Plan International Project Officer Career Opportunity in Kenya

Plan International

Job Opening: Project Officer – COSME Project (45464)

Requisition ID 45464

WHO WE ARE

Plan International is a rights-based development and humanitarian organization working for better lives for all children. We are independent of government and have no political or religious affiliation.

Our purpose is to strive for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Our global strategy has a specific focus on girls, as they are often the most marginalized and most often left behind.

We have committed ourselves to the ambitious target of reaching 100 million girls over 5 years, to ensure they can learn, lead, decide and thrive. This is our contribution to reaching the sustainable development goals, and in particular the goals on gender equality.

Our organization is transforming itself to meet this enormous challenge everywhere we work. We need bold, forward-thinking and innovative individuals to lead our country operations, driving change and delivering results that will allow us to reach our target of 100 million girls.

With approximately 38 years of experience in implementing its programme, Plan International Kenya (PIK) mainly operates in 10 geographical areas; Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Tharaka-Nithi, Siaya, Kwale, Kilifi, Homa Bay, Kisumu and Tana River.

OUR STRATEGY STATEMENT

Plan International Kenya’s (PIK) strategic goal in the next five years is to end teenage pregnancies and end all forms of sexual and gender-based violence against adolescent girls and young women.

We aim to help create an enabling environment where girls and young women are safe, valued, equally cared for, and have equal opportunities.

PIK will contribute to the global strategy by aiming to reach directly approximately 2.75 million (children, including girls and young women over the period of the strategy 2022-2026 and to reach additional beneficiaries through its interventions.

ABOUT COSME PROJECT

Plan International’s Conservation and Sustainable Management of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (COSME) project aims to significantly scale up Plan International Kenya’s current women-led, climate-resilient livelihoods and coastal management project in Kwale and Kilifi counties.

It takes an ecosystems-based approach in partnership with Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) Canada, COSME will also capitalize on opportunities for South-South learning by working between Kenya/Tanzania cross-border communities within the same marine coastal and coastal forest eco-regions.

The project will be instrumental in driving Nature Based Solutions (NbS) for climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation in the selected eco-regions:

i) mangrove restoration and conservation;

ii) sustainable seaweed farming; and

iii) locally-led forest management and conservation.

Small-scale conservation agriculture practices will also be deployed to build the resilience of women in selected communities.

The ultimate project outcome is improved climate-resilient, equitable economies within communities relying on coastal and marine ecosystems.

THE ROLE

The Project Officer (PO) will work under the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (COSME) project.

His/ Her role will include to drive the day to day implementation of the COSME project in Kilifi/Kwale Counties, while ensuring effective partnership management and meaningful participation of the stakeholders to deliver on the project.

The role will implement, mobilisation of project stakeholders, monitor and report on progress of project activities in line with the detailed implementation plan.

The role is intended to manage partnerships (county government, community groups, learning institutions, national NGOs, corporate agencies etc.) and sustain a good working relationship with all stakeholders for seamless project success.

MANAGEMENT SCOPE, REPORTING LINES, KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to – Project Coordinator, COSME

Direct reports – None

Key relationships

Internal;

The position reports to the Project Coordinator- COSME. Internally, the role will require liaison with other project team members in both Kilifi and Kwale, Program Unit staff across the different departments to ensure synergy and integration of project interventions.

The role will also interact with the Technical advisors, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning teams.

External:

The incumbent will work closely with stakeholders including multiple community groups, Beach Management Unit, Learning Institutions, implementing partners, CBOs, local authorities and line ministries to enhance participation and realisation of project objectives.

