Adolescent Development Specialist, Zomba, Malawi

JOB TITLE: Adolescent Development Specialist

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Adolescent Development

LOCATION: Zomba

Type of Contract: Fixed Term

CHILD SAFEGUARDING: Level 3- The responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with children or young people and, in the overseas context all posts are considered to be level 3 posts in view of potential situations which may allow staff unsupervised access to vulnerable children and young people.

COMPANY PROFILE

Save the Children is the world's leading independent organisation for children. We work in 120 countries. We save children's lives; we fight for their rights; we help them fulfil their potential.

We work together, with our partners, to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

We have over two million supporters worldwide and raised 1.6 billion dollars last year to reach more children than ever before, through programmes in health, nutrition, education, protection and child rights, also in times of humanitarian crises.

Most of our international programmes are delivered through an merged operation with 14 000 staff, managed through seven regional hubs and reporting to a relatively small, central office. We have changed to become more efficient, more aligned, a better partner, a stronger advocate, a magnet for world-class people and relevant for the 21st century.

ROLE PURPOSE

Save the Children seeks an Adolescent Development (AD) Specialist for a Sponsorship funded program being implemented in TA Chikowi, Zomba, Malawi. The goal of the program is to enable adolescents (in and out of School – 10 to 18 years) to contribute positively towards their wellbeing and betterment of society. The program aims at 1) Increasing access and availability to friendly services for adolescents; 2) Improving quality of services; 3) Developing capacity and knowledge of adolescents in regard to Education, Reproductive and Sexual Health and Livelihood; and 4) Strengthening the policy and social environment to promote adolescents development. Ultimately, the program helps to reduce teen pregnancies and early marriages thereby reducing dropout from school while increasing cases of readmission for those who dropped out especially female adolescents. The AD specialist will have both technical and management experience managing and implementing adolescent health programs which include education, sexual and reproductive health and livelihoods. S/he will spearhead the implementation of effective approaches to deliver adolescent health messages through schools and communities. S/he will oversee planning and daily management of all AD related activities, including mentoring and training of partners and counterparts.

S/he will be responsible for ensuring the use of innovative, evidence based approaches and best practices in the delivery of the program services. S/he will be required to collaborate with all key partners in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the program. S/he will ensure adherence to all national and international standards in the design and implementation of the programme.

SCOPE OF ROLE: Reports to: Senior Manager Education and Child Development

Staff reporting to this post: Community Health Facilitators

Role Dimensions:

• Coordinating Education, Reproductive and Sexual Health and Livelihood opportunities for adolescents.
• Collaborate with stakeholders (government partners, Communities, youth/adolescents and other sectors within SCI) in implementing program activities.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY :

• In collaboration with the Reducing Teenage Pregnancy Health Specialist, provide programmatic leadership to ensure that program outputs are achieved over the life of the program.
• Contribute to project work planning, implementation and management related.
• Develop and modify as necessary the technical work plans and budget.
• Work with finance, grants and project staff to develop and track project budgets.
• Oversee the development of timely, accurate and appropriate reporting of project activities and results including progress and annual reports.
• Lead in program initiatives and effective implementation of program activities.
• Coordinate key areas of program focus which include Education, Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health and Livelihoods.
• Identify key operational support needs of program staff and work closely with the M&E.
• Provide guidance in the development of monitoring and evaluation tools.
• Participates and provides input into the Country Annual plans.
• Collaborate with government ministries, UN agencies, bilateral and multilateral development partners and other stakeholders for the smooth implementation of project activities.
• Engage with relevant key technical stakeholders at community and district level.
• Advocate scale up of initiatives of benefit to adolescents.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (SCI Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountability for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same.
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others.
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, and external partners.
• Values diversity sees it as a source of competitive strength.
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in public health, social sciences, health policy or a related field is required
• A Masters Degree will be an added advantage

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• At least five years of demonstrated technical expertise in working with adolescents in areas of HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health.
• Experience integrating gender concepts into development programming is preferred.
• Experience leading teams using strong communication and interpersonal skills strongly preferred.
• Experience interacting with government partners and counterparts is required.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and strong track record in meeting deliverables and deadlines and ability to provide oversight of financial and operational aspects of programs is preferred.
• Strong English language communication skills – both verbal and written.
• Proven expertise in developing and implementing effective partnerships with partners, local government entities and other NGOs.
• Proven leadership qualities, negotiation skills, and ability to collaborate with a wide range of partners and stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations.
• Ability to travel to rural areas to support program implementation.

Additional job responsibilities

The job duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Health and Safety

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

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