Kenya: Project Manager - Break Free Project

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 THE ROLE: 

The Project Manager will be responsible for the successful initiation, planning, design, execution, reporting, management of the budget, monitoring and evaluation for the Kenya Break Free Project. The incumbent will be responsible for establishment of relationships with key stakeholders at National and County level. The role will ensure that all the project activities and outcomes are aligned to realizing Plan International Country Strategy. The role will entail coordination of all Plan Kenya project teams and alliance partners to ensure synergy and integration of project interventions in other Break Free Project Sites and the organisation as a whole. The role will require to strengthen safeguarding of children in the target counties and ensuring the project remains gender transformative.

The role takes leadership to ensure adolescents exercise their right to live free from TP, CM and FGM/C in target Counties. This will be achieved through working in collaboration with existing community structures and amplifying the voices of adolescent girls.

MANAGEMENT SCOPE, REPORTING LINES, KEY RELATIONSHIPS: 

• Reports to: Programme Unit Manager – Urban PU
• Direct reports – PC Tana River, PO Tharaka, PO Kajiado, Driver Kajiado

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN: 

• Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: 

• The position is based in Kajiado /Urban PU and will require periodic travel to target counties.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND MAIN WORK ACTIVITIES: 

Programme Implementation, Project Design and Influence (20%): 

• Enhance realization of children and girls’ rights through design and implementation of gender transformative project interventions.
• Lead start-up meetings of the Project to guarantee a joint understanding among stake holders on project objective and expectations
• Promote the realization of set targets and quality outcomes
• Enhance gender mainstreaming in the project cycle
• Enhance community participation in the project planning, implementation and monitoring
• Ensure mobilization and inclusion of children and vulnerable groups in the project
• Coordinate development of monthly activities and budget plans to be implemented as per approved work plan and that all activities are on track with appropriate scheduling, quality and timelines
• Build relationship with relevant staff to ensure all logistics and procurement processes are in conformity with Plan policies, procedures and standards

Networking and Collaboration (15%): 

• Lead relationships and represent the organization in project strategic networks, technical meetings and establish and maintain strong networks and partnerships at sub-county and county levels
• Promote active engagement and participation of communities in Project activities
• Maintain a high level of external communication/contact at the community, County levels, Project Stakeholders
• Promote sensitization of stakeholders and partners on Plan’s policies, strategies, procedures, values and behaviors
• Coordinate with other NGOs, local and private sector players working within the operational areas to expand opportunities for partnerships
• Engage and influence key duty bearers towards realization of children rights in project communities
• Facilitate access to relevant and accurate information on the project to stakeholders including the government officers, parents, and children
• Identification, engagement and capacity development of partners to support project implementation.

Quality Improvement and Standards (20%): 

• Ensure timely and effective implementation of programs according to approved project outlines and approved monthly activity and budget plans
• Monitor the progress of project implementation and undertake corrective actions
• Promote evidence-based programming through data gathering and dissemination
• With support of M&E, enhance learning and knowledge management through documentation and profiling of Plan’s work
• With support of M&E, maintain a beneficiary tracking system in line with monthly and quarterly reporting tools
• Develop quality and timely reports in accordance with donor guidelines and procedures. This includes (monthly and quarterly) in line with the laid down requirements and Plan standards
• Contribute to documentation and sharing of best practices with all stakeholders for learning and sustainability beyond the project phase.

Financial Management (15%): 

• Develop and regularly update annual and quarterly project implementation plans and budgets
• Monitor expenditures to promote prudent budget management and adherence to approved budget
• Promote compliance with relevant donor policies, contracts, and agreements.

Performance Management (10%): 

• Mentorship and coaching of staff
• Coordinate learning and development for staff
• Ensure timely and up to date performance records of staff

Risk Management (10%): 

• Identify and manage project risks
• Promote compliance with Plan Kenya and donor requirements and regulations in project implementation

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 Line Manager

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: 

• Courageous, taking a lead, challenging myself and others to achieve purpose, safeguard others and role model values, inside and outside work.
• Responsible for my work and learning, striving to improve.
• Self-aware, resilient and constructive in embracing change.
• Striving to achieve significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, and to secure equality for girls.
• Challenging myself to be bold, courageous, responsive, focused and innovative;
• Understand and adhere to the policies, processes, practices and standards relevant to own work and keeps their knowledge and skills up to date.
• Collaborating with team members, colleagues and partners in finding creative solutions to problems by sharing information, experience and ideas and actively seeking their input.
• Respecting all people, appreciating differences and challenging inequality in programmes and the workplace. Supporting children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives. Empowering other staff to give their best and develop their potential.
• Achieves desired outcomes and finds innovative solutions by using the expertise and creativity of others and adopting a coaching approach with the people they manage or advise.
• Creates space for reflection and uses external evidence and internal evaluation to identify what and how we need to improve and then to support others through change.
• Understanding Plan International’s purpose, priorities, values and approaches in our work context. Adhering to relevant policies, processes, practices and standards, and being pro-active in continuing technical and professional development.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES: 

