SWEET Project Officer

The Organization
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.
Please see https://plan-international.org/organisation/strategy for Plan
international strategy
Plan started working in Egypt in ‎1981 and has a presence in ten of the ‎27
governorates in which the country is divided: two urban (Cairo and Alexandria)
and eight rural (Giza, Beheira, Kalyoubia, Damietta, Qena, Assuit, Sohag and
Aswan). Plan Egypt’s work focuses on child rights, implementing programmes
designed to enable communities to improve the lives of the most marginalised
children and their families. Plan Egypt’s Country Strategy focuses on five
strategic objectives listed below:
Improve the quality of early childhood care & education;
Promote economic empowerment of vulnerable young men & women;
Facilitate girls in realising their full potential in an enabling and gender
responsive environment that protects them from all forms of abuse, neglect,
exploitation and violence;
Support adolescents and young people, particularly girls to become active
drivers of change and lead the way towards more equitable and inclusive
societies;
Promote adolescents and young people, particularly girls to be empowered to
take informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and live
free from gender-based violence
Purpose:
SWEET (Strengthening Women Entrepreneurs in Egypt) project asserts that
targeted gender-specific action is critical to empower women and girls to
amplify their inherent individual and collective agency and create an enabling
social and economic environment for them. The SWEET project is a five- year-
project that will take a three-pronged, rights-based and gender-transformative
approach for women and adolescent girls in the carpet industry in the Giza
governorate of Egypt to: expand their knowledge and understanding of the
sector, improve their social status, provide them a range of industry-relevant
skills, and strengthen governance systems and business linkages to build a
supportive social environment and an enabling institutional environment for
women and adolescent girls.
The Project Officer will provide daily support to this project, working with
the project team of two partners, the project Manager and Plan Egypt staff
based in GC PU. Reporting to SWEET Project Manager, he/she will be closely
coordinating the project activities with the relevant government departments,
community-based implementing partners in Giza, in line with Plan Egypt’s
policies and procedures.
Dimensions of the Role:
Under the overall guidance and supervision of SWEET Project Manager, the
Project Officer is tasked with the overall programmatic supervision of the
project with one of the partners in Giza in terms of coordination and
implementation, provision of support to the monitoring and evaluation of the
project interventions.
Accountabilities and Typical Responsibilities - Key End Results of Position
Oversee the project implementation, provide overall leadership and liaison
with relevant government bodies representatives in Giza. Provide supervision,
technical support and guidance to the project staff of the collaborative
partner in Giza. He/she will also be responsible for facilitating the
development of project implementation plans and ensure effective coordination
and team work. Produce project progress reports on quarterly basis for Plan
international Egypt (PIE). And as needed per contractual commitments and
obligations as enshrined in the project Partnership Agreement, tracking and
monitoring activity progress, ensure activity implementation abides with the
set indicators, provide accurate and timely status reports and support the
project manager to develop the external donor reports. Facilitate regular
collaborative partner and other staff reflection and coordination meetings in
Giza and to ensure effective implementation of project activities in Giza as
per the set timelines and follow up on mechanism for implementation plan
review and modification to achieve the set objectives. Oversee the partner
budget, monitoring expenditures, generating funds forecasts, tracking partner
expenditures and maintaining all necessary information for the timely
development of financial reports. Ensure that Plan Egypt’s relevant policies
on gender, child protection, child and youth safeguarding, monitoring and
evaluation and team security management are embedded into the project
implementation plans.
Implement the project activities related to implementation of women’s economic
rights and strategies, engendering the economic development process and
entrepreneurship initiatives in Giza.
Ensure quality and timely implementation of the agreed activities with
government stakeholders and partners and provide the needed support to them.
Be on top of the project budget and issuing the partner advances and ensure
that budget expenditures are in accordance with the agreed plans. Ensure that
the budget planning and implementation of the relevant Project Outlines (POs)
are done with the maximum level of quality and in tandem with the project
objectives. Develop the project’s PO/s in SAP system, ensuring their alignment
with the projects’ approved budget and donor’s guidelines. Liaison with the
Finance Department to generate the required financial reports that inform the
Project Manager and other PIE team members on the progress of expenditure.
Collaborate with the Field Officers of other projects in the same thematic
area within Giza in developing synergies, fostering cross learning and sharing
knowledge resources. Supporting foster relationships with local level
government departments/officials and collaborating partners for efficient
project implementation. Gives immediate technical support to the partners
during implementation. Supervises the field activities implemented and
ensuring their accordance with Plan and the donor regulations and policies.
Issues partner advances and settlements with close follow-up on expenditure.
Ensures quality and timely implementation of the agreed activities with the
relevant stakeholders
Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and
Inclusion (GEI) Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under
Safeguarding and GEI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC),
ensuring that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the
appropriate procedures. Ensures that all staff in the unit/function/department
are properly inducted on and understands their role in upholding Plan
International’s safeguarding and GEI policies; Ensures that Plan
International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and
Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in day to day work. Ensures
that Plan Ethiopia contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to
ensure safeguarding and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and
data are submitted
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 develop their
potential. Accept change and support others in adjusting to it, helping them
understand. Perform any other related duties as assigned by immediate
supervisor
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES Understand relevant sectoral context
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 organizing, 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
Key Relationships:
Internal:
PU members including PUM, Areas Supervisor and field officers to coordinate on
major decisions related to project implementation
Regular contact with the project M&E; Coordinator to ensure M&E; actions are
carried on with the needed technical inputs.
Project Manager based at Cairo PU to coordinate the implementation and
monitoring of project activities in the respective locations.
External:
Partners and beneficiaries in Giza to assess progress and agree on the
appropriated mitigation strategies.
Government representatives at district and governorate level to share best
practices and to identify/implement opportunities for collaboration e.g.
influencing, sharing of learning scale up and replication.
Technical Expertise, Skills and Knowledge
University degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies or related
discipline,
Minimum ‎3 years of monitoring project activities with local partners at a
similar level preferably in an NGO environment is desirable.
Prior strong experience of working on women economic empowerment.
Good understanding and experience on women’s economic empowerment, enterprise
development, or employment creation for women and promoting gender in
governance and administration.
Experience in planning, budgeting, work plans development, , projects
implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation;
Experience in planning and facilitating training/workshops.
Fluent written and spoken English and Arabic language skills required.
Demonstrated report writing skills.
Experience in working with children and understanding their special needs.
Proven analytical skills in result-oriented task prioritization and problem
solving.
Capacity to take initiatives and work both independently and as part of a
team.
Strong communication, planning and organizational skills.
Excellent interpersonal communication skills and team work abilities.
Understanding of and commitment to the promotion of gender equality, child
protection and inclusion of the most vulnerable.
Ability to work under stress and pressure and to meet multiple deadlines and
targets.
Involves others in setting and achieving goals
Creates strong sense of ownership within one part of the business to different
stakeholders.
An open communicator and team player.
Knowledge and understanding of the local context and of interaction with local
development actors and communities.
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
Typical office environment with frequent field visits in the project locations
in Giza governorate.
Level of Contact with Children:
High level: Heavy Contact with children.
Location: Cairo Program Unit in Maadi.
Type of Role: One-year fixed term contract .
Reports to: SWEET Project Manager
Closing Date: 20th of Nov. ‎2022
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.
Job Type: Full-time