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.

ROLE PROFILE

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 85 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Plan International Uganda will be implementing a DECIDE project aligned to its new Country Strategy 2023-2027 using Sponsorship funding in East Central, Northern and West Nile Programe Areas. The DECIDE project is aligned to three areas of Global Distinctiveness (AoGDs) including SRHR, Protection from Violence and LEAD. Core activities will include sexuality education for improved knowledge attitude and practice, capacity enhancement of SRH service providers, integrated community outreaches for Youth Friendly Services including MHM, young citizen community score cards, and group-based activities using the Champions of Change model as well as activities engaging teen mothers, and boys and men. The DECIDE sponsorship project will be integrated with the sponsorship funded LEARN activities.

Dimensions of the Role

The Project Officer will lead on timely and efficient implementation of all project activities in the Programme Area and is responsible for the delivery of project results in accordance with Plan International’s values and behaviors, including gender transformative outcomes and Safeguarding of all Children. S/he will work closely with the Programme Area Team including the Programme Area Manager, Programme Area Coordinator and Community Development Facilitators, as well as other project programme staff to ensure effective coordination and delivery. S/he support strengthen the capacity of governance structures and district local government structures and systems to establish and enhance delivery of quality services in the target communities.

RESPONSIBILITIES/ ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Ensure high quality collaboration and coordination is maintained for effective and efficient implementation of Project interventions by all stakeholders.
• He/she will support district and sub district stakeholders in the implementation of all Project interventions supported by the project.
• Support conduct planning meetings and come up with ways of addressing any gaps that are identified including supporting district stakeholders during supervision and monitoring of Project activities.
• Support Orientation of key district stakeholders on implementation of Project activities-what it requires, implications, roles and responsibilities-action Plan for the district
• Support organize and conduct Project reflection and review meetings at team and district levels that bring on board different stakeholders.
• Support project stakeholders conduct quarterly project monitoring and support supervision visits and meetings.
• Motivate and ensure team work amongst the staff for greater and better performance.
• Provide technical guidance and specialized expertise specific to the role for quality services to the project participants.
• Support tracking, monitoring, evaluation, documentation and reporting of project outputs, outcomes, impact or results and changes in close collaboration with Project Manager.

Child Protection and Gender Equality & Inclusion

• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion 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.

Key relationships

• The Project Officer will work in close collaboration with key project stakeholders at District and Sub- district levels. S/He will specifically maintain regular day to day working relationship with stakeholders at district/sub district levels in all the targeted communities. S/He will also maintain regular working relationship with other partners implementing similar interventions in the assigned districts to ensure harmonized programming and implementation of project interventions at district and community level. Internally, S/He will work in close collaboration with the Project Manager, Programme Area Coordinator and Community Development Facilitators within the implementation areas.

Leadership and Business Management Competencies

Leadership Competencies

• Set and communicate ambitious but realistic work goals and priorities, explaining how these contribute to Plan International’s purpose.
• Set high standards for self and others’ behavior, inside and outside work. Championing our values and commitment to rights, gender equality and safeguarding. Supporting the health, well-being and both physical and psychological safety of our staff, including their safety to speak out.
• Hold self and others to account for what we have agreed, dealing with poor performance quickly, firmly and constructively.
• Create a positive team spirit, helping people work well together, to reflect and continuously improve the efficiency and quality of what we do.
• Collaborate with team members, colleagues and partners in finding creative solutions to problems by sharing information, experience and ideas and actively seeking their input.
• Motivate and developing others by taking an interest, giving constructive feedback and praise, ensuring they are properly trained and helping them utilize their potential.
• Accept change and support others in adjusting to it, helping them understand.

Business Management Competencies

• Understand the sectoral context relevant to DECIDE including how the sector operates in terms of funding and governance and awareness of Plan’s purpose, values, and global strategy
• Manage legal and reputational risk including risk assessment, communication, risk management and reporting in full compliance with risk-related standards, including in areas such as Child and Youth Safeguarding and Protection, Gender equality and inclusion, Counter Fraud, Safety and Security
• Manage activities and resources including skills in strategic thinking, planning and organising, financial planning and monitoring, negotiation and programme and project management
• Manage people and information including skills in assessment and coaching, evidence-based management, communication skills, both speaking and writing, and digital working, including personal digital skills

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

• Bachelors degree in Social Sciences, Public Health, or its equivalent, with professional training on Adolescent Sexual Health programming.
• At least two years of progressively professional work experience in design, implementation and evaluation of programmes in the area of interest.
• Excellent coordination, networking and organization skills. Able to work in a matrix environment and keep track of multiple priorities and adhere to deadlines
• Demonstrated skills and experience in report writing, donor compliance and budget management.
• Ability to identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned to promote knowledge management and sustainability.
• Ability to work in hard to reach, hard to stay areas and familiar with programming for vulnerable children especially young girls and boys.
• Establishes effective partnerships with external stakeholders
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills, with ability to work with people from diverse cultures
• Strong computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft software including MS Word processing, Power point presentation, Excel spreadsheets, e-mail and web-based research.
• Experience in gender mainstreaming and gender equality and inclusion in development programming
• Knowledge of environment and current effective practices of SRHR, GBV, MHM and Civil Society Strengthening in Uganda.

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

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

Physical Environment

• The Project Officers will be based in the Programme Area districts with frequent travel to the field.

Level of contact with children

Frequent direct interaction with children

As a Child Centred Development organisation, Plan International Uganda strives to ensure that children are kept safe in all the areas we operate. The organisation further has a Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy that every staff is required to sign. As a result, this position comes with additional responsibilities for safeguarding children and young people