Technical Lead - Humanitarian Effectiveness

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

Role Purpose

This role exists to provide overall leadership and management of interventions for girls, boys, and young people in humanitarian crisis. The role ensures holistic humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) nexus programming and influencing using principled and locally led humanitarian action. It covers responsibilities spanning child and youth-centered disaster risk identification, mitigation, assessments, response, and monitoring. The role also covers planning and coordination of recovery interventions at the country and Program Area levels in line with Plan’s Country Strategy, policies, procedures and practices.

Dimensions of the Role

The Technical Lead: Humanitarian Effectiveness reports to the Director of Programme Strategy, and has no direct reports in line with the current structure. Depending on the grant funded portfolio of humanitarian projects, they may supervise technical specialist staff under Education/ Child Protection/ Sexual reproductive health and Rights/ Gender in Emergencies etc. They may also have matrix relationships with project staff on resilience, disaster risk reduction, and climate change projects. The incumbent works closely with Programme Area Managers (PAM), Director of Programme Implementation, Technical Programme Leads, and Humanitarian Project Managers or Coordinators to implement the programme at Area level and within projects. Interaction occurs regularly and monthly. They may have financial authority delegated to them by the Country Director to manage specific emergencies as the case may be.

Accountabilities

1. Strategic Design

2. Translate the Global Strategy and Country Strategy for humanitarian programming and influencing in Malawi into simple strategic manuals to increase staff understanding and facilitate its implementation

3. Develop a long-term vision and strategic planning to scale up the quality, pace, size and reach of our humanitarian action
4. Develop quality project concept papers and proposals, and leverage flexible income to respond early and quickly in a new emergency while engaging donors
5. Work with the Director of Programme Strategy to manage the formulation, organisation and delivery of high-level influencing
6. Plan and manage people, logistic and financial resources in consultation and cooperation with relevant functional support teams

7. Ensure compliance with relevant policies, guidelines and agreements of Government, multilateral and bilateral agencies and donors

8. Programming & Influencing

9. Oversee the collection of evidence and best practices to support advocacy and influencing efforts

10. Influence the strengthening or development of national level policies, procedures, and governance frameworks with particular focus on girls’ rights
11. Work with the Malawi government on preparedness initiatives that influence their social protection framework (such as safety nets) to benefit girls and young women, who are often the most at risk in crises
12. Design emergency response and recovery plans for Malawi area of operations and update regularly
13. Deploy as Emergency Response Manager for rapid onset emergencies and lead Emergency Response Teams as needed for initial stage of assessment and response
14. Monitor risk maps in-country and update/inform the country leadership team (CLT) of new trends.
15. Advise CLT on phase-in in new areas, where child rights are violated and girls are increasingly vulnerable.
16. Support leadership to develop Ready to Respond plans, and mainstream disaster risk management (DRM) into various procedures
17. Guide integration of relevant aspects of disaster prevention, preparedness, response and recovery in thematic country programmes to promote coherence
18. Build relations with all departments, ensure coordination with national DRM systems, and participate actively in inter-agency coordination spaces

19. Conduct rapid needs & gender assessments and provide technical information on emergencies

20. Networking and Resource Development

21. Document disaster preparedness, response and outcomes

22. Represent Plan International at international platforms, and with national and district representatives, highlighting key issues of concern impacting on children, youth, and in particular on girls
23. Engage with relevant humanitarian fora and clusters, ensuring appropriate information is provided on a timely basis
24. Maintain and develop in-country relations with institutional donors
25. Identify opportunities to establish strategic partnerships with other humanitarian agencies

26. Establish and maintain emergency/ disasters technical support contacts and networks including communications

27. Establish and implement standards of accountability and learning

28. Ensure high standards of effectiveness and efficiency are established and monitored

29. Ensure that budgets are spent according to approved plans
30. Ensure quality and transparent accountability towards affected populations, and support implementation and scaling up of Plan’s child-friendly feedback and complaints mechanism
31. Manage humanitarian intervention compliance with government, donors, and to Plan International Inc
32. Promote knowledge management activities
33. Ensure quarterly analysis of PMERL dashboards for the humanitarian portfolio to support leadership with timely decision making
34. Implement Data Quality Verification for the reports under the project portfolio
35. Support learning and research agenda under the humanitarian portfolio

