JOBS AT PLAN INTERNATIONAL MALAWI 2017

Gender Specialist

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization 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 is 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 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas. Plan aims to reach as many children as possible, particularly those who are excluded or marginalized; with high quality programs that deliver long lasting benefits by increasing its income, working in partnership with others and operating effectively.

Plan International Malawi (PIM) is currently recruiting for a qualified and experienced individual to fill the role of Gender Specialist. The position provides technical support for gender equality and inclusion of marginalized groups of persons in all elements of the five year Country Strategy 2017-2022.  S/he ensures the implementation of plan’s commitment to gender equality based on the international standards and systematic collection and analysis of gender for both adults and children in all programs and projects. The overall purpose of this position holder is to ensure the mainstreaming and promotion of gender equality and inclusion in the Country Strategy and strengthen specific programs for the empowerment of girls, women and persons marginalized by gender inequalities to close gender gaps and help overcome gender-based inequality and discrimination. He/she will coordinate the Because I am A Girl movement in the country, so that it is translated into effective and innovative programming, policy and research initiatives that have a direct positive impact on the communities within which Plan works

Dimensions of Role

• The post holder will report to the Head of Programs at Country office. He/she has no direct reports under his/her supervision but will have dotted line technical supervision to all Gender related projects personnel.  
• The post holder directly managers the Gender program budget, subject to availability and provide budget oversight for field based projects except for individual grant project budgets with own project managers.  
• The Gender Specialist is responsible for the functionality of GESA findings and implementation of Gender Action Plan of PIM. Developing mainstreaming guidelines/strategies to all elements of Country Strategy.
• S/he is in charge of staff capacity building on gender equality and mainstreaming at various levels. The position holder is also responsible for the gender issues and all forms of marginalization based on gender inequalities and ensure that in all proposal developments such issues are tackled and addressed.
• The post holder will represent Plan in the regional and global Networks of Gender Equality.

Typical Responsibilities - Key end Results of the Position:

Project design, implementation and reporting

• Providing and operationalizing the realization of Plan Gender  strategic direction and technical support in the development of effective Gender  strategies/actions in Plan
• Ensure that all project activities are technically sound & are aligned to Plan Gender Policy.
• Ensure that all implemented activities & acquired outputs are gender transformative.
• Work closely with program staffs and support to allocate budget for gender equality and inclusive activity and ensure gender equality issues and sex disaggregated data are included in monitoring report.
• Implement the national action plan on gender equality for the organization which incorporates both organizational and programmatic aspects.
• Organize Because I Am A Girl (BIAAG) movement at national and program implementation level according to the global BIAAG strategy.
• Prepare overall operational plans & provide technical support to all Program Areas.
• Be responsible for gender mainstreaming in all plan program areas.
• Ensure equal and fair opportunities and representation of both sexes and of all persons marginalized by gender inequalities in the program area.
• Prepare annual and quarterly implementation plans and budgets

Resource mobilization

• Provide technical assistance in all proposal developments from a gender and inclusive perspective.
• Identify potential grant projects, provide technical inputs to grant proposals, narrative grant and evaluation reports and monitor the expenditures of grant projects.  
• Manage project resources efficiently and effectively in accordance with Plan International Malawi policies and guidelines
• Ensure efficient utilization of funds for the programs in close collaboration with the field program coordinators and finance departments both at the Country Office and Program Area levels
• Prepare and submit periodic narrative and financial reports in a timely manner according to Plan and donor requirements

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Assist the development of monitoring and evaluation system in line with gender principles and values.  
• Assist technically on gender related researches at various levels.
• Monitor and evaluate the mainstreaming of gender in all interventions
• Prepare quality and timely preparation of annual progress reports including case studies and lessons learnt and preparation and documentation of quality case studies on best practice.
• Identify, document and disseminate best practices from within and outside Plan to staff and other development partners.
• Ensure project learning and achievements are documented and disseminated widely

Program integration and mainstreaming

• Ensure that all programs and projects are inclusive sensitive
• Develop necessary guidelines & systems for gender mainstreaming in all programs.
• Mainstream disaster risk reduction and emergency response interventions as well as inclusion and gender in relevant program designs and implementation.
• Mainstream child protection in the program area as well as observe the child protection policy and be vigilant to report all child protection concerns.
• Mainstream child centered community development approach in the project cycle to achieve appropriate participation of stakeholders and help them play a leading rolls;
• Foster collaboration and support at program level to develop plans for integrating programs with other thematic areas
• Work in collaboration with BIAAG team organizing Because I Am A Girl (BIAAG) movement at national and program area level according to the global BIAAG strategy.

