Education and Protection Officer (Learn and Stay Protected Project)

The Organisation

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 85 years, and are now active in more than 80 countries.

THE OPPORTUNITY

According to Plan International’s Child, Early and Forced Marriage study in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) areas, girls in poor households are often forced to engage in child early and forced marriage as a family’s temporary way out of poverty. The study concluded that dowries from these are perceived as a temporary relief from the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19.

The Learn and Stay Protected Project was designed to lessen the impact of economic and inequality challenges brought by COVID-19 on the education, protection, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) needs of married and at-risk girls and young women, so they can participate in rights-claiming and talk about issues where they feel disempowered, in safe spaces, and with the protection of their families and communities.

In line with this project, Plan International invites competent, experienced, and committed professionals to fill the following position.

The Education and Protection Officer will provide technical and management support to strengthen the education and protection of children and youth (CAY) components of the project.

Further, as the Education and Protection Officer:

• You will review and analyze relevant qualitative/quantitative data/evidence, education and protection trends, and development from local, regional, and national levels to inform project approach and delivery.
• You will liaise with the other project staff and country office colleagues to ensure that programming is gender-responsive, inclusive, protective participatory, and consistent in using education indicators and measurements.
• You will network/advocate/collaborate with the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education, and other partners to ensure that Plan International’s work will add value and contribute to improving the education landscape in covered areas.
• You will provide training and capacity building of staff and partners on education and protection innovations or programming.
• You will conduct field visits to provide direct and immediate assistance to the covered communities
• Plan International is a development and humanitarian organization. In exceptional cases, you will be asked to support emergency response activities in the communities in your assigned covered areas.

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?

To be successful in the role you will need among other things:

• Graduate of Education or other related courses; a Post-graduate degree in a relevant discipline is an advantage.
• Experience and training in gender and inclusion, safeguarding/protection and education, working knowledge of education policies and priorities of the BARMM Government, especially in pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal Four.
• Five (5) years experience in education programming in a Philippine setting, preferably with a firm and broad grasp of Safeguarding Children and Young People, alternative delivery modes of education/alternative learning systems/technical and vocational education.
• Understands and uses appropriate theories and concepts on basic education (both formal and non-formal) and technical-vocational curriculum.
• Previous work experience in a similar project or in a non-government organization/s is an advantage.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to relate to people from all backgrounds.
• Applicants must be based in the Philippines and Filipino nationals.

Location: Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Norte

Type of Role: Project-based (until February 2025)

Reports to: Project Manager

This role requires fieldwork to the project areas.

Competitive compensation package (local T&C)

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.