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 Early Childhood Care and Development in Emergency (ECCD) 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.
The job holder provides effective support in ECCDiE and standards to effectively respond to the needs of 0-8 year-old children and their families affected by emergencies and disasters in close coordination and integration with health/nutrition, child protection and education projects and sectors. The main objective is to ensure the implementation of ECCD projects in emergency/refugee and recovery by actively engaging in planning, monitoring, evaluation and documentation processes. He/she participates in designing/developing, coordinating and managing all ECCDiE projects in the refugee. His/her work enables Plan Ethiopia to reach, assist and protect many vulnerable children facing rapid and slow on-set emergencies and disasters across the country and this is directly linked with Plan’s mandate of promoting and ensuring the wellbeing of children in Ethiopia.
Dimensions of the Role
The ECCD officer will be responsible and ultimately accountable for Legos Play Matters project’s quality ECCD 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 ECCD/preschool in refugee and host community
· Technical responsibility for the development and implementation of the LEGO Play Matters project
· Coordinate and integrate with child protection, health/nutrition and education officers/coordinators for quality delivery of the program
· 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.
· Represents Plan Ethiopia in humanitarian coordination meetings, taskforces, clusters and technical working groups in ECCD matters in refugee and host community areas.
· Ensure high quality ECCD LEGO project primary school activity management and maximize safety and wellbeing of all inhabitants especially children
Accountabilities
1. Assessment
2. Program Design
3. Response Management and Implementation
4. Representation
5. Response Monitoring, Reporting & Evaluation
6. Information and Co-ordination
7. Capacity Strengthening
Dealing with Problems:
§ Complexity of problems handled & the degree of investigation, analysis, & creative thinking required solving them
§ Systematic approach is needed to deal with ECCDiE issues and post holder needs to follow innovative approaches of working with children and families to empower them so that they take the leadership in the implementation of the project
§ The post holder has to closely consult and also get approval from education coordinator or senior management of the organization while embarking on sensitive issues in emergency situation.
Key relationships
Working contacts inside and outside the organization; include the purpose and level (high, medium, low) of the contact
Internally: CPiE and EiE Specialist, ERR Lead, ERR D/Lead Education Program Lead, Programme Manager, Head of Programme, Country Director, Head of Business Development, Head of Finance, Emergency Grants-Finance Coordinator, Logistics Manager, Head of HR& OD, Emergency HR Officer, Program Implementation Manager, other Program Leads and Technical Coordinators, field based ERR Project Coordinators and relevant staff at RESA & IH.
Externally: partner NGOs, UN agencies, government, bilateral and multilateral donors, and other stakeholders and Plan Eth. Partners.
Technical expertise, skills and knowledge
Gained through education, training, & experience
§ University degree in Psychology, Education, ECCD or related field
§ Minimum of 3 years of practical experience in ECCD (majority in the field)
§ Minimum of two successful assignments in a complex refugee emergency situation (at least one of these must be field level post );
§ Experience with the following technical areas:
o Establishing and implementing ECCD/pre-school activities
o Mobilizing and training of pre-school teachers
o Developing ECCD curriculum and training manuals (in English)
o Knowledge and experience of using and providing training on the INEE Minimum Standards for ECCD in Emergencies
o Designing and implementing Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) interventions – not only pre-school interventions, but multi-sectoral support for young children 0-8 years
o Participation and/or coordination with the ECCD -Education Cluster
o Knowledge and experience in formal and non-formal education
§ Experience with participatory approaches to ECCD, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, or other related area. Experience in Gambella Region is an asset.
Knowledge & Skills Specific to the Post
· Knowledge of humanitarian activities at refugee camps and understanding of international NGOs is preferred.
· Awareness of child protection issues
· Sensitivity to gender and child protection.
· Good command of the English language (both spoken & written)
· Knowing Nuer and Anywa language is an asset
· 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.