Partner development and strengthening

• Provide technical assistance and build the capacities of local partners in project management.
• Provide high level guidance to field staff on smooth partnership management for enhanced project implementation.
• Ensure that appropriate partner assessment is done on time and communicated to relevant staff.
• Ensure adequate stakeholder consultation and participation at all stages of the project implementation

Networking and representation

• Establish partnerships and networks with NGOs, Government bodies, forums and CBOs for cross learning, identification of lessons learned, best practices, resources mobilization and scaling-up to enhance program initiatives
• Network effectively with others to draw information and knowledge for the development of project inputs and strategy development.
• Actively participate in relevant networks at national, regional and global levels.
• Closely work with the Regional Gender Advisor and Country Office program staffs.
• Organize and facilitate national, regional and district level workshops and experience sharing visits.

Staff Development

• Actively participate in the country program team in an open, cooperative and proactive manner and contribute towards ensuring smooth departmental collaboration and coordination.
• Provide technical assistance and training on promoting gender equality for partners and stakeholders.
• Build the capacity of staff and partners on gender mainstreaming, budgeting
• Organize regular performance review meetings to assess progress but also to agree on and communicate any changes in strategy with the key project stakeholders
• Build the technical capacity of Plan staff and community volunteers and also ensure optimum community involvement in the conceptualization, development, management, monitoring and evaluation of the inclusion interventions.

Dealing with Problems:

She/he is expected to identify key gender issues and gather relevant information and analyze the positive and negative impacts. It requires ability to investigate and solve complex problems that the organization focuses on. The position requires an objective, integrated and multidisciplinary approach to programming. The post holder requires a clear understanding of the policies, procedures, strategic direction of the organization and the ability to conceptualize the existing interrelationships, organizational working environment and other prevailing conditions. The post holder must be able to cope up with and address all gender equality and inclusiveness related problems that PIM is facing currently.

• Identifies weaknesses in gender equality mainstreaming practice and develops targeted solutions alongside the identification and promotion of gender equality and exclusion.
• Develops an innovative mix of communication approaches on key inclusiveness messages and learning in order to inform and support all parts of the organization, including senior management team.

Educational Qualification and Experience

• Masters’ degree in Gender studies, sociology, or any other related field
• Substantial experience (minimum of 5 years) in gender and development programs/projects.
• Good knowledge on Gender Mainstreaming and particularly gender transformation, budgeting, analysis
• Experience in gender programs and experience at community level projects
• Experience in gender advocacy and networking
• Experience in designing & facilitating training
• Experience in participatory methodologies
• Knowledge of current international development trends and thinking on program effectiveness and in Child Rights programming.

Knowledge

• Extensive knowledge on inclusion and gender.
• Understand organizational principles, systems and have the ability to provide leadership and support to staff working at community level.
• Understanding of integrated development issues
• Knowledge of child-rights programming
• Knowledge of  participatory monitoring, evaluation and research systems and processes

Skills Specific to the Post

• Strong analytical skills.
• Good report writing skills
• Working experience with children, youth and adults.
• Negotiation and influencing skills
• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Strong team building and motivational skills
• Strong organizational and project management skills, and ability to deliver to tight deadlines

Attractive remuneration package will be offered to the successful and enthusiastic candidate. Applications with detailed CV, contact phone numbers and three traceable referees must be forwarded to the following address by close of business on 20th January 2017

The Country Director

Plan Malawi

Off Presidential Way, Area 14/1000 Block A

P.O. Box 2053

Capital City

Lilongwe

Through Email to:  recruitment.mw@plan-international.org