Plan International Nepal Vacancy for Project Officer

Functional Area: Program

Reports to: Deputy Chief of Party

Location: Plan International Central Office

Travel required: Yes

Grade: C1

Type: Open to all applicants, Fixed term employment until Dec 2025; based in Country Office.

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.

USAID Equity and Inclusion in Education is a five-year project set to implement in Karnali and Madhesh Province with the objective of contributing to reduce barriers to access and retention in grade 6-10; improve quality education for marginalized children; and ensure quality implementation of disbursement linked indicators related to equity and inclusion activities under School Education Sector Plan (SESP). The project will be implemented in approximately 1900 schools spanning 215 LGs across 18 districts of Karnali and Madhesh Province.

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

This role involves supporting the overall planning, programming, and budgeting processes, as well as preparing periodic reports under the guidance of the Deputy Chief of Party. S/he will aid implementing partners in executing programs within the designated districts. They will assist the Deputy Chief of Party with the execution of all activities, gather periodic progress reports from implementing partners, and compile these into a comprehensive progress report for the project. Additionally, this position contributes to the development and implementation of organizational strategies, policies, and practices.

Description

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

The Project Officer will be working under the direct supervision of the deputy chief of party. However, s/he will be working in close collaboration with finance and operation team for revision of the program budget, organization of program events; and working with Technical Advisor/MERL Manager for preparing event completion reports, periodic program implementation progress reports. 

Direct Line Manager:  Deputy Chief of Party

Budget Accountability:  None 

Number of direct reports: None

External relationships and representation: Implementing Partners, Government Agencies at Federal, and other Development Partners.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

The Project Officer performs her/his roles under the guidance of CoP/DCoP. However, S/he has to have a regular communication and collaboration with various units and positions inside the organization and outside of the organization so as to charge her/his responsibilities. The table below states the relationship that the incumbent has to establish with. 

ACCOUNTABILITIES

The Project Officer is essential to the project's successful execution. S/he is responsible for:

Annual Work Plan and Implementation of Strategies:

• Support in development and preparation of the annual work plan and implementation strategies in a timely manner.

• Ensure that work plans and strategies are communicated and forwarded to implementing partners for execution.

• Assist in preparing in setting timelines, and allocating the project budget.

• Work under the direct supervision and guidance of the Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) to ensure alignment with project goals and objectives.

• Seek and incorporate feedback from the DCoP to improve work plans and strategies.

Information Management:

• Collect and manage essential information required for planning, programming, budgeting, and resource targeting.

• Collaborate closely with the Knowledge Management Specialist and the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) team to ensure accurate and comprehensive data collection and management.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date program documentation, including project files, records, and reports.

Technical Assistance:

• Work with partners to identify the technical assistance needs and connect with expertise, in consultation with DCoP, to enhance the quality and effectiveness of program interventions.

• Support partners in addressing challenges and implementing best practices.

Collaboration and Coordination:

• Foster strong collaboration with internal teams, including finance, operations, and technical advisors, project coordinator-E&I, to ensure cohesive program execution.

• Coordinate with external stakeholders and partners to align efforts and share information.

• Support in organizing periodic meetings and events with GoN agencies at all tiers, development partners, and other organizations.

Reporting:

• Prepare and submit periodic progress reports that detail program implementation status, challenges, and achievements.

• Ensure that reports are accurate, comprehensive, and submitted on time.

• Prepare presentations, and other project-related materials for submission to donors, the Ministry of Education Science and Technology, and central level agencies.

Quality Improvement:

• Continuously seek opportunities to improve the quality of program interventions.

• Implement feedback and lessons learned to enhance program outcomes.

Compliance and Standards:

• Ensure that all program activities adhere to organizational policies, donor requirements, and industry standards.

• Maintain compliance with regulatory and reporting requirements in collaboration with finance and operation team.

Resource Management:

• Assist in budgeting and resource allocation to ensure efficient use of resources.

• Assist in monitoring budget expenditures and report any variances or issues to the appropriate team members.

• Collaborate with the finance team to review and revise the annual budget as per requests from implementing partners upon the CoP decision.

Capacity Building:

• Participate in and contribute to capacity-building initiatives for implementing partners and team members.

• Share knowledge and best practices to enhance team capabilities and program effectiveness.

Program Oversight and Monitoring:

• Oversee program activities, track and monitor progress, and ensure project outcomes are achieved.

• Support in monitoring program implementation progress and identifying areas for improvement.

Additional Tasks:

• Undertake any other tasks as assigned by the CoP/DCoP to meet project deliverables and priorities.

SAFEGUARDING

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Program Participants and Gender Equality and Inclusion (DEI) 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

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Ability to prepare annual work plans, set timelines, allocate budgets, and monitor project implementation progress.

• Skill in conducting in-house studies/research activities and analyzing data to inform program development and decision-making.

• Strong ability to coordinate and collaborate with internal teams, implementing partners, Government agencies, and development partners to achieve program objectives.

• Skill in maintaining accurate and up-to-date program documentation, including project files, records, and reports.

• Proficiency in preparing periodic reports, presentations, and other materials for stakeholders and donors.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for effectively liaising with diverse stakeholders and presenting project-related information.

Education, Qualification and Experience

• At least Bachelor's degree in Education, Rural/ Sustainability Development, International Development, Social Science, or any other relevant field, with experience in related field. 

• Minimum 2 years of working experience in project management, program coordination, budgeting or a related field,

• Experience working in international development projects or with NGOs.

Knowledge

• Innovative approaches of planning, programming, and budgeting including implementation procedures.

• Implementation action plan.

• Knowledge of donor requirements, organization standards, and regulatory frameworks to ensure program activities adhere to guidelines and policies.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey project objectives, progress, and outcomes to diverse stakeholders.

• Data analysis and data visualization (is desired).

Skills 

• Proficiency in project management software and Microsoft Office.

• Strong organizational and planning skills.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Skill in building and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders, including implementing partners, donors, government agencies, and community members.

• Capacity to identify challenges, analyze root causes, and develop practical solutions to ensure project success and overcome obstacles.

• Ability to gather, interpret, and analyze data and information to make informed decisions, evaluate program effectiveness, and drive continuous improvement.

PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE

We are open and accountable

We create a climate of trust inside and outside the organisation by being open, honest and transparent. We hold ourselves and others to account for the decisions we make and for our impact on others, while doing what we say we will do.

We strive for lasting impact

We strive to achieve significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, and to secure equality for girls. We challenge ourselves to be bold, courageous, responsive, focused and innovative.

We work well together

We succeed by working effectively with others, inside and outside the organisation, including our sponsors and donors. We actively support our colleagues, helping them to achieve their goals. We come together to create and implement solutions in our teams, across Plan International, with children, girls, young people, communities and our partners.

We are inclusive and empowering

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

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

• This position is based in Kathmandu Valley, with frequent travel to field as necessary.

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN

Medium Level: Medium interaction with children

"Say Yes ! To Keeping Children and Young people safe and Protected"   

NOTE: Applications are solely accepted through People2People online application procedures. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further selection process. Canvassing at any stage of processes shall lead to automatic disqualification.

Due to urgent priority to fill in the positions, recruitment can be held on a rolling basis and Plan International reserves the right to select a candidate prior to the deadline. Plan International Nepal invites all the applications including female candidates with priority from minority and youth groups for this position.

In recognition of the various needs of People with Disability (PWD), please reach out to People 2 People for direct application submission process.

Application Deadline: Thursday 25th July, 2024

To Apply Visit: p2p.com.np