Head of program implementation (Egyptians only)

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 five rural (Giza, Cairo, Beheira, Kalyoubia, Damietta, Qena, Assuit and Sohag). 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:

The Head of Programmes Implementation (HoPI) position will report directly to the Country Director (CD) and will assume direct responsibility and accountability for the effective support and oversight of all ten Plan Egypt programme implementation offices. These offices include 5 Programme Units and 3 grants funded office in the governorates of Cairo, Beheira, Kalyoubia, Damietta, Qena, Assuit, Alexandria and Sohag and Luxor where PIE is implementing a project with a local partner. The HoPI will provide the strategic leadership to the implementation offices in line with Plan’s policies & procedures and the local laws. This will include, line management of PU managers, Officers in charge, relevant project managers & field-based operations and finance staff programme to quality and timely implementation of all projects. The HoPI will also undertake representation role with government counterparts at the governorate levels and other key stakeholders, as needed. The HoPI will be a leading member of the Country Leadership Team (CLT) and ensure smooth and quality execution of Plan’s business in the field, working collaboratively with other CLT members to strengthen program delivery. The role assists the CD in the development and regular updating of an appropriate emergency preparedness plan and ensure that disaster risk management is integrated in Plan International Egypt programs.

Dimensions of Role:

The post holder will report to the Country Director, and support the development of the new country strategy and oversees the implementation in line with the program quality and influencing approaching. She/ He should also ensure quality and strong implementation of Plan’s work in the field, effective and efficient use of organisational resources by field offices, adherence to all relevant Plan policies and procedures and the local laws by field offices under the guiding umbrella of the Plan Egypt new CS and the updated global strategy.
The HoPI will provide strategic, leadership, management and development of the Program Implementation team, in full compliance with local law and Plan policies and procedures.
The HoPI directly supervises Program Unit Managers, Officers in Charge, and other field bases staff members. S/he will provide leadership and management support to the ensure quality implementation of Plan’s projects in the field.
The HoPI will act as the senior representative for Plan International Egypt at governorate levels as well as assist the CD in other internal and external representation roles.
The HoPI will represent the programme implementation team in the Country Leadership Team and should be able to provide strategic inputs to the overall performance of Plan International in Egypt.

Typical Responsibilities – Key End Results

Strategic Planning & Implementation

Work closely with the relevant CO-Deps. to ensure that the development and implementation of the field offices budget are in tandem with the country approved budget and the relevant policies.
Lead and support the annual planning process for the field offices.
Ensure that all grant and sponsorship funded projects are implemented to a consistent high standard, on time and to approved budget.
Review departmental procedures and guidance identifying gaps and establishing benchmarks, to ensure effective program implementation, communication and monitoring and evaluation.
Contribute to Program department budgeting including forecasting and alignment with CO program priorities and resource envelop;
Oversee, review and ensure high quality and timely donor reporting;
Support field offices to develop and effectively implement joint action between county government and Plan Egypt field offices with a focus on implementation of county level system strengthening and/or advocacy and/or joint work planning;

Leadership role in Programme Implementation

Lead and coach the PUMs, Officers in Charge and other relevant project managers/departments within Program Implementation to achieve the targets of the annual plans.
Develop the appropriate work mechanisms ensuring that the relevant functions within the implementation units (finance, administration, programming, sponsorship) are working in tandem leading to the achievement of the planned objectives set out in the approved annual plans and Plan Egypt’s CS.
Team up with the program quality Manager at the CO to ensure quality implementation of the partnership framework at the field level.
Ensure sponsorship projects’ implementation is aligned with the Global and Country Strategy as well as with Sponsorship commitments;
Drives efficiency in project delivery, gender transformative programming and enhancing donor retention through timely relationship management;

Quality Program Design

Provide guidance and support to the field offices ensuring that Plan Egypt’s program quality framework is adhered to and prioritized while implementing the relevant interventions.
Ensure strong coordination with the CO programme design teams to ensure quality field inputs to major grant and SP funded projects.
Ensure that Plan Egypt’s relevant policies and in particular gender equality and child & youth safeguarding are embedded within programming and the PUs team is supported to report against their implementation
Ensure regular monitoring and periodic evaluations of major programme interventions to promote learning and improvement in all major areas of Plan’s strategic programming approach.
Ensure project delivery standards, that are aligned to Global standards are developed and aligned to Global standard;
Oversee all program activities to ensure continued alignment with the new Country Strategy.
Coordinate and prepare Plan Egypt’s reporting on the implementation of our annual program plans;
Oversee the country office’s quarterly reporting process, including driving improvements as agreed upon in close consultation with the Country Director, Country Management team and Program Unit Managers;
Provide stewardship in planning, follow-up, evaluation, quality strengthening and reporting;
Assure delivery of high quality, evidence based, innovative programs for children across all field offices;
Steward and engage in all program department’s best practice capture in order to ensure consistently excellent service delivery;
Coordinate with the relevant departments at all levels during programme/project implementation and monitoring to assure optimal quality in delivery;
Drive continuous improvements to assure effective utilisation of project resources and monitoring and evaluation;
Provide substantive support to Program Unit Managers to assure quality programming, including facilitation of targeted technical guidance where needed;
Establish a system to promote/document programme learning and development;
Enhance the capacity of implementing partners and stakeholders on programme management;
Conduct timely review of project reports and ensure quality programming and reporting;
Monitor key performance indicators and in partnership with other function areas, take deliberate steps to improve quality programming platforms to ensure standards are met;
Support the establishment of a Country office networked knowledge organisation by facilitating matrixed field to field exchange of knowledge and curating of CO best practices;
Travel regularly to program sites to ensure optimal support the Program Unit Managers and the field teams and to ensure project objectives are being met.

