Project Lead -EOF at Plan International

Project Lead

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 75 countries.

ROLE PROFILE

 

Title	Project Lead
Functional Area	Programmes
Reports to	Head of Programmes
Location	Tamale	Travel required	40%
Effective Date	01-07-2022	Grade	E

 

Role PURPOSE

Plan International in partnership with Instiglio and the Jacobs Foundation will implement the Education Outcome Fund Programme (EOF) under the Ghana Accountability and Learning Outcomes Programme (GALOP). The programme aims to improve the quality of education in low performing basic education schools and strengthen education sector equity and accountability in Ghana. The Programme will run for a period of 4 years and will be implemented across 3 regions in Ghana (North East, Savana and Bono East) and 11 districts. The Project will support a total of 240 communities/schools.

 

The Team Lead will be responsible for overall management and coordination for the Team Up team in the mobilisation and delivery of the project’s results, the management of key lead staff, ensuring a strong working relationship between the lead Investor, ensuring appropriate performance management and ongoing management to deliver the programme, with support from the Project Manager. The Team Lead is the key focal point for MOE.

The Team Lead is expected to provide technical leadership, administrative oversight, and overall coordination of the activity, to manage staff, to ensure EOF meets stated goals and reporting requirements, and to ensure the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of all products and activities generated under GALOP. S/he is also expected to work closely with the Education Specialists and represent the organization in external meetings and workshops related to the project.

Dimensions of the Role

The post holder reports directly to the Head of Programmes. S/he oversees the management of the Project strategy and visions and ensures the quality of monitoring & evaluation as well as reporting in collaboration with other Program and organisation staff.  The post holder manages line manages the Project leads for education, M&E, Project Management, Finance and Procurement and Logistics.  The post holder oversees the EOF project budget, donors’ requirements and expenditures to ensure their alignment with the required standards and norms.  The incumbent is a member of a wide array of local and national networks and is in charge of the writing of progress reports for internal and external by donor purposes. He/She is also in charge of creating and maintaining the relationship with key stakeholders (international and national government authorities, stakeholders, beneficiaries, NGOs and suppliers). He/She will also represent the Project in several forums and activities to disseminate findings, learning and the key facts.

Accountabilities

 

Program Strategy

• Provide leadership in development, review and roll out of the EOF Project, in coordination with the Plan’s Country Office Senior Leadership team, MoE and GES stakeholders and GEOP secretariat.
• Provide strategic direction in the implementation of the project in line with its intended outcomes and Plan’s Country Strategy.
• Support the development of a coherent consortium strategy with all partners and facilitate learning/sharing opportunities within the consortium.

 

Program Management

• In close coordination with the Head of Programmes, the Country MEL Manager and the Project Education and M&E Specialists, coordinate the development of tools/templates linked to the programme (baselines, evaluation TORs, reporting etc.).
• In coordination with the consortium members, government staff and the Project team, ensure the planning of the different implementation steps and defining programme priorities based on planned activities and the efficient use of resources.
• Travel regularly within the Project location to ensure adherence to agreed implementation plan and quality standards.

 

Representation and Coordination

• Maintain overall responsibility of coordinating consortium partners on all programmatic, financial and MEL issues including chairing monthly and quarterly consortium meetings.
• Serve as the primary interface for key education donors, in coordination with the Country Director and the Heads of Programme.
• Facilitate partnerships with international organizations, the Ministry of Education, relevant local governments, and civil society organizations.
• Position Plan International as a key education actor in Ghana by participating in education coordination mechanisms, platforms and forums.

 

Financial and Donor Compliance

• Ensure, in collaboration with the Country Finance Manager and the Project Finance  staff and Project Manager, the overall financial oversight of Project budget and expenditure.
• Ensure efficient and timely procurement of goods & services is carried out according to the workplan and in compliance with the organisation’s guidelines.
• Ensure programme compliance to donor contract and partner agreements by Consortium members.

 

Program Development

• In close collaboration with the Country Director, the Head of Programmes, Country Director and other key members, actively participate in and contribute to new and innovative business development opportunities and programme partnerships/consortiums in Ghana.

 

Management and Operations

• Provide overall management and coordination of all work streams including Community, and Operations in the mobilisation and delivery of program results
• Directly line-managing the project team leads providing coaching, mentoring and quality assurance of their work
• Support and conduct recruitment and performance appraisals of staff and identifying their training needs
• Write progress reports for internal and external use according to the standard or specifications required by donor or as may be required by the Organisation’s leadership
• Participate and lead program related workshops, review meetings, training and community engagement drives
• Oversee timely submission of program reports, meeting institutional and donor requirements, sharing challenges and successes

​

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Supports the M&E Specialists to ensure that internal monitoring is carried out effectively and that external impact evaluations are being conducted in the manner intended
• Work with the Monitoring and Evaluation Team to develop and track relevant Project documents and systems such as the Logframe, M&E Framework and monitoring tools

