Project Manager - Break Free Project at Plan International

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Project Manager will be responsible for the successful initiation, planning, design, execution, reporting, management of the budget, monitoring and evaluation for the Kenya Break Free Project. The incumbent will be responsible for establishment of relationships with key stakeholders at National and County level. The role will ensure that all the project activities and outcomes are aligned to realizing Plan International Country Strategy. The role will entail coordination of all Plan Kenya project teams and alliance partners to ensure synergy and integration of project interventions in other Break Free Project Sites and the organisation as a whole. The role will require to strengthen safeguarding of children in the target counties and ensuring the project remains gender transformative. 

The role takes leadership to ensure adolescents exercise their right to live free from TP, CM and FGM/C in target Counties. This will be achieved through working in collaboration with existing community structures and amplifying the voices of adolescent girls. 
 
MANAGEMENT SCOPE, REPORTING LINES, KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports to: Programme Unit Manager – Urban PU
•  Direct reports – PC Tana River, PO Tharaka, PO Kajiado, Driver Kajiado 

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN

• Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children 

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

• The position is based in Kajiado /Urban PU and will require periodic travel to target counties.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND MAIN WORK ACTIVITIES

• Programme Implementation, Project Design and Influence (20%) 
• Enhance realization of children and girls’ rights through design and implementation of gender transformative project interventions.
• Lead start-up meetings of the Project to guarantee a joint understanding among stake holders on project objective and expectations.
• Promote the realization of set targets and quality outcomes.
• Enhance gender mainstreaming in the project cycle
• Enhance community participation in the project planning, implementation and monitoring
• Ensure mobilization and inclusion of children and vulnerable groups in the project
• Coordinate development of monthly activities and budget plans to be implemented as per approved work plan and that all activities are on track with appropriate scheduling, quality and timelines
• Build relationship with relevant staff to ensure all logistics and procurement processes are in conformity with Plan policies, procedures and standards

Networking and Collaboration (15%) 

• Lead relationships and represent the organization in project strategic networks, technical meetings and establish and maintain strong networks and partnerships at sub-county and county levels 
• Promote active engagement and participation of communities in Project activities. 
• Maintain a high level of external communication/contact at the community, County levels, Project Stakeholders. 
• Promote sensitization of stakeholders and partners on Plan’s policies, strategies, procedures, values and behaviours.  
• Coordinate with other NGOs, local and private sector players working within the operational areas to expand opportunities for partnerships. 
• Engage and influence key duty bearers towards realization of children rights in project communities. 
• Facilitate access to relevant and accurate information on the project to stakeholders including the government officers, parents, and children.
• Identification, engagement and capacity development of partners to support project implementation.

Quality Improvement and Standards (20%) 

• Ensure timely and effective implementation of programs according to approved project outlines and approved monthly activity and budget plans.
• Monitor the progress of project implementation and undertake corrective actions.
• Promote evidence-based programming through data gathering and dissemination. 
• With support of M&E, enhance learning and knowledge management through documentation and profiling of Plan’s work.
• With support of M&E, maintain a beneficiary tracking system in line with monthly and quarterly reporting tools.
• Develop quality and timely reports in accordance with donor guidelines and procedures. This includes (monthly and quarterly) in line with the laid down requirements and Plan standards
• Contribute to documentation and sharing of best practices with all stakeholders for learning and sustainability beyond the project phase.

Financial Management (15%)

• Develop and regularly update annual and quarterly project implementation plans and budgets. 
• Monitor expenditures to promote prudent budget management and adherence to approved budget. 
• Promote compliance with relevant donor policies, contracts, and agreements.

Performance Management (10%)

• Mentorship and coaching of staff 
• Coordinate learning and development for staff 
• Ensure timely and up to date performance records of staff 

Risk Management (10%) 

• Identify and manage project risks 
• Promote compliance with Plan Kenya and donor requirements and regulations in project implementation
• Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) (5%)
• 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.
• Leads the orientation of programme staff to ensure that they 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 project design, during implementation and as principles applied in day-to-day work of Programme team; 
• Ensures that Plan Kenya contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to ensure safeguarding and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted.  

Other Duties (5%)

• As assigned by the Line Manager

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;
• Understand and adhere to the policies, processes, practices and standards relevant to own work and keeps their knowledge and skills up to date;
• Collaborating with team members, colleagues and partners in finding creative solutions to problems by sharing information, experience and ideas and actively seeking their input.
• 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;
• Achieves desired outcomes and finds innovative solutions by using the expertise and creativity of others and adopting a coaching approach with the people they manage or advise;
• Creates space for reflection and uses external evidence and internal evaluation to identify what and how we need to improve and then to support others through change;
• 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

• Manages 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
• Managing activities and resources including skills in strategic thinking, planning and organising, financial planning and monitoring, negotiation and programme and project management
• Managing 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
• Managing resources and delivery: -Knows the resources required for their role. Manages their own workload, avoiding under or overcommitting to delivery activities; -Works according to a budget and uses the relevant financial systems.; -Works according to principles of data protection; -Understands how information is used for reporting and decisions making; - Seeks to continually improve personal working practices.
• Programme and project management: -Aware of the programmes that Plan International delivers directly and through partner organisations. -Aware of the programme and project management procedures relevant to their role.; -Complies with financial procedures and controls relevant to their role; -Seeks opportunities to reflect on and learn from all work. 
• Digital working: Identifies ways to use digital to improve the effectiveness of work activities. Understands how digital enablers can contribute to achieving Plan International’s purpose.  Utilises the digital tools available in line with privacy and safeguarding guidelines.
• Evidence-based management: Understands the importance of high-quality data and the implications of poor data.  Understands what data Plan International needs to inform decision-making. Interprets a range of sources to inform evidence-based decisions relevant to their role.

 
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications/ experience essential: 

• Bachelor’s degree Social Sciences - Community Development, Project Management, Social Work or any other relevant field. 
• At least 5 Years’ relevant experience and understanding of the community.
• A demonstrated experience and understanding of developing, managing and implementing SRHR projects.
• Conversant with child rights issues and child participatory methodologies. 
• Knowledge and experience of working with children, youths and women groups
• Strong Knowledge and experience of community development and participatory methodologies
• At least 3 years’ experience in project management/coordination. 
• Government stakeholder engagement 
• Sound understanding of integrated development issues and rights - based programming.
• Hold personal values, ethics and attitudes which are in alignment with the principles of the Plan’s Safeguarding of Children and Young Persons Policy.
• Willingness to sign and adhere to the Plan Safeguarding children and young people policy

Qualifications/ experience desirable: 

• Analytical and report writing skills
• Good Interpersonal / Communication skills and team working
• Strategic planning skills
• Results oriented
• Relevant computer skills
• Budget and Cost Control
• Risk management
• Monitoring and Evaluation skills
• Skills in managing project implementation and monitoring is critical 
• Community facilitation, networking, partnership development and management skills 
• Good communication, negotiation and advocacy skills 
• Conflict Management 
• Master’s Degree