Networking and Advocacy

Chair the relevant networking and advocacy forums at the governorate/national levels to promote Plan Egypt’s values, principles and programmatic approach.
Build and foster relationships with local level government officials and partners to promote Plan Egypt’s direction, programs and activities.
Develop the appropriate actions to ensure that Plan Egypt’s partners at the governorate level are informed on and able to support Plan Egypt’s ambition of taking action so that girls could learn, lead, decide and thrive in their communities.
Contribute to the development and lead implementation of effective and evidence-based advocacy strategies that enable girls to Learn, Lead, Decide and Thrive;
Contribute to the creation and adapt initiatives that effectively influence duty bearers, key stakeholders and decision makers to promote and ensure rights of girls;
Contribute to the development of high-quality publications, media messaging and all internal/external communications that support Plan’s advocacy and influencing work.
Support integration between communications and advocacy teams to effectively deliver programmes.

People management

Develop the necessary strategies and take the appropriate measures ensuring that staff based outside CO are motivated and supported to contribute to the overall goal of the organization through possessing the right attitudes and the adequate levels of skills & knowledge.
Coach and mentor direct reports in the team, by setting individual objectives and providing feedback of performance versus objectives to maximize levels of individual performance and team performance.
Provide overall vision and direction to the programmes team in coordination, planning, prioritization, coaching and supervision;
Support staff to understand and comply with the organizational vision, mission, strategic direction and other organization policies;
Ensure development and humanitarian programmes team are operating as high-performance teams and have clear accountability lines (direct and matrix);
Socialize and nurture Plan Values and Behaviours;
Create an enabling working environment across different department units to foster excellent teamwork and high performing staff;
Create a safe working place;
Oversee the delivery of effective capacity building support in key areas of programme management, finance management, logistics management and human resources management
Establish, communicate and monitor standards of performance and behaviours of the team through development of Individual Accountability Plans (IAP), and key performance indicators (KPI’s) that are agreed annually, and monitored and updated regularly;
Support team members to gain the necessary skills through learning and development
Lead the team in line with the Country HR Manual and other policies and guidelines;
Conduct performance management processes of direct and functional reports
Model our value-based leadership framework underpinned by our feminist leadership principles.

Financial Responsibility

Work with the finance team to ensure that project budget enables delivery as designed;
Monitor project performance and budget utilization and advise on corrective measures;
Oversee the coordination in the budget, preparation, consolidation, analysis and timely submission’;
Ensure the timely implementation of grants and sponsorship budgets. The creation of POs and closing of grants in SAP is done expeditiously;
Ensure that all grants/sponsorship projects have opening/launch, regular grants and projects monitoring and closeout workshops/meetings;
Ensure that all project expenditures are on time and according to the budget (within permissible variance limits) and to oversee and guide any budget reforecasting and reallocation exercises that are required.

Risk Management

Coordinate and support programme quality and delivery on programme audit, child protection audit, and gender strategy review exercise and adequate application of management response across all impact areas.

Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI)

Understand and put 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;
Ensure that Programme implementation staff at the country office and in the field are properly inducted on and understands their role in upholding Plan International’s safeguarding and GEI policies;
Ensure that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in project design, during implementation and as principles applied in day-to-day work of Programme team;
Ensure that Plan Egypt contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to ensure safeguarding and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted.

Other

Actively participate in the CLT in an open, cooperative and proactive manner, ensuring full engagement of the PUs with other organizational initiatives led by other departments and teams, in order to enable a strong and productive Plan Egypt team.
Within the scope of the role, there will be additional assignments as needed.

Dealing with Problems:

Application of knowledge required for the role, complexity of problems handled & the degree of investigation, analysis, & creative thinking required to solve them.

The post holder will demonstrate an ability to solve problems, thinking strategically while introducing innovations and creativity as needed. This is to meet the demands of a dynamic, challenging and sometimes unpredictable operating environment.
The post holder is expected to play a key role in optimizing Program performance and enabling high performing teams at country office and Program Area levels.
The position involves a high degree of complexity in resolving a wide range of challenges due to management of different units within the department, encompassing a range of management lines, geographical locations, a large and diverse workforce, and a range of contractual obligations, including grant specific deliverables.

