Project Specialist

Project Specialist- SAFE Girls

Functional Area: Program – Lead and Decide (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights(SRHR) and Gender Based Violence)

Reports to Direct: Regional Manager, Regional Office West

Matrix: Program, Partnership and Impact Director

Location: Country Office, Kathmandu

Travel required: Yes (25%)

Grade: D1

Type: Open to all applicants, Fixed term employment until Dec 2026; based in Country office- Kathmandu

ABOUT PLAN INTERNATIONAL

Plan International is a development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We strive for a just world, working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners in over 75 countries. Our programs are underpinned by a core of defined values, including transparency and accountability, team collaboration, inclusion and integration, as well as the overall ambition to empower girls and young women as legacy.

Plan International has been working in Nepal since 1978 and developed a strong reputation as a respected development and humanitarian actor helping marginalized children, their families and communities to access their rights to health, education, economic security and protection. Through the support of local partners, Plan International has worked in 42 districts in Nepal since 1978.

Plan International strives for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Our ambition from now to 2027 is to see All Girls Standing Strong Creating Global Change.

Plan International Nepal seeks candidates who practice feminist leadership, promote diversity, actively seek innovative solutions for problems, courageously and respectfully share their opinions and ideas, break down barriers and engender cross-department collaboration, practice active listening, maintain confidentiality, build trust and are passionate about children’s rights and equality for girls.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Project Specialist (PS) (herein referred as PS) will lead the “Safe and enabling environment for adolescent girls and young women (SAFE-Girls)” project through partnership with UNFPA. The project shall be implemented by local NGO partners in two districts -Kapilvastu and Rolpa. The position is responsible for planning, executing, monitoring and control and closure of the project within donor compliance. The position shall maintain close coordination with UNFPA, local implementing partner and other key stakeholders including the three tiers of the government.

In adherence to Plan International Nepal’s Country Strategy 2023-28, the PS will play a significant role in achieving its objective through this project, as demonstrated by its high sense of accountability, mutual respect and teamwork. As the PS, he/she must have an in-depth understanding of project management for smooth facilitation including people management, effective organisational and programme communication, partnership management and adherence to quality programming and compliance (Government of Nepal and Donor).

Description

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

The PS’s main responsibility is to ensure appropriate planning, executing, monitoring and control and closure of the project, including ensuring timely and quality implementation of the project through local NGO. The position will require frequent travel to relevant palikas of Rolpa and Kapilvastu districts and need to coordinate with local, provincial and federal government. The position will also work closely with the partners and maintain cordial relationship with the donor.

The PS is a member of Programme, Partnership, and Impact (PPI) Department and works closely with Programme Quality and Innovation Unit (PQI) including Monitoring, Evaluation Research and Learning (MERL) unit, Business Development Department (for grants compliance/donor reporting) Influencing, Campaigns and Communications (ICC) team with regards to quality program, program effectiveness and efficiency.
S/he will be responsible for:

General: Provide strategic, and managerial leadership for the project “Safe and enabling environment for adolescent girls and young women (SAFE-Girls)”
Partner Management: ensure effective project implementation, provide strategic and managerial support, and act as liaison between partner organization and Plan International Nepal on a regular basis. Where necessary provide capacity building directly or by involving the appropriate department (either technical or support), carry out partners’ assessment as required by the projects and organization, make necessary capacity building plan and ensure its implementation.
Budget Management: ensure budgets are phased and include appropriate WBS and program codes, follow up with transaction reports on bi-weekly/monthly basis to ensure adequate burn rate aligning with the time spend.
Staff Management / Coordination: Coordinate and hold regular review meetings across sectors to avoid duplication of effort and to keep all key staff up to date.
Representation: Work with local and Province levels government and other agencies, as relevant, to ensure Plan is compliant with all requirements. Ensure Plan International Nepal’s voice is heard at relevant forums
Reporting: Ensure donor/NO/ Plan reports meet time and quality standards
Coordination and Networking: Liaise and coordinate with stakeholders, implementing partners and the government to maximize the results intended through this project.

Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modeling Plan International Nepal’s values.

Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

S/he will be responsible for:

General: Provide strategic, and managerial leadership for the project “Safe and enabling environment for adolescent girls and young women (SAFE-Girls)”
Partner Management: ensure effective project implementation, provide strategic and managerial support, and act as liaison between partner organization and Plan International Nepal on a regular basis. Where necessary provide capacity building directly or by involving the appropriate department (either technical or support), carry out partners’ assessment as required by the projects and organization, make necessary capacity building plan and ensure its implementation.
Budget Management: ensure budgets are phased and include appropriate WBS and program codes, follow up with transaction reports on bi-weekly/monthly basis to ensure adequate burn rate aligning with the time spend.
Staff Management / Coordination: Coordinate and hold regular review meetings across sectors to avoid duplication of effort and to keep all key staff up to date.
Representation: Work with local and Province levels government and other agencies, as relevant, to ensure Plan is compliant with all requirements. Ensure Plan International Nepal’s voice is heard at relevant forums
Reporting: Ensure donor/NO/ Plan reports meet time and quality standards
Coordination and Networking: Liaise and coordinate with stakeholders, implementing partners and the government to maximize the results intended through this project.

Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modeling Plan International Nepal’s values.

Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Planning & Budgeting and Start-up

• Leads and develops project’s work plan and budget in coordination and consultation with local implementing partner and other relevant stakeholders.
• Ensures the approved work plan is understood by all the project team including local implementing partner.
• Develops and ensure local implementing partner has the detailed implementation plan including realistic phased budget outlining major activities and timeline for the funds allocated.
• Lead a smooth start-up of the project at provincial and local level.

Project Delivery & Management

• Leads project team comprising of Plan and partner staff.
• Ensures project activities, fund allocation and expenditure are on track monthly and takes corrective measures by revisiting plans and communicating timely with supervisor and relevant stakeholders.
• Identifies risks associated with the project and derive mitigation measures.
• Providing clear direction and support to implementing partner for delivery of the project.
• Ensures the project team of both Plan International Nepal and partner are aware about the Safeguarding policy.
• Escalates issues to the supervisor or department head depending on the type of risk and level of risk-bearing accountability of the role.
• Follows Plan’s Project Management Manual and relevant guidelines to ensure program quality of the project.
• Coordinates with Senior /Technical Advisor for technical assistance as required and keeps them updated.
• Develop exit strategy and sustainability plan in coordination with relevant stakeholders.

Partnership Management

• Responsible for partnership management concerning the project as per Plan International Nepal’s Partnership Policy and Procedure.
• Oversees compliance by local implementing partner on the mandatory policies of Plan International Nepal and the Government of Nepal.
• Identifies gaps in policies, practices and systems of local implementing partner and recommends for improvements.
• Ensures the partner develops corrective action plans after monitoring, reviews or assessments.
• Follows partnership principles and approach outlined in Building Better Partnership Guideline.
• Supports to develop capacity building initiative for the implementing partners based on the partnership reviews, appraisals and gap identification.

Documentation & Reporting

• Prepares high-quality project reports and documents as per donor schedule for submission to donor.
• Documents lessons of the project in the form of lessons learned, best practices, case studies, etc. in coordination with Communication department.
• Ensures all the documents related to the project and partnership is appropriately archived andretained following Plan’s Document Retention and Archiving policy.
• Disseminates key learnings and challenges of the project in various platforms.

Representation and Networking

• Collaboration and coordination with government counterparts, external development partners and donors at various levels as required.
• Supports in program areas to build strong networks with other NGOs, CSOs, bilateral and multi- lateral agencies and Government line agencies working on SRHR issues to promote coordination and resource sharing at the Palikas/districts/province level.
• Represent Plan International Nepal in various external meetings related to the project.
• Support donor visits in the project area (if any).
• Build links with other NGOs especially who manages similar project in the district and province levels.

Innovation and Scale

Identifies new ideas, best practices, problems and issues around program implementation and works toward finding solutions for improvements, documenting, disseminating and in consultation with relevant departments and themes.

Other

• Carry out other related tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Ensure Plan International’s CPP and GEI policies

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 (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential Knowledge and Experience

• A Master’s degree in development studies, development management, social science, public health, or other relevant subjects with at least three years of experience in project management, preferably SRHR and GBV projects OR a
• Bachelor’s Degree in a similar field with at least five years of experience of project management.
• Proven experience in managing and working with partner NGO including staff management and development.
• Ability to communicate effectively and authoritatively on area of expertise, and influence others to reach common goals.
• Proven experience and ability to coordinate and collaborate with different organizations including the government and demonstrable working experience in development program.
• Some experience working in M&E is desirable.
• Good knowledge of project management approach including Level 1 certification of Project DPro or PMP or similar, desirable.
• Knowledge of basic MS Office including MS Outlook, MS Word and MS Excel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Skills (leadership/managerial if applicable)

• Good written and verbal English and Nepali skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, a variety of team members and external contacts, through good written and spoken communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills for team working in multi-lingual and multi-cultural environment.
• Demonstrably strong verbal and written communication, presentation and persuasion skills.
• Ability to plan work and meet deadlines when working under pressure.
• Sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including ability to think creatively and be innovative, set priorities, manage work plans and evaluate progress.
• Strategic, analytical, negotiation skill and decision-making skills.
• Able to create linkages, networking, lobbying and advocating with relevant stakeholders.
• Good awareness and analysis of sensitivities attached with the government functionaries.
• Ability to articulate the vision of Plan’s programme to different audiences.

Behaviours

• Demonstrable professional maturity and able to work independently.
• Ability to apply good judgment and professionalism in the resolution of work-related problems.
• Honest, encourages openness and transparency.
• Efficient in meeting commitments and deadlines in achieving results.
• Ability to plan and organize work by identifying priority activities and adjusting priorities as required.
• Demonstrated approach to work that is characterized by commitment, motivation, energy and flexibility.
• Ability to relate to government authorities, UN agencies, and other development/humanitarian actors and to build a rapport effectively.Continually assessing the external policy and advocacy landscape and adjusting strategy and activities as needed.
• Commitment to Plan’s values including the rights and needs of children.

PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTISE

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

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

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The position is based in Country Office, Lalitpur with frequent to travel to project districts and provincial capital of Lumbini Province.

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN

High level: Frequent interaction with children

“Say Yes ! To Keeping Children and Young people safe and Protected”

Application Deadline: Wednesday 18th Dec, 2024

Source: Kantipur Dainik, 5 December, 2024