Technical Coordinator | Kombolcha, Ethiopia

Job Description

The Organisation

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 80 countries.

ROLE PURPOSE 

The Technical Coordinator will be the first point of contact in WWA structure with the intervention areas. The coordinator will therefore, provide oversight to the overall planned activities, human and material resources. S/He will also be leading the formation and nurturing of partnerships with Government, Private, NGO and other key (and potential) partners operating under their respective operational areas. S/He represents WWA and PI with different coordination meetings, review meetings, and joint site visits.

As this position involves both managerial and technical roles, the Technical coordinator will be managing all the staffs under Him for timely planning, implementation and reporting of planned activities.

 Roles and responsibilities

• Prepare and develop annual and quarter work plans;
• Ensure proper and timely implementation of planned activities;
• Lead and coordinate the team under Him for highest performance;
• Monitor expenditure on a monthly basis to ensure spending is on track, and ensure forecasts are updated based on activities and in compliance with donor regulations.
• Prepare periodic programmatic reports and submit to WWA COP; also prepare government reports submits timely as per the government template;
• Take a lead in the development of new/emerging initiatives or activities as part of the WWA’s adaptive management process;
• Represent WWA Project in the implementation area and in regular meetings with key stakeholders;
• Establish and nurture strong partnership with local government partners, Community level structures, IP partners such as IPDC & EIC,  and other key stakeholders
• Provide regular and status updates to the COP and WWA team as required during catch up meetings and team meetings;
• Any other tasks as may be required for operational support directed by the line manager or designate.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Key Technical Competencies

• Good understanding of community capacity enhancement approaches including CC, IGA and VSLA;
• Sound experience and skills in Gender & Youth programming;
• Good understanding of enterprise development and access to finance;
• Good Understanding of Monitoring, Evaluation, and learning concepts and practices;
• Understanding and applying evidence-based strategies, methodologies and approaches to workforce development, decent work;
• Experience
• Coaching and training of colleagues as part of daily work on key concepts of ES, Gender, Workforce development, SRHR and by encouraging them to reflect on their own attitudes and values towards SRHR and the extent to which these align with Plan International’s positions. Challenging self, others and authority when behaviour and decisions are not supporting Plan International’s policies and positions.

Key Leadership Competencies

• Courageous, pro-active, and self-aware in tackling tough issues and working with others to implement practical solutions;
• Takes accountability for the quality of work to improve Plan International’s work and impact;
• Creates a climate of continuous improvement and practical innovation, open to challenge and new ideas;
• Alerts others to risks, especially concerning safeguarding;
• Works to the highest standards of integrity, operating with discretion in sensitive situations.
• Communicates clearly, both in speaking and writing, adjusting to the needs and interests of diverse colleagues, partners, policy makers, and communities;
• Actively builds and maintains collaborative relationships with colleagues and partners, facilitating and negotiating to reach practical solutions for all parties, often without using positional power.
• Actively promotes diversity, gender equality and inclusion;
• Encourages, supports and coaches colleagues, partners, female factory workers and young people to develop their capability and take more responsibility;
• Reflective and pro-active in developing and applying own technical expertise, keeping up to date with trends in theory and practice, and learning from others;
• Understands and adheres to the policies, processes, practices and standards relevant to own work and helps others do likewise.

Key Business Management Competencies

Understanding Plan International in Context    

• Can succinctly articulate the purpose, values, and aims of the project to a range of audiences. Can explain how Plan International will deliver on its objectives through the theory of change.
• Understands the purpose, lines of accountability and decision-making capacity for each structural element of the organisation. Helps staff to understand where they sit within the organisational structure and within the project.
• Supports others in understanding the local operating environment and to consider the implications for work activities.

Managing risk – Manages legal and reputational risk including full compliance with Plan International’s core risk-related standards. 

• Regularly undertakes and interprets risk assessments and is clear about the ownership and oversight of risks.
• Manages risk in accordance with local environment, including legal, and local and global appetites and tolerances, in coordination with project manager.
• Regularly communicates and discusses risk and escalates critical risks using the correct reporting process when necessary.
• Understands how to manage risk for our core standards:  Child and Youth Safeguarding and Protection, Gender equality and inclusion, Counter Fraud, Safety and Security

Managing activities and resources – Manages planning, finance, resources and delivery, including programme and project management to deliver increased impact.       

• Planning and budgeting – Contributes to strategic and operational plans, using strategic thinking, forecasting and financial planning skills.
• Procurement and logistics, including the procurement cycle and processes, involving the procurement team as appropriate.
• Managing resources and delivery including resource allocation, monitoring and reporting.
• Programme and project management including project management and MERL principles, communicating with project partners and financial procedures for cost allocation and cost-recovery.

Manages people and information – managing self and others, communication, evidence-based management and digital working to improve organisational effectiveness.

• Factors workforce needs into work plans, supports performance management and staff development especially through assessment, feedback and coaching.
• Effective communication in speaking and writing for different audience in line with brand and use of internal/external communication channel and methods.
• Practices evidence-based management using research and analytical skills.
• Identifies digital enablers to improve work practices and uses digital and technological skills and tools.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND BEHAVIOURS REQUIRED

Skills and Knowledge

• Master’s or First degree in Social science, Business Management, Economics, Development Studies or related fields
• Minimum 7 years for BA & 5 years for MA holders with relevant field experience in managing projects, Marker Systems (M4P), labour market- and preferably sound understanding of the Industrial parks & their partnership contexts.
• Experience in managing people as this position has predominantly a  managerial roles
•  Prior experience working with local governments and stakeholders in implementation of projects, including hands-on partnership management skills.
• Technical experience and knowledge in the areas of Gender/Women empowerment, Livelihoods promotion, VSLA, Enterprise Development, Youth Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment, Youth Innovative Program and, decent work
• Good knowledge of Monitoring, Evaluation Accountability and Learning.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a large team of national staff at different levels.
• Strong documentation and information management skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation
• Strong negotiation, influencing, and problem-solving skills.
• Numeracy and the ability to interpret financial data to understand budgetary processes including planning, monitoring, and reporting
• Ability to analyse information and evaluate options including planning skills
• Proficient in computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

Behaviors

• Passion for gender transformative programming, mission-driven work, and personal values aligned with Plan International.
• Inclusive and empowering approach, learning, and capacity development.
• Commitment to working transparently and with integrity.
• Demonstrated creativity and willingness to innovate.
• Flexible and adaptable work style to respond to an evolving context.
• Proven interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, and ability to build strong and productive relationships.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize and meet deadlines.

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.

Location: Kombolcha 

Type of Role: Technical Coordinator 

Reports to: Chif Of Party 

Grade: D1

Closing Date: May 25, 2023

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.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.