role PURPOSE
Plan International is an independent child rights and humanitarian organisation committed to children living a life free of poverty, violence and injustice.
We actively unite children, communities and other people who share our mission to make positive lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives. We support children to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today and in the future. We place a specific focus on girls and women, who are most often left behind.
We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.
Plan International Ethiopia is looking for an Education in Emergency (EIE) Officer for a five-year project, “PlayMatters”, funded by the LEGO Foundation. This position will be a part of the larger PlayMatters initiative to increase play-based learning opportunities for nearly 1 million pre-primary and primary school aged refugee and host community children impacted by the humanitarian crises in East Africa and living in Ethiopia and Uganda. This project seeks to build children’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical and creative skills through play in their homes, schools, and communities and will be implemented in partnership with War Child, Plan International, Ubongo, Behavioural Insights Team and Innovations for Poverty Action.
This position is responsible for assessment, response analysis, design and implementation of the education components of PLAN’s LEGO project emergency response. S/he will need to co-ordinate with other Emergency Response team members and PLAN staff, especially Implementation Management, protection and other relevant technical sectors, to ensure a rapid, proportionate and effective response. S/he will need to ensure response to immediate child education issues with simultaneous consideration of longer term needs and possible scenarios. The officer may be expected to take a very active role in technical co-ordination, support and advocacy with the country specific education Clusters and other stakeholders and technical agencies relevant to the sector.
Dimensions of the Role
The EIE officer will be responsible and ultimately accountable for Legos Play Matters project’s quality EIE programming and results achievement, stakeholder and partner relations, and donor deliverables. Gender sensitive principles of collaboration, participation, transparency and respect for the agency of women’s organizations will be integrated in all aspects of this role.
· Management of LEGO education Project at primary school in refugee and host community
· Technical responsibility for the development and implementation of the LEGO Play Matters project
· Liaison with government offices and bureaus and also with UN agencies, NGOs and other civic organizations operating specifically in the refugee camps and also in Gambella
· Has responsibility to comply with organizational and statutory policies and laws on HR legality matters and also on matters related to protection of children in gender and child rights in particular in emergencies and disasters.
· Ensure high quality primary school LEGO project primary school activity management and maximize safety and wellbeing of all inhabitants especially children
· Ensure effective collaboration and support of procurement, logistics, water, sanitation, health, security and education is ready duly
· Supervise and coordinate LEGO project focal point and community workers in the refugee camp area and host community area.
Accountabilities
1. Assessment
· Provide sectorial leadership and expertise in the assessment. Conduct initial rapid assessment of current situation in collaboration with local specialists and affected population; determine priorities and immediate activities and resources
· Review, assess and update the child protection situation in areas affected by emergency/Refugee.
· Highlight education issues requiring a response – both immediate (less than 2 months) and medium term and make recommendations on specific PLAN actions required. Ensure core commitments to children are taken into consideration.
· Represent PLAN to child and other protection clusters, stakeholders and Governmental and non-Governmental agencies (and military where present) for the purposes of the protection aspects of the assessment.
· Assess in-country resources, human, material and financial for response with relevant staff and agencies and assist in capacity building of national staff.
· Identify potential partnerships to implement recommendations, assess potential partners where available or make recommendations on how to fill gaps.
2. Program Design
· Define aims and objectives of the overall emergency education program.
· In collaboration with national and international Education and Child Protection Actors, map current institutional response capacities – including conducting an education specific 3Ws.
· In collaboration with Education Actors, develop a realistic evidence‐based, education program plan, including both programmatic and advocacy activities (results oriented).
· Design most appropriate education interventions based on the outcomes of assessments and the context.
· Ensure that issues of gender, protection, DRR, and conflict sensitivity are factored into the program design.
· Ensure PLAN’s guidelines and UN education cluster standards are considered and any departures documented.
· Work in close collaboration with other program specialists to ensure that emergency interventions build upon each other and link in to longer term programming.
· Develop an education Program Plan, concept papers, and proposals in respect of the above.
3. Response Reporting & Evaluation
· Work closely with project manager, the education in Emergency Coordinator and other education officers to ensure that the implementation of relevant activities are planned and implemented in a phased and prioritised manner in full consultation and co-ordination with all relevant agencies both governmental and non-governmental.
· Provide technical guidance and direction to PLAN for effective planning, implementation and monitoring of agreed education plans with special emphasis on the most vulnerable children and their families.
· Make frequent field visits to all affected provinces to monitor implementation of activities, identify opportunities and constraints and any adjustments needed including additional staffing or staff training or other.
· Design and develop appropriate surveillance, monitoring and evaluation systems for education interventions.
· In coordination with Child Protection staff, support the Monitoring and reporting of child protection concerns and violations of child rights commitments embodied in the UNCRC, resolution 1612 and other legal instruments.
· Ensure early and rigorous implementation of quality and accountability mechanisms.
4. Response Reporting & Evaluation
· Evaluate the implementation of PLAN child protection activities and draft recommendations for improved program design
· Draft education interventions reports to serve as standalone deliverables or to be included in larger emergency response reports for both donor and internal purposes.
5. Information and Co-ordination
· Provide regular updates to project manager and emergency team on progress, priorities and constraints – verbally and in writing on an agreed frequency.
· Engage and follow up with relevant implementation manager(s)
· Represent PLAN to governmental and non-governmental groups as needed and agreed with the Team Leader.
· Support the implementation of, and represent PLAN in, emergency education coordination mechanisms including any relevant cluster.
· Brief updates and reports on sectorial activities/strategies to donors and other stakeholders.
6. Human Resources and Administration
· Coordinate and/or implement training and briefing of PLAN staff, partners, and other key stakeholders on child protection and/or related issues.
Dealing with Problems:
§ Complexity of problems handled & the degree of investigation, analysis, & creative thinking required solving them
§ Resolves many challenges which typically occur in camp management at the PA level, while introducing innovations as needed to meet the demands of a dynamic and sometimes unpredictable operating environment while ensuring Plan systems and policies are adhered to.
Key relationships
Working contacts inside and outside the organization; include the purpose and level (high, medium, low) of the contact
Externally: Initiate, develop and maintain a range of working relationships, including with government counterparts, implementing partners and other development organizations with the region.
Internally: Effective working relationships within the program area are also essential. The job holder will have some level of communication with, Plan staff and various internal staff networks. .
Technical expertise, skills and knowledge
Gained through education, training, & experience
Educational Qualification and Experience
· Knowledge and experience in formal and non-formal education
Knowledge & Skills Specific to the Post
· Easily understand different software intended for Education Information Management System (EIMS)
· Competent in use of word and excel
Physical Environment and Demands
This post holder will be stationed in Gambella.
Level of Contact with Children
Responsibilities of this job require a high level of contact with children. Plan International’s global policy on safeguarding children and young people will be adhered to at all times.
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
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.