Employment Opportunities

Organization Background

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian non-governmental organization 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 its 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 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Working in Zambia since 1996, Plan International Zambia’s development and humanitarian programmes focus primarily on Inclusive Quality Education, Skills and Opportunities for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, Early Childhood Development and Gender Responsive Child Protection. Child protection is key in all that we do. Plan International Zambia has Programme Areas (PAs) in; Central, Luapula, and Eastern Provinces including in Lusaka, where the Country Office is located.

Plan International Zambia is recruiting qualified and experienced individuals to fill the following positions:

1. HEAD OF PROGRAMS – (X1) LUSAKA

Position Description:

The Head of Programs (HoP) will provide strategic program planning, design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation in line with the Programme Quality and Influencing Approach. The HoP will be responsible for leading, managing, and supporting all Programme, Monitoring and Evaluation to ensure the delivery of quality and integrated programming in line with the Country Strategy (CS), as well as organizational standards, frameworks, and procedures. The HoP will also provide external representation and recognition of Plan International Zambia with various stakeholders for collaborative working relationships to position Plan International Zambia as a global leader in achievement of girls’ rights.

The incumbent will be reporting to the Country Director.

Responsibilities:

• Provide overall strategic oversight in the delivery of the Country Strategy through contribution to the design and management of development and humanitarian programmes that are gender transformative.
• Facilitate engagement of other managers and staff regarding the Country Strategy to ensure maximum understanding and operationalisation of the Country Programmes.
• Lead the overall development and evolution of the Country development and humanitarian programmes within the overarching Country Strategy and their subsequent operationalisation.
• Build and oversee managerial accountability with attention to overall development programme design, planning, programme delivery, monitoring, evaluations and research at the programme units.
• Support staff to understand and comply with the organizational vision, mission, strategic direction and other organization policies.
• The role assists the Country Director (CD) in the development and regular updating of an appropriate emergency preparedness plan and ensure that disaster risk management is integrated in Plan International Zambia programs. The role is expected to participate in various Development/Humanitarian Networks in Zambia including peer organizations, UN and other local, regional and international fora.
• Lead in engaging key networks, movements and alliances relevant to the girls’ empowerment and gender equality.
• Provide strategic roadmap for the development and implementation of partnerships management standards and guidelines.
• Lead in the development and provide oversight in the development of standards and guidelines for partnership management are regulated updated, understood, adhered and reflected in practice.
• Contribute for development and implementation of effective and evidence-based advocacy strategies that enable girls to Learn, Lead, Decide and Thrive.
• Create/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.
• Ensure integration between communications and advocacy teams to effectively deliver programmes.
• Ensure the quality of development programme is in line with plan international global quality standards, Country Strategy, sustainable development goal and government sectoral plan.
• Coordinate with the relevant departments at all levels during programme design, implementation and monitoring.
• Provide overall vision and direction to the development programmes team in coordination, planning, prioritization, coaching and supervision.
• 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.
• Monitor programme performance and budget utilization and advise on corrective measures.
• Oversees the coordination in the budget, preparation, consolidation, analysis and timely submission.
• Build relationships with Plan International National Offices (NOs) and donors for sharing and learning to highlight impactful projects for scale up and expansion.
• 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.
• Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and Gender Equality and Inclusion (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 Programme staff are properly inducted on and understands their role in upholding Plan International’s safeguarding and GEI policies;

Educational Qualifications and Experience:

• A Master’s Degree in Development Studies, Social Work, Social Sciences, International Relations or similar field.
• 10 years of relevant experience in INGO Sector or demonstrated equivalent combination.
• At least 7 years’ experience in managing development programme in the country within the INGO sector.
• Proven experiences and ability to coordinate and collaborate with different civil society and Community based organization.
• Demonstrable working experience in development programme.
• Knowledge of developmental agendas in complex and protracted development and humanitarian landscape.
• Experience in context, funding and market analysis.

Competencies:

• In-depth knowledge of gender and inclusion and global/local development issues, with knowledge in girls’ rights and child rights, feminist movements, the key actors and institutions, and the power dynamics involved.
• Mastery of key gender inequalities, gaps, barriers and opportunities at the national, regional and global level and gender and inclusion in programs, and especially for children and girls.
• In-depth understanding of the policies, processes, institutions and organizations that shape the development and humanitarian context and standards within Zambia
• Ability to lead programme managers and staff to design and implement evidence-based solutions for gender transformative programmes, and to provide monitoring and quality assurance support to the programme areas.
• Ability to apply a range of gender and inclusion analysis tools and conduct high-quality and nuanced gender and inclusion analysis from a child rights perspective.
• Ability to influence power holders about the need for and benefits of addressing gender equality and inclusion, including being able to offer a range of evidence-based solutions.
• Engages sensitively with community members on issues of gender equality and inclusion, demonstrating an understanding of the local culture and context.
• Promotes equality, including gender equality, inclusion and girls’ empowerment in Plan’s work and in its work with partners