• Manages legal and reputational risk including risk assessment, communication, risk management and reporting in full compliance with risk-related standards, including in areas such as Child and Youth Safeguarding and Protection, Gender equality and inclusion, Counter Fraud, Safety and Security
• Managing activities and resources including skills in strategic thinking, planning and organising, financial planning and monitoring, negotiation and programme and project management
• Managing people and information including skills in assessment and coaching, evidence-based management, communication skills, both speaking and writing, and digital working, including personal digital skills
• Managing resources and delivery:
  • Knows the resources required for their role;
  • Manages their own workload, avoiding under or overcommitting to delivery activities;
  • Works according to a budget and uses the relevant financial systems;
  • Works according to principles of data protection;
  • Understands how information is used for reporting and decisions making;
  • Seeks to continually improve personal working practices.
• Programme and project management:
  • Aware of the programmes that Plan International delivers directly and through partner organisations
  • Aware of the programme and project management procedures relevant to their role;
  • Complies with financial procedures and controls relevant to their role;
  • Seeks opportunities to reflect on and learn from all work.
• Digital working:
  • Identifies ways to use digital to improve the effectiveness of work activities;
  • Understands how digital enablers can contribute to achieving Plan International’s purpose;
  • Utilises the digital tools available in line with privacy and safeguarding guidelines.
• Evidence-based management:
  • Understands the importance of high-quality data and the implications of poor data;
  • Understands what data Plan International needs to inform decision-making;
  • Interprets a range of sources to inform evidence-based decisions relevant to their role.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

Qualifications/Experience Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree Social Sciences - Community Development, Project Management, Social Work or any other relevant field.
• At least 5 Years’ relevant experience and understanding of the community.
• A demonstrated experience and understanding of developing, managing and implementing SRHR projects.
• Conversant with child rights issues and child participatory methodologies.
• Knowledge and experience of working with children, youths and women groups.
• Strong Knowledge and experience of community development and participatory methodologies.
• At least 3 years’ experience in project management/coordination.
• Government stakeholder engagement
• Sound understanding of integrated development issues and rights - based programming.
• Hold personal values, ethics and attitudes which are in alignment with the principles of the Plan’s Safeguarding of Children and Young Persons Policy.
• Willingness to sign and adhere to the Plan Safeguarding children and young people policy

Qualifications/Experience Desirable:

• Analytical and report writing skills
• Good Interpersonal / Communication skills and team working
• Strategic planning skills
• Results oriented
• Relevant computer skills
• Budget and Cost Control
• Risk management
• Monitoring and Evaluation skills
• Skills in managing project implementation and monitoring is critical
• Community facilitation, networking, partnership development and management skills
• Good communication, negotiation and advocacy skills
• Conflict Management
• Master’s Degree

Languages Required:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES: 

Knowledge:

• In-depth knowledge of gender and inclusion and global/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 national, regional and global level and gender and inclusion in programs, and especially for children and girls.
• In-depth understanding of the policies, processes, institutions and organizations that shape the development and humanitarian context and standards within Kenya.
• Understanding of the implications of working with a rights-based approach to development and is able to analyse the situation of children’s and particularly girls’ rights in his/her working context
• In-depth knowledge on different types of partnerships and civil society strengthening and capacity building. Understanding issues, principles and strategies and their root causes and working with Plan’s principles and a range of strategies and approaches to improve outcomes.

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, analyse 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:

• Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders as a representative of Plan International. This includes effective negotiation and representation skills.
• Challenging self, others and authority when behaviour and decisions are not supporting Plan International's policies and positions.
• Ability to stand against stigma and discrimination of vulnerable and excluded groups, uphold dignity
• Uses creativity to challenge the norm and promote innovation and thinks and acts for the wider organization – linking partnership opportunities with the context of the wider organizational strategy
• 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, mentoring, coaching and advocates the importance of knowledge management.

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.

How to Apply: 

To apply, please click this link: Career Opportunities: Project Manager - Break Free Project (46052) (successfactors.eu)

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.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position.