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN

  • High level: Frequent interaction with children

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

Typical office and field environment with 80% travel using a motorbike for frequent visits to the field sites for project visit, meetings, community groups engagement, partnerships management and project implementation.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND MAIN WORK ACTIVITIES

Planning, Strategy and Policy (10%)

  • Ensure the project contributes to the outcomes for girls and young women are realised and that girls and women occupy spaces to continually address issues affecting them and realisation of gender equality.
  • Employ a gender-transformative approach, to address power and gender inequalities that undermine responsive, locally-led climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation
  • Design and implement the project while advancing gender transformation and aligned to the Country and Global strategies.
  • Promote safeguarding and safe programming through the project cycles and ensure Plan’s policy on safeguarding the rights of children and young people is adhered to by all associates.
  • Build relationship with relevant staff to ensure all logistics and procurement processes are in conformity with Plan policies, procedures and standards
  • Facilitate meaningful engagement, consultation, participation and feedback to the community in relation to Plan programs and policies.

Programme and Project Design, implementation, Reporting and Influencing (30%)

  • Mobilization and participation of women in climate governance and weak collective action among women’s rights organizations (WROs) and youth-led organizations (YLOs) in local climate action
  • Promote participation of children, girls and communities in project cycle to explore and challenge gender norms.
  • Ensure project stakeholders effectively engage at all project levels.
  • Facilitate access to relevant and accurate information on the project to stakeholders.
  • Contribute to gender sensitive responses/intervention through continuous data collection during project implementation.
  • Consolidate/write project periodic reports in line with the laid down donor requirements and Plan standards.

Working in Partnership (10%)

  • Partnership management while ensuring adherence to Building Better partnership principles
  • Facilitate authentic community led beneficiary targeting processes and reporting on interventions being undertaken.
  • Engage and maintain cordial stakeholder relationships throughout the project cycle for effective project delivery and achievement of project results.
  • Maintain a high level of external communication and contact at the community and county levels.
  • Build and strengthen working relations with local structures (local administration, schools among others) and ensure their participation
  • Engage and influence different technical working groups at sub-county level

Monitoring, Evaluation and Quality Assurance (15%)

  • Timely development and utilizations of all project tools to support technically sound project implementation.
  • Deliver timely and quality project activity and scheduled reports
  • Operationalise procedures of data quality assurance during collection and submission of all related project data.
  • Work with the Project and the M&E team in documenting project achievements, best practices and lessons learnt.
  • Facilitate and coordinate project reflection meetings with communities and other stakeholders to inform programming/improve on quality of interventions.

Financial Responsibility (10%)

  • Develop monthly activities and budget plans as per approved work plan and ensure all activities are on track with appropriate scheduling, quality and timelines.
  • Monitor expenditures by interventions and ensure compliance within the approved budget.
  • Review expenditure reports on a monthly basis.

Risk Management (5%)

  • Develop project and activity risk assessments and put in place mechanisms to mitigate/manage the risks during the project cycle.
  • Continually manage all program safeguarding risks.

Capability Building and People Management (10%)

  • Support rural communities in learning about, customizing and applying NBS for climate adaptation
  • Assess local partners’ capacity gaps in delivery of program and sponsorship work and develop capacity building plans for mutual development.
  • Internally resources and establish external linkages/referral for capacity development of the local partners

Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) (5%)

  • 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.
  • Leads the orientation of programme staff to ensure that they 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 project design, during implementation and as principles applied in day-to-day work of Programme team;
  • Ensures that Plan Kenya contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to ensure safeguarding and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted.

Other Duties (5%)

As assigned by the supervisor

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

  • Courageous in taking a lead, focussed on Plan International’s purpose and making the most effective contribution within their own work context.
  • Behaves in line with Plan International values and safeguarding practices, inside and outside work.
  • Challenges own attitudes, unconscious bias and behaviour and speaks up when they see wrong doing, especially by those who use their power over others to create fear or abuse.
  • Understand and adhere to the policies, processes, practices and standards relevant to own work and keeps their knowledge and skills up to date.
  • Honest and efficient in use of resources, including own time.
  • Takes responsibility for own performance and development: reflecting; seeking and listening to feedback; learning from mistakes; finding people or resources to help them learn.
  • Constructive and optimistic in facing setbacks, challenges and change, using own initiative to analyse issues and improve things.
  • Good team player, communicating effectively and being open and supportive towards those around them.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES

  • Understands Plan International in context, including its purpose, values and country strategy, and can communicate these to varied audiences, including how Plan International will deliver on its objectives.
  • Managing activities and resources including skills in project design, planning, monitoring and reporting
  • Managing people and information including skills in capacity assessment and coaching, communication skills, both speaking and writing, and digital working, including personal digital skills

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications / experience essential:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental studies, Climate Science, Natural Resource Management or in Agricultural Related courses
  • At least 3 or more years of relevant work experience.
  • At least 2 years’ experience managing partnerships in projects
  • Direct project management experience, preferably in the climate action, conservation, environment, and disaster risk management or related field.
  • Must have proven knowledge of or an interest in Nature Based Solutions and marine ecosystems
  • Knowledge of women economic empowerment and gender integration best practices
  • Knowledge and Experience on sustainable Livelihoods
  • Hold personal values, ethics and attitudes which are in alignment with the principles of the Plan’s values
  • Motorcycle riding skills and experience

Qualifications/ experience desirable:

  • Strong report writing skills
  • Documentation of project impact stories of change
  • Community facilitation, networking, partnership development and management skills
  • Good communication, negotiation and advocacy skills
  • Good interpersonal, relationship and team working
  • Conflict Management skills
  • Experience in humanitarian programming
  • Experience in program phase out management

Languages required:

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Kiswahili and English.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

  • Shapes work programmes with relevant leaders and stakeholders, aligned with relevant strategies, and balancing global and local priorities with opportunities
  • Designs projects with clear objectives and measurable results contributing to overall outcomes.
  • Coaches partners as part of daily work by explaining key concepts, standards and resources; and working alongside others to apply effective evidence-based practice.
  • Identifies, assesses and nurtures mutually beneficial relationships with appropriate partners. [supporting partnership relationships]
  • Embeds capability building of relevant stakeholders into programme and project design
  • Mainstreams gender and inclusion into programming and influencing work by applying strategies for gender transformative change.
  • Uses participatory approaches and the engagement of our Primary Impact Groups and other key actors and stakeholders throughout the programme and project cycle, including monitoring and evaluation.
  • Works politically to engage with and influence key actors and stakeholders in own field(s), including government, inter-governmental organisations and the private sector

Knowledge:

  • In-depth knowledge local development issues, with particular knowledge in girls’ rights and child rights, feminist movements, the key actors and institutions, and the power dynamics involved.
  • Mastery of key gender inequalities, gaps, barriers and opportunities at the local level
  • In-depth understanding of the policies, processes, institutions and organizations that shape the development and humanitarian context and standards within Kenya.
  • Knowledge and experience of working with children and youths
  • Strong Knowledge of community development.
  • Knowledge on management of partners including capacity assessment and strengthening.

Skills:

  • Ability to design, implement and monitor evidence based solutions for gender transformative programmes.
  • Ability to influence power holders about the need for and benefits of addressing gender equality and inclusion, including being able to offer a range of evidence based solutions.
  • Excellent relationship building skills – networking, influencing and stakeholder management skills
  • Ability to identify, analyze and monitor diverse, relevant external actors to work with and understand the purpose and implications of working with them.
  • Experience in capacity building
  • Hands on experience and skill in result based MERL system

Behaviors:

  • Role model Plan International values and behaviors both internally and externally.
  • Engages sensitively with community members on issues of gender equality and inclusion, demonstrating an understanding of the local culture and context.
  • Promotes equality, including gender equality, inclusion and girls’ empowerment in Plan’s work and in its work with partners
  • Apply participatory influencing methodologies both internally and externally
  • The ability to build collaborative working relationships
  • Communicates effectively at a high level and with a range of appropriate styles for different audiences
  • Builds capability through knowledge sharing, networking and coaching.

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

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.

Disclaimer: Plan International is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate applicants on any basis. We also do not charge Job seekers any fees at any point of the recruitment process.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications on a rolling basis throughout the advertising period.

CLICK HERE to apply online.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position.

Updated:
Related Opportunities