2. GENDER SENSITIVE CHILD PROTECTION THEMATIC LEAD – (X1) LUSAKA

Position Description:

The purpose of Gender Sensitive Child Protection – Technical Lead (GSCP) is to provide strategic leadership and technical expertise in the promotion of gender sensitive child protection in Plan International Zambia (PIZ); develop, implement, manage, monitor and evaluate GSCP programmes; and build capacity and network to ensure integration and synergies between the Child protection program and other thematic country programs, proactive external engagement, including resources mobilization, networking and collaboration for policy engagement, and learning and knowledge management within the broader organization.

The incumbent will be reporting to the Head of Programs.

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and strategy in influencing, lobbying and advocating on child rights issues at national and regional level.
• Contribute in the implementation of the Country Strategy (CS) through formulating country specific policies, strategies and goals on child rights, protection and safeguarding for quality programming that embed our gender transformative programming.
• Support the development and review of country strategy and thematic programme plans that reflect rights-based approach to programming and demonstrate good practice in child participation and child safeguarding.
• Contribute towards child rights program strategies in the development of the CS ensuring children’s contributions and issues form the basis of Plan programs.
• Undertake in-depth Child Rights, Protection and Safeguarding power and policy analysis of the structures, systems and networks in Zambia to identify opportunities for changes in law, policy, budget and behaviour at the national level that will drive the achievement of the CS.
• Liaise with and communicate with government bodies, donors, other Plan offices and local and international agencies stakeholders – as required and directed by the Head of Programs.
• Provide technical support in the implementation of program interventions.
• Ensure the effective engagements and influencing on child protection issues.
• Enable the sharing of lessons, programme models, good practices, etc. within the country and wider organisation for organisational learning.
• Ensure early and rigorous implementation of quality and accountability mechanisms, as well as feedback from the relevant stakeholders is considered throughout all phases of Plan’s CR project design and implementation activities.
• Ensure that Plan International Zambia is providing quality and timely child rights status reports to donors, National Offices and the Global/Regional Hub.
• Oversee and manage both internal and external reporting for the child rights programming
• Represent and advocate for Plan with regional and international agencies, donors, Zambia, Government, NGOs and others as required.
• Analyse and provide feedback on programme implementation to ensure gender equity for both the girl and boy child.
• Coordinate compilation of quarterly reports on child related offences from Plan’s areas of operation and provide guidance and support to mitigate such abuses.
• Contribution to thematic capacity statements on Gender Sensitive Child protection.
• Where necessary provide technical training for project staff and partners as required (child rights programming and the role of duty bearers, investment in children, etc.).
• 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.
• Where necessary provide technical training for project staff and partners as required (child rights programming and the role of duty bearers, investment in children, etc.).

Educational Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Child Psychology, Social Sciences, Sociology, Social Work or relevant equivalent qualification.
• A minimum of 5 years work related experience in similar settings.
• Experience in working with local communities and networking with local implementing partners, and private sectors.
• Good understanding of policies, strategies, programs and priorities related to youth programmes and activities.
• Able to mobilise communities, confidence in talking to people both in groups and on a one-to-one basis and excellent listening skills.
• Understanding child safeguarding and equality for girls, and demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity.
• Good time management skills; able to prioritise tasks and to meet deadlines.

Competencies:

• Familiarity with gender inclusion issues and sensitive to political and socio-economic environment.
• Gender based violence: Violence (including sexual violence), neglect, abuse and exploitation on grounds of gender identity and discrimination; strategies to prevent and respond to protection issues arising from gender inequalities and gender discriminatory practices.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, including ability to find, absorb, analyse and prioritise information from many different sources.
• Ability to work under pressure, to tight deadlines, with competing priorities and minimal supervision.
• Flexibility and adaptability.

3. SPONSORSHIP ASSISTANT (X1) – EASTERN PROGRAM AREA

Position Description:

The purpose of Sponsorship Assistant is to assist in planning, implementing, coordinating, monitoring and evaluation of child sponsorship programmes; undertake child sponsorship communication activities; and activities for mobilizing resources for child sponsorship programmes.