36. Ensure that evaluations of projects are done regularly to improve programme planning

37. Coordinate capacity building

38. Conduct capacity building needs assessments for staff, partners, and volunteers

39. Facilitate capacity building interventions at programme area and community levels (e.g. gathering rapid gender assessment information, development and managing information systems)
40. Raise awareness of children’s rights/ protection within Plan and amongst partners and community members
41. Ensure that Plan staff and associates understand Plan’ Global and Country Strategy, policies and procedures in emergency in the context of Malawi
42. Ensure that Plan staff and associates understand the place and role of disaster risk reduction (DRR) in our programme work in assisting vulnerable children especially girls

43. Ensure effective plans to build the capacity of youths, CBO, CSOs, and government partners on DRR

44. Safeguarding Children & Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion

45. Ensure that Plan International’s global policies for safeguarding children and young people, and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policies 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

46. Promote Plan’s safeguarding & gender equality and inclusion policies and procedures in humanitarian work among partners, communities, and associates with whom Plan works
47. Identify key risks within your area of operation and put in appropriate control measures to manage them

48. Assist in mainstreaming and implementing gender equality activities in project/proposal design and in all programmes at all levels

49. Cross-cutting responsibilities

50. Partnership – Establish humanitarian actor partnerships in line with Plan’s Building Better Partnerships procedures and guidelines, and ensure implementation partner monitoring and capacity building

51. Security Management - strengthen own, team and partner security during crisis through:
    • effective situation and risk analysis and standard operating procedures
    • effective and appropriate security acceptance/ mitigation measures for field missions
    • Assess and develop team security management capacity for programming and in areas of limited access
    • Draw contingency plans for operational areas with risks, triggers and scenarios and monitor plans monthly; in collaboration with Security Focal Person & PAMs.
52. Minimum Standards – Ensure the rights of children, especially girls, and those most vulnerable are upheld during humanitarian interventions, and that international commitments and agreed principles, standards and codes are understood, promoted and complied with

Key relationships

Dealing with Problems:

The position involves a high degree of complexity in resolving a wide range of challenges which typically occur in humanitarian programmes. The post holder will demonstrate the ability to problem solve, thinking strategically while introducing innovations as needed to meet the demands of a dynamic and sometimes unpredictable operating environment.

Communications and Working Relationships:

To maximize overall program impact through the optimized contributions of others, the post holder will be required to initiate, develop and maintain a range of working relationships, including with government officials, donors, implementing partners and other humanitarian organisations.

Effective working relationships within Plan are also essential, including with National Offices, Global Hub, Regional Hub, other Country Offices, and with Program Area Managers, CLT members, and other staff in Plan International Malawi. The incumbent will interact with external stakeholders to ensure networking and creation of strategic alliances with government agencies and other organisations.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Educational Qualification and Experience

1. Advanced University degree humanitarian action, disaster risk reduction, management or other social sciences related areas
2. Over 6 years proven record of achievement in the humanitarian sector
3. Increasing responsibility in planning and managing programmes in disaster reduction, emergency response and post-disaster recovery
4. Extensive field experience in disaster environments and an in-depth knowledge of issues
5. Application of theoretical knowledge in the design, management and evaluation of complex, multi-disciplinary capacity building programmes involving national governments, civil society and international organisations
6. Demonstrated abilities and contributions to policy and guideline formulation, resource mobilisation, team building, and team leadership and management
7. Experience in establishing inter-organisational networks and partnerships at the operational level

Skills Specific to the Post

• Develops, motivates, coaches and manages teams
• Promotes high performance by all staff
• Promotes innovation and learning
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and multicultural environment
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong negotiation, facilitating and influencing skills
• Excellent networking and partnership skills

• Strong strategic independent thinker

• Financial management and budgeting skills

• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a part of a team
• Computer proficiency (MS Word, Excel)
• Strong planning and organisational skills

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

1. Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.

2. Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.

3. Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.

4. Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.

5. Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

1. Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.

2. Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.

3. Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or

crises.

4. Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

1. Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.

2. Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.

3. Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.

4. Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all

children.

We are inclusive and empowering

1. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.

2. We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace.

3. We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and change their own lives.

Physical Environment

Typically office environment with field visit demands

Level of contact with children

High: Frequent interaction with children

Location: Country Office, Lilongwe

Type of Role: Fixed Term

Reports to: Director - Programme Stategy, Girls Rights and Learning

Grade: Level 16

Closing Date: 19 January 2024

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

Qualified females are encouraged to apply!!

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.