Regional Project Management Specialist At Plan International

Role Purpose

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

The purpose of this position, is to:

• Provide inputs to the preparedness and implementation of a new global ERP system (Y.O.D.A.) to manage, analyse and report on the progress of the project and results in an effective and consistent way.
• Support Countries to work in the Y.O.D.A. system during implementation and post implementation phase.
• Lead an ERP helpdesk and training program system to ensure sustainability in users capacity
• Lead regional initiatives at all stages of the project (idea, Design, planning, implementation, closing)

Dimensions of the Role

This position reports to the Regional Finance and Operation Manager.

The Project Management Specialist will lead specific projects across the region, provide technical inputs to relevant regional initiatives and strengthen project management capabilities aligned to Regional IT strategy. Initially, the role will focus on the rollout of the Y.O.D.A. ERP system.

Accountabilities

Outlined below are the key responsibilities for this position.

Support YODA and IT initiatives Project Management

• Support preparedness and implementation of the new Y.O.D.A. ERP system within Country Offices
• Lead regional initiatives at all stages of the project (Idea, Design, Planning, Implementation, Closing)
• Lead an ERP helpdesk system and a training program system to ensure sustainability in users capacity
• Deliver projects assessment
• Coordinate projects with teams and delegate tasks
• Monitor project implementation and reporting
• Keep project tracking and deadlines
• Implement PM tools for project management

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy 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.

Key relationships

• IT SSCs manager to coordinate project implementation
• Country Management Teams and Regional Management Team on progress, capacity development and status of project management
• Global Technical Leads and coordinators to ensure that projects are well planned integrated best project management practice with informed by appropriate technical
• Colleagues at the Global Hub with responsibilities to or dependent on good project management.
• Other organisations and forums externally, for coordination, collaboration, learning.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Essential

Knowledge

• Certified Project Manager preferably by PMI
• Strong knowledge in multiple methodologies for Project management (agile, scrum, critical chain pm, etc)
• Strong Knowledge in Project Management tools (Jira, Project, Asana, etc)
• Knowledge on SAP, Microsoft Dynamics 365 or similar
• Expert knowledge on project management in development work, across a wide range of technical areas.
• Significant experience and a strong understanding of processes, approaches, tools and methodologies that facilitate project management, and organisational learning, that is up to date with best practices in the sector.
• Strong understanding of the realities of NGO project management and limitations that impact project implementation, financial control, monitoring, reporting evaluation and learning.

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Able to develop appropriate guidelines, tools and templates for improved project management and implement them at scale.
• Able to develop regional guidance that is simple and practical for field colleagues to understand and use
• Able to analyse large amounts of data and generate powerful reports (Excel and Power BI) and information from them.
• Communicating complex technical project management concepts and terminology in simple language to non-experts. Writing in plain English and Spanish.
• Strong collaboration skills, able to build cooperation and negotiate compromises.
• Strong attention to detail
• Proven experience of using online technology for communication and learning
• Fluent in English and Spanish, French and Portuguese is a plus

Desirable

• Understanding of rights-based development programming, particularly in relation the major technical areas of Plan’s work.

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 to change their own lives.

Physical Environment

Regional travel, approximately 20-25%. Working at home in the city where be based.

Level of contact with children

Low contact: No contact or very low frequency of interaction