Create a positive team spirit, helping people work well together, to reflect and continuously improve the efficiency and quality of what we do.
Collaborate with team members, colleagues and partners in finding creative solutions to problems by sharing information, experience and ideas and actively seeking their input.
Motivate and developing others by taking an interest, giving constructive feedback and praise, ensuring they are properly trained and helping them develop their potential.
Accept change and support others in adjusting to it, helping them understand.
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES
Can succinctly articulate the purpose, values, and global strategy to a range of audiences. Can explain how Plan International will deliver on its objectives through the theory of change and communicates the implications for their team.
Understands the purpose, lines of accountability and decision-making capacity for each structural element of the organization. Helps their team to understand where they sit within the organizational structure.
Supports their team to understand the local operating environment and to consider the implications for work activities. Adjusts work activities and practices to reflect the political, financial, social and cultural context.
Contributes to strategic planning activities.
Understands the procurement cycle and supply chain, including the importance of good procurement planning.
Schedules and manages resource aligned to donor and organisational requirements and individual capacity.
Manages internal and external projects in accordance with the project management and MERL principles.
Manages performance by providing clear objectives, access to developmental tools and opportunities for coaching and mentoring.
Enforces appropriate use of brand throughout all written and verbal communications.
Technical expertise, skills and knowledge
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications/ experience essential:
BA Degree level or equivalent study in Development studies, International Relations, Gender studies or similar field.
At least 8 years’ experience out of which 3 years’ experience in management position
Demonstrated experience in management of at least two of the thematic areas as per the Country Strategy, in both development and humanitarian context.
Demonstrated experience in managing partnerships at different levels, from informal community structures and CBOs, to large INGOs, UN agencies and multilateral donors.
Demonstrated experience of operational and programming processes, systems and principles, and the ability to provide leadership and support to staff working at regional and community level.
Knowledge of regional context; the operating environment and factors affecting child-poverty in the country and the political, social and environmental opportunities for change is an advantage
Knowledge of the requirements of donor compliance and financial management
Qualifications/ experience desirable:
Demonstrated experience of strategic leadership and planning processes
Demonstrated experience in leading and motivating large and diverse teams from different departments.
Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges and opportunities and implications to community development
Languages required
Fluency in English language is essential
Knowledge of Local Languages is a desirable
This position is only open to Ethiopian Nationals, who must be eligible to live and work in Ethiopia.
· Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
· Please note that we are not accepting CVs that are not sent through the indicated link.
Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.