The role will be tasked with strengthening quality, accountability, planning, management, adherence to policies and procedures, and promoting a culture that aims for the consistent delivery of results and make positive impact to children, in particular for girls and their communities.

Communications and Working Relationships:

Working contacts inside and outside the organization; include the purpose and level (high, medium, low) of the contact

Internal:

Maintain effective internal working relationships within Plan including with National, Regional and Country Offices, and with other Regional Managers/ advisors, CMT, e-CMT members and staff in Egypt.
Functions includes working with all departments – Programs & sponsorship, finance, HR, IT and operations to ensure that program work is delivered timely with high quality
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 at CO and Program Area level that will include government counterparts, donors, implementing partners and other development organizations.
Line Managers – High level of Communication to report, sharing views to strengthen the program areas and to ensure continues support for the program.
Regular communication with CLT to share work progress and updates and technical follow up.

External:

The post holder will be required to maintain range on relationship externally with Partners at Egypt state or governorate levels: Program Directors at other INGOs and Government representatives to share best practices and to identify/ implement opportunities for collaboration e.g. advocacy, research, etc.

Partners – Medium Level of communication to share and understand progress of the program.

Leadership Competencies

Courageous, taking a lead, challenging myself and others to achieve purpose, safeguard others and role model values, inside and outside work. Responsible for my work and learning, striving to improve. Self-aware, resilient and constructive in embracing change. Striving to achieve significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, and to secure equality for girls. Challenging myself to be bold, courageous, responsive, focused and innovative.
Creating a climate of trust inside and outside the organisation by being open, honest and transparent. Holding myself and others to account for decisions and impact on others. Doing what I say I will do. Working effectively with others, inside and outside the organisation, including sponsors and donors. Actively supporting colleagues, helping them to achieve their goals. Coming together with others to create and implement solutions in teams, across Plan International, with children, girls, young people, communities and our partners.
Respecting all people, appreciating differences and challenging inequality in programmes and the workplace. Supporting children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives. Empowering other staff to give their best and develop their potential.
Understanding Plan International’s purpose, priorities, values and approaches in our work context. Adhering to relevant policies, processes, practices and standards, and being pro-active in continuing technical and professional development

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES

Articulates the purpose, values, and global strategy to a range of audiences. Can explain how Plan International will deliver on its objectives through the theory of change and communicates the implications for their team.
Understands the purpose, lines of accountability and decision-making capacity for each structural element of the organisation. Helps their team to understand where they sit within the organisational structure.
Considerate of the political, economic, social and cultural climate of the local operating environment and the implications for our work and are aware of the local business environment, including financial, employment, and business laws.
Advanced knowledge of programmes according to Plan International’s financial management procedures, including: the grant agreement process, the cost recovery process, forecasting, cost allocation principles, apportioned costs and scheduling and monitoring of expenditure, reports against programmes and budgets in line with the Funding and Sponsorship Agreement Document (FAD) and (SPAD).
Understands digital enablers to improve team performance and working practices. Encourages digital behaviours through role modelling, the personal development processes and capability building. Uses digital and technological tools to support the management of risk, activities and resources, and people and information.

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

Knowledge

A degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies or related discipline, master degree is appreciated.
A minimum of 7 years of experience in development field, 3-5 years in managerial experience at a similar level preferably in an NGO environment
In-depth and strategic understanding of integrated development issues and critical analysis of child poverty
High level of Knowledge of strategic planning processes and theories of child-rights programming
Demonstrated understating of and commitment to children’s issues in Africa and the Middle East.
Proven understanding of “gender in development” concepts and the promotion of girls’ rights in the context of relevant International Conventions (Convention of the Rights of the Child, Convention for the Eradication of Discrimination against Women) and the Global Goals (SDGs).
Knowledge of Egypt, the geopolitical factors affecting child-poverty in the country and the political, social and environmental opportunities for change is an advantage

Skills

Proven skills in the development and management of effective and motivated teams
Effective working with and through partners.
Strong background in program development and projects management.
Strong planning and organizational skills
Strong strategic thinking and interpersonal skills
Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken; second language is preferable.

Behaviours (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
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.

Physical Environment

Based in a typical office environment whilst in the Country Office;
Where required, periodic travel to program units and on occasion regional travel may be needed; estimated at 40%

Level of Contact with Children:

Medium level: Occasional interaction with children

Location: Plan International Egypt Country Office, Maadi

Type of Role: One-year Fixed term contract

Reports to: Country Director

Grade: F

Closing Date: 5th of August 2021

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply

Please note that only applications and CVs written in English will be accepted.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Child Protection Policy.

As an international child centered community development organization, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realization of children’s rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.

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 organization, do everything we can to keep children safe. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

Plan International operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all areas of the international community.

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.