The incumbent will be reporting to the Sponsorship Coordinator.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure that all sponsorship communications are verified for quality purposes.
• Ensure that all sponsored children’s cancellations are verified in the field and validated.
• Ensure sponsored children records and other related documents are properly stored, managed and information access is as per data management policy.
• Maintain a zero backlog in sponsorship communication production by ensuring that all communications are cleared within the required period.
• Carry out weekly corporate system back-ups for safety of sponsorship communication information.
• Validation of 100% completed SCI/SCU updates for quality assurance.
• Data entry of sponsorship annual updates (SCU/SCIs) as per production schedule.
• Carry out weekly corporate system back-ups for safety of sponsorship communication information.
• Validation of 100% completed SCI/SCU updates for quality assurance.
• Data entry of sponsorship annual updates (SCU/SCIs) as per production schedule.
• Facilitate training workshops for children, volunteers and community-based organisations on community managed sponsorship communications.
• Establish and develop the capacities of community-based organisation in the management of sponsorship communications at community level.
• Ensure community-based organisations are actively involved in the community managed sponsorship processes.
• Promote children’s participation in the development of sponsorship communications and area documents.
• Participate in the planning, monitoring and evaluation of child sponsorship communications and area documents at PA level.
• Track SCs/families’ participation and benefits in Plan programs in line with the sponsorship commitments.
• Promote the integration of sponsorship with other sectors.
• Establish partnerships with various stakeholders to increase local resource mobilization and long-term sustainability.
• Document achievements and best practices in sponsorship for internal and external circulation.
• Demonstrate commitment to Plan’s child protection policy through implementing the policy fully, and report any actual or potential risk situations following the reporting procedures, being aware of abuse and risks to children, being vigilant, becoming familiar with the Child Protection Policy.
• Raise children’s rights/protection awareness within Plan and amongst partners and community members.
• Ensure that all contracts entered by suppliers adhere to the child protection issues.
• 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.

Educational Qualifications and Experience:

• Diploma in IT, Social Sciences, Social Work, Education or related discipline
• A minimum of 2 years works related experience in similar role
• Facilitation skills.
• Qualifications or experience in data management.

Competencies:

• Customer care attitude in teams that models and promotes efficient services.
• Familiarity with gender and financial inclusion issues and promotes the development of effective systems and policies
• Supporting colleagues and partners to embed gender and inclusion in all programme and influence activities including resource mobilisation and policy positions.
• Good analytical and critical thinking skills, including ability to find, absorb, analyse and prioritise information from many different sources,
• Plan work, anticipate risks, and set goals within area of responsibility
• Team player with problem solving skills
• Excellent communication skills

4. DISTRICT NUTRITION SUPPORT GROUP (NSG) COORDINATOR (X1) – LUSAKA

Position Description:

The primary responsibility of the District Nutrition Support Group (NSG) Coordinator is to coordinate NSG activities in the district. S/he is responsible to provide technical support and supervision to the Sub-district NSG Supervisors in the implementation of multi-sectoral Social Behavior Change (SBC) activities, in particular health and nutrition activities using the NSG Model. S/he will oversee the conducting of NSG trainings and rolling out of the NSG Model and provide oversight in the supervision and monitoring activities related to the Model at district level. In addition, District NSG-Coordinator will also support NSG Sub-district Supervisors to create key linkages between NSG beneficiaries across sectors in the district.

The incumbent will be reporting to the Scaling Up Nutrition II (SUNII) – National Project Manager.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinates with program partners, staff, and other stakeholders regarding NSG upcoming activities at district level.
• Collect and analyse data from the Sub-district NSG Supervisors and report monthly and timely to the National Project Manager/Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer.
• Maintain an organised filing system for both soft and hard copies of NSG program reports so that they are easily accessible.
• Manage the project’s NSG performance monitoring plan and ensure the project reaches its targets.
• Oversee the documentation of best practices, lessons learned including success stories for publication.
• Supervise and mentor sub-district NSG Supervisors at least twice a month to ensure the delivery of high-quality services.
• Establish the need for and support the acquisition and distribution of Social Behaviour Change (SBC) materials and tools and other logistics for the NSG program at district level.
• Provide oversight to the NSG program components including undertaking field visits to monitor activity implementation and provide on-site feedback on required improvements, and generate field visit reports with timely and appropriate follow up on action points.
• Build the capacity of Project staff, partners and their frontline workers in NSG, including organizing NSG training programs and providing regular technical guidance.
• Under the supervision of the National Project Manager, liaise and maintain relationships with Sectors/Partners at district level with whom the Plan International has joint ambition/plans on Scaling Up Nutrition (SUNII).
• Represent Plan International at NSG/SUNII related meetings such as District Nutrition Coordinating Committee Meetings (DNCC) and other meetings relevant to health at district level.
• Ensure timely, quality delivery on assigned activities, including management of workplans and budgets related to NSG activities.
• Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and Gender Equality and Inclusions (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 Programme staff are properly inducted on and understands their role in upholding Plan International’s safeguarding and GEI policies;

Educational Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Public Health, or a relevant field of study as well as equivalent experience in public health and Nutrition.
• Master’s degree in applied Nutrition, Public Health or related fields is a plus.
• 4 – 5 years of work experience in a similar position, in an INGO/NGO environment
• Training in Nutrition Support Group (NSG) is highly desired.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a multi-faceted health program in collaboration with district MOH personnel as well as other key partners.
• Strong analytical, facilitation skills and coordination.
• Ability to transfer knowledge through trainings.

