Inclusive Employability Project Manager at Plan International

Role Purpose

Innovation to Inclusion (i2i) is a new project funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) under Aid Connect UK to ensure people with disabilities are engaged in waged employment, particularly in the private sector. i2i is a 44-month project (including an 8-month co-creation period) focused on Kenya and Bangladesh, with a third country potentially to be introduced during project implementation.  The project is implemented by a consortium led by Leonard Cheshire together with a diverse and complimentary group of northern and southern actors.

As a leading organisation for gender equality and inclusion, Plan International works with the consortium members to ensure that the i2i project and its interventions address the specific vulnerabilities, risks and barriers to access facing women with disabilities.  In Kenya, Plan International will also deliver a gender-transformative pilot project to support 100 women with disabilities to access waged private sector employment.

Dimensions of the Role

Based in Nairobi and reporting to the Area Manager, Nairobi, the main purpose of the Project Manager is to oversee the implementation of Plan International Kenya’s deliverables under the i2i project, linking closely with the Plan International Kenya Gender Coordinator, other colleagues within the Country Office and in Plan International UK, as well as i2i consortium partners in Kenya. 

The incumbent should have good understanding of the interface between innovation and inclusion programming and should be familiar with working with the private sector especially within the areas of business, economic empowerment, partnerships with government, and civil society. Experience working with Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs) on social and economic inclusion – particularly of women with disabilities - will be an added advantage.  Additionally, s/he will be familiar with managing large donor projects and ensuring compliance with donor guidelines and regulations.   The position holder must be willing to adhere to Plan International’s values and sign – and abide by the principles of - the organisation’s policy on safeguarding children and young people.

Accountabilities

• Implementation of project deliverables: Technical quality assurance to project development and implementation
  • Realize implementation phase deliverables:
  • Support development of Plan International Kenya Pilot project design on employment inclusion of women with disabilities;
  • Support the development and execution of gender analysis for the i2i consortium;
  • Support the development of i2i consortium gender mainstreaming strategy;
  • In collaboration with the project Gender Coordinator, provide technical gender support to consortium partners, private companies and TVETs;
  • Coordinate the realization of i2i project monitoring and evaluation deliverables; including the project baseline and end term evaluation of the project;
  • Contribute to the development of a learning paper on what works well in employment inclusion of women with disabilities;
  • Lead the technical support on employment inclusion for person with disabilities in the i2i consortia;
• Lead Plan International Kenya’s engagement in the scaling up of the i2i project to a third country
• Monitoring and evaluation, accountability and learning:
  • Ensure robust monitoring of project activities, outputs and outcomes as per the project Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning framework;
  • Support the development and roll out of inclusive, gender-sensitive beneficiary feedback mechanisms;
  • Regularly monitor project risks and ensure action is taken to mitigate negative impacts
  • Suggest and oversee implementation of course corrections to strengthen programme quality, as necessary
  • Identify and document learning on gender mainstreaming emerging from the consortium’s work in Kenya order to inform and strengthen programming, and for sharing across the sector
• Project management:    
  • Represent Plan International Kenya in monthly consortium coordination meetings and in engagements with external stakeholders on the project;  
  • Draft timely project narrative and financial reports;
  • Report monitoring data to the consortium’s online M&E system on a quarterly basis;
  • Provide regular updates to Plan International Kenya senior management on project implementation, progress on activities, risks, etc.;
  • Ensure compliance with Plan International Kenya and donor policies, requirements and regulations;
  • Ensure smooth/efficient project performance and effective management of and communication with project team, other internal and external contacts.
• Management of project resources:
  • Line manage the Gender Coordinator in line with Plan International Kenya HR policies and practices;
  • Liaise with HR to ensure project staff are in place to deliver project activities;
  • Monitor expenditure to ensure spending is as per the approved project budget;
  • Review expenditure reports on a monthly basis and make adjustments as necessary (including through re-forecasting exercises)

Expertise, skills and knowledge

• Relevant master’s degree in economics, gender, social sciences or international development
• At least 5 years’ experience in project/programme development and/or management in the context of economic empowerment projects/programmes
• Strong understanding of innovation in development and experience of designing and/or implementing innovative approaches
• Experience of working collaboratively with a variety of organisations (private sector, academia and NGOs), ideally including within consortia projects
• Excellent English-language verbal and written communication skills
• Experience in financial, budget and administrative management or related issues
• Understanding of and/or experience of disability-inclusive programming desirable

Skills Specific to the Post

• Strong organisation skills
• Solid writing and reporting writing skills (in English)
• Good Interpersonal / Communication skills
• Results-orientated
• Good leadership skills
   

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

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

• 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

The position will be based in Nairobi with some travel to Mombasa and Kisumu.

Level of contact with children

Low level: Little interaction with children. The candidate must be willing to abide by and sign Plan’s policy on Safeguarding Children and Young People.

Location: Nairobi

Type of Role: Programme Management

Reports to: Area Manager - CEN