 

Managing partners, suppliers and stakeholders

• Work with the national GES and MoE stakeholders to ensure Project sustainability
• Sustain positive partnerships and networking relationships with key stakeholders on projects to influence policies and practices
• Actively communicate and maintain good working relationships with external suppliers who collaborate with Plan International in various ways in the delivery of our distance learning models (e.g. technology supplier, service maintenance contractors and the satellite internet providers)
• Highlight best practices emerging from project at sector platforms and other relevant public events

 

Child Protection and Safeguarding responsibilities

• Have oversight responsibility over monitoring compliance of child protection, safeguarding, PSEAH policies and do no harm standards in accordance with Plan International’s standards
• Monitor suppliers, sub-contractors and stakeholders’ compliance of CP, SG and PSEAH policy

Responsibilities

The position involves:

• Ability to take decisions such as the type and appropriate capacity building needed for different groups and also filters information to share at a different level. The post holder will demonstrate the ability to problem-solving, thinking strategically while introducing new initiatives or strategy, and in communication and facilitation to meet the demands of a dynamic and sometimes hectic operating environment
• Ability to manage/work with different streams (Education, Finance, Community Engagement and M&E) and meet frequently tight deadlines. Capacity to analyse data with relevant project staff and ensure project delivery is achieved in a timely manner
• Ability to support the project staff in defining influencing issues to ensure high quality and impact of interventions. This will encompass strengthening accountability, planning, management, adherence to policies and procedures, and promoting a culture for delivery of results, both short and long-term

• Ability to develop & present the project in front of different kinds of audience in or off site
• Use wide range of sources of data and information to make the right decision
• Make decision at speed appropriate to the issue
• Responding to queries and requirements of external audiences, stockholders, partners, advisory committee, line manager and technical advisors within strict timelines
• Understanding of the community issues and interest to build and plan solutions
• Demonstrate skill’s in articulating and documenting program communication, progress and review
• Ability to manage stress and interest to develop systems to improve quality of the program
• Ability to deliver more than the market expects: We believe that more is possible than the current system is achieving, and we need to demonstrate this in practice. This requires tenacity and relentless optimism.
• Ability to think differently: We will not succeed by copying existing models or structures. The role will require to think through each problem from first principles and find the most effective and efficient new solution in each case. This requires logic, analytical rigour, and a willingness to question assumptions. It also requires the desire to work in a dynamic environment, along with the ability to be solutions-focused and work in a small team.
• Ability to build and maintain trust: Everything we do must be open to scrutiny and full transparency. This requires excellent interpersonal skills and absolute integrity.

 

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion 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 (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Key relationships

 

Internal	External
Country Director Head of Programmes Project Manager Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Regional, District and Project Coordinators Education Specialist National Office colleagues	Ghana Education Service staff MoE agencies PTA/SMCs School Headteachers Facilitators and Teachers from Project schools Child beneficiaries Donors

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

 

Essential

Qualifications & Experience

 

• University degree in Education, Development studies, Gender Studies, Development Economics or similar related or relevant fields, although other degrees will be considered in light of candidate’s experience.
• Master’s degree in Education or Development Studies
• Minimum of 8 years field experience with NGOs in developing countries
• 6+ years of experience depicting proven and increasing capability in mobilising complex projects with multiple stakeholders in the education sector
• Experience and in-depth knowledge in the field of education
• Experience in education development projects and familiarity with the girls’ education sector in Ghana
• Previous experience of budget management within donor funded project
• Experience working in Ghana, especially in rural areas

 

Key skills & Competencies

 

• Strong project management skills and experience managing donor funded projects
• Highly functional knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other ICT skills required
• People management skills and experience in line managing teams of 7+ staff
• Skills and experience in external stakeholder engagement including donors, government and private sector and experiences with coordination of multi-stakeholder forums
• Skills in report writing and monitoring and evaluation
• Excellent leadership and strategic development skills
• Excellent senior stakeholder skills and inter-personal skills
• Excellent programme management skills

Personal Attributes

 

• Self-starter and team player with high standards
• Ability to multi task and work under some level of pressure
• Ability to work in a cross-cultural environment and with multi- and interdisciplinary teams

 

Desirable

• Experience with database / CRM system management
• Excellent leadership skills with increasing levels of responsibility in education sector in Ghana
• Experience leading the delivery of teacher training and continuous professional development for teachers
• Previous experience promoting inclusion and student centred approaches in schools

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. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential
2. We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace
3. We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives.

 

Physical Environment

 

Based in the Accra/Tamale Office with regional travel (approx. 35-45% time), including travel to remote areas

Level of contact with children

 

Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children

Location: Tamale

Type of Role: Project Management

Reports to: Head of Prorams and Influencing

Grade: E

Closing Date: 5th August 2022

 

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.