Role PURPOSE

Plan International is an independent child rights and humanitarian organisation committed to children living a life free of poverty, violence and injustice. We actively unite children, communities and other people who share our mission to make positive lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives. We support children to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today and in the future. We place a specific focus on girls and women, who are most often left behind. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

This role will ensure the implementation of Plan’s Child Protection Policy in PIE and focus on protection, gender equality and sexual and reproductive health rights (ASRHR). The purpose of this position is to empower adolescent girls to be free from harmful practices and enjoy their sexual and reproductive health rights. The post holder is responsible for the delivery of results in line with pre agreed program plans and objectives and oversees program implementation at all stages throughout the project cycle.

Dimensions of the Role

·         The ASRHR Specialist will actively promote gender transformative approach to ASRHR.

·         Responsible for overseeing implementation and monitoring of the adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights activities in My Choice for My Life project, while ensuring quality program delivery in Amhara, and SNNP program areas.

·         As a significant number of activities are implemented through public health facilities and health offices, this role will need to create and maintain nurturing partnership with health facilities, Woreda health offices and regional health bureaus.

·         Given that a significant and increasing amount of the work is done through partnership, a key aspect of the role is nurturing, developing, training and facilitating the achievement of results through partners.

·         Key components of the position also include regional advocacy and networking, strategic thematic area planning, developing and strengthening partnerships.

Accountabilities

Child Protection, Gender Equality and Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

·         Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) 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. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct, their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures

·         Ensures that the project implementation is as per the required and expected Plan International  standards on gender equality and adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health and rights especially for girls.

Project implementation, monitoring and reporting

·         Provide health related technical leadership and coordination support to ensure high quality project implementation, including management and referral services to adolescent girls; and enhance the capacity of facility and health personnel to deliver gender responsive and adolescent friendly sexual and reproductive health services and information

·         Provide technical leadership to ensure gender-responsive and adolescent friendly sexual and reproductive health services are provided at supported health facilities.

·         Ensure quality technical input into program research processes, research and documentation, including facility assessments and identification of key needs to address service delivery gaps

·         Supports the coordination of the health facility assessment, health investment plan and subsequent refurbishment and provision of medical equipment and supplies in all health facilities designated for support from the project

·         Develop/adapt different training materials on ASRHR for both facility and community-based service providers, SBCC tools/messages, referral protocols and monitoring checklists.

·         Conduct regular field visits to the project sites and participate in joint supervision activities with relevant stakeholders, government and implementing partners, to ensure quality service delivery and supervision and provide onsite technical support

·         Work closely with GE & influencing team to build capacity of youth led organizations and conduct evidence-based advocacy.

·         Develops training programmes based on identified needs, and facilitates training of staff, partner NGOs and project communities and also coordinate training of facility-based service providers with the government designated trainers.

·         Support the development of annual work plans and project plans.

·         Provide support to consultants working for the project

Partnership development and strengthening 

·         Work to strengthen linkages between health facilities, government health offices, schools, communities and other stakeholders including implementing partners

·         Work with M&E Technical Advisor to ensure relevant and quality ASRHR results and data is collected, analysed and disseminated for use by community, facilities and relevant government officers

·         Lead knowledge management activity by capturing, synthesizing, analysing  and sharing best practices and lessons learned to the community of practice locally, regionally and nationally

·         Participate in the preparation of annual work plan, semi-annual and annual reports and ensure the technical quality of the report

·         Participate in regional and national NGO coordination forum and other relevant ASRHR meetings and present PIE’s work to the forum.

Key relationships

Externally: Initiate, develop and maintain a range of working relationships, including with government counterparts, implementing partners and other development organizations with the region.

Internally: Effective working relationships with program area staff and frequent communication with, Plan staff and various internal staff networks.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Essential

• Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences, Social Science, Social work, and other related field at least 10 years relevant experience of which at least two years’ experience with NGOs.
• Extensive knowledge of the adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender equality and girls rights.
• Demonstrated knowledge of gender transformative programming
• Demonstrated knowledge of results-based management framework
• Demonstrated experience and/or knowledge of working with the Federal, regional and local Ministry of Health and of relevant health worker training materials.
• Experience working with public health facilities and organizing and leading health worker trainings
• Experience with a diverse set of stakeholders at all levels of an organization, including from policy-makers and senior management to local government and implementing partners, as well as community leaders and beneficiaries.
• Experience conducting joint supportive supervision with key stakeholders including ministry of health and ministry of women and children’s affairs
• Experience in sourcing, analysing and interpreting health data for programmatic input

Desirable

·         In-depth knowledge of project cycle management

·         Gender analysis and gender mainstreaming skills

·         Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges and opportunities and implications to community development

·         Knowledge of effective participatory Monitoring, Evaluation and Research systems and processes

·         Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues.

·         Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation

·         Strong negotiation, influencing and problem-solving skills.

·         Ability to analyse information and evaluate options including planning skills

·         Proficient in computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications

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

·         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.

Physical Environment

·         Typically office environment with at least 40 % field travel.

Level of contact with children

Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children