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 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.
Title: Accountability Advisor
Functional Area: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Research
Reports to: Play Matters Program Manager- Region
Location: Country Office
Travel required: Yes
Effective Date: November 2020
Grade: E
ROLE PURPOSE
This position contributes to this goal by leading accountability work for the PlayMatters project across consortium partners and project countries. This position has the overall responsibility of developing and maintaining an accountability framework for the PlayMatters project and advising and supporting consortium partners across project countries to ensure a high level of accountability.
Plan International is currently implementing a 5-years multi-country project- Play Matters- Sparkling Life Long learning” seeking to embed play-based learning into education for 800,000 refugee and host children ages 3-12+ in Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania. The project is implemented by an international consortium consisting of Six partners led by International Rescue Committee (IRC) and funded by the LEGO Foundation.
Dimensions of the Role
Support program teams across consortium partners and project countries. Develop an Accountability Framework for the PlayMatters project; train and support program staff on child-friendly accountability practices and procedures; support program teams to maintain a high level of accountability for the duration of the project; and regularly receive, analyse, and report on project data related to accountability, working with the consortium’s MEL manager to ensure that feedback is used to learn from and improve on the programme interventions. .

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Map out existing accountability practices and procedures across consortium partners, including existing protocols for reporting, escalation, and response mechanisms for serious feedback
• Develop an Accountability Framework for the PlayMatters project utilizing existing practices and procedures identified (e.g. minimum standards and practices across consortium partners; what data to collect and frequency of collection; how feedback is reported back to communities; consistency checks and benchmark system; etc.)
• Develop a consortium-wide escalation and response system for serious feedback
• Deliver training to program teams on accountability practices, procedures, and tools
• Support program teams to set up and maintain child-friendly and gender-sensitive feedback mechanisms, including training staff on the Plan International Child-Friendly Feedback Mechanisms Toolkit and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)
• Drive forward new ways for program staff to utilize feedback for learning and program improvement/ iteration
• Regularly receive, analyse, compile, and report on feedback to consortium members through the PlayMatters MEL working group, specifically 1) identifying risks in order to prevent any potential negative impact of program activities, and 2) using data to inform program improvement through recommendations and iteration
• Report on serious issues (e.g. protection, GBV, PSEA, etc.) as they arise through feedback mechanisms or other means to appropriate focal points
• Liaise with the Research working group to ensure that accountability and feedback mechanisms and practices are mainstreamed through all research initiatives across the consortium, including control communities not specifically targeted by the PlayMatters project
• Support external non-consortium partners who take up PlayMatters approaches during the path to scale to ensure that accountability and feedback mechanisms and practices are mainstreamed through related programming
• Generally, advise, support, and provide technical assistance to Plan International staff and consortium partners across project countries to maintain a high level of accountability and high-quality accountability systems, practices, and procedures for the duration of the PlayMatters project

Key relationships
• PlayMatters Project Managers (Plan International Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia)
• PlayMatters M&E Coordinators (Plan International Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia)
• Emergency Response Managers / Program Area Managers (Plan International Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia)
• PlayMatters Programme Manager (Plan International Denmark)
• PlayMatters MERL Advisor (Plan International Remote)
• PlayMatters MEL Working Group Co-Chairs (IRC & IPA)
• PlayMatters Research Working Group Chair (War Child)
• PlayMatters Consortium partner focal points (e.g. Project Coordinators and M&E Coordinators)

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge
ESSENTIAL
• Masters or Post-graduate certification in Social Sciences, International Development, Education, Humanitarian Response, Monitoring & Evaluation, Accountability, or related field
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience working in Emergency or development Contexts
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience working on M&E and Accountability design and implementation
• Demonstrated experience providing technical support and guidance in M&E and Accountability
• Full proficiency in English
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to communicate and work well with others across countries, cultures, and contexts
• Strong computer skills (i.e. good working knowledge of Microsoft office programs including Excel, Word, Power Point, and Outlook)
• Strong data analysis and critical thinking skills
• Strong report writing skills
• Self-starter who takes initiative and can work independently and under pressure
• Strong drive for results and ensuring timely execution of tasks
• Strong commitment to inclusion and equity
• Strong sense of ethics and integrity

DESIRED
• Field experience working in international emergency and humanitarian affairs
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in humanitarian/emergency response and international M&E and Accountability standards
• Demonstrated experience and expertise in child-friendly and gender-sensitive feedback mechanisms
• Demonstrated experience working on large-scale, multi-country, multi-partner projects
• Demonstrated experience in training and capacity-building
• Demonstrated experience working on emergency programmes in East Africa