Competencies:

• Demonstrate understanding in the operational of Nutrition Support Group Model.
• Demonstrate how the Nutrition Support Group inter link with other community interventions.
• Demonstrate why Scaling up Nutrition focuses on children who are under 2 years of age.
•  Measuring and monitoring the nutritional situation
• Ability to work under pressure, to tight deadlines, with competing priorities and minimal supervision
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Leadership skills to motivate, teach and encourage co-workers

5. SUB-DISTRICT NUTRITION SUPPORT GROUP SUPERVISORS (X4) – LUSAKA

Position Description:

The Sub-district Nutrition Support Group (NSG) Supervisor under the SUN II Project will have the overall responsibility of providing technical support and supervision to the NSG Supervisors in the implementation of nutrition activities using the NSG model, in particular health and nutrition using the NSG Model. The Sub-district NSG Supervisor will be supporting the conducting of trainings and rolling out of the NSG Model and provide oversight in the supervision and monitoring activities related to the NSG Model. In addition, Sub-district NSG-Supervisor will also support NSG-Supervisors to create key linkages of beneficiaries across sectors under SUNII within the sub-district.

The incumbent will be reporting to the District Nutrition Support Group (NSG) Coordinator.

Responsibilities:

• Collect NSG Supervisors’ reports monthly, review them and ensure the information presented is accurate and complete before submitting to the District NSG Coordinator.
• Establish the need for and support the acquisition and distribution of Social Behavior Change (SBC) materials and tools and other logistics for use at sub-district level.
• Facilitate linkages of SUNII beneficiaries for services across sectors (e.g. agriculture, livestock and fisheries, WASH, income/assets, gender, and health/nutrition program technical components) within the sub-district.
• Ensure program quality among NSG Supervisors.
• Maintain a good recording system for both soft and hard copies of NSG program reports so that they are easily accessible.
• Responsible for the supervision of NSG Supervisors who report to him or her in the sub-district at least once monthly.
• Provide consistent support to strengthen the capacity of NSG Supervisors, NSG Promoters, NSG Volunteers and other frontline workers in NSG, including organizing training programs and providing regular technical guidance within the Sub-district.
• Responsible for the performance of NSG Supervisors who report to him/her.
• Oversee the selection of NSG Promoters from within Health Facilities that will be enrolled on the Project to supervise the NSG Volunteers.
• Conduct regular field visits to oversee implementation, provide on-site feedback on required improvements, and generate field visit reports with timely and appropriate follow up on action points.
• Under the supervision of the District NSG Coordinator liaise and maintain relationships with Sectors/Partners with whom the SUNII has joint ambition/plans.
• Any other job-related duties as assigned by the supervisor.
• Contribute to documentation of best practices, lessons learned including success stories for publication.
• Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and Gender Equality and Inclusion (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 Programme staff are properly inducted on and understands their role in upholding Plan International’s safeguarding and GEI policies;

Educational Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum of a Bachelors’ degree in Nutrition and Public Health.
• 2 – 3 years of work experience in a similar position, in an INGO/NGO environment.
• Experience working collaboratively and productively with a range of partners, including GRZ, CSO and communities.
• Strong work experience and background in capacity-building, including participatory and facilitation approaches with communities and competency-based training.
• Knowledgeable about essential nutrition actions, growth monitoring and promotion, pre- and post-natal care, child health and pre-natal cards, and behavior change methodologies.
• Ability to transfer knowledge through trainings.

Competencies:

• Demonstrate understanding in the operational of Nutrition Support Group Model.
• Demonstrate how the Nutrition Support Group inter link with other community interventions.
• Demonstrate why Scaling up Nutrition focuses on children who are under 2 years of age.
•  Measuring and monitoring the nutritional situation
•  Identifying needs and interventions for the targeted populations
• Ability to work under pressure, to tight deadlines, with competing priorities and minimal supervision
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Plan work, anticipate risks, and set goals within area of responsibility
• Building the capacity of community partners and volunteers

To apply for these positions click the apply button below.

Kindly note that only candidates who meet the above specifications and competencies should apply. Applications should reach the undersigned not later than 5th May, 2023, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

All Applications should be dated and addressed to:

The Country Human Resource Manager

Plan International Zambia

Private Bag 518X

Plot 87A, Off Kabulonga road

Kabulonga.

LUSAKA.

We provide equality of opportunity and will not tolerate discrimination on any grounds. We foster an organizational culture that embraces and exemplifies our commitment to gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion while supporting staff to adopt good practice, positive attitudes and principles of gender equality and inclusion.