Kenya: Project Officer: ECD/Education (Nairobi,Kenya)

Purpose: How does this post support Plan’s strategy and mission?
Founded 75 years ago, Plan International is one of the oldest and largest children's development organizations in the world. We work in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty particularly those who are excluded or marginalized. We deliver high quality programs that deliver long lasting benefits and work in partnership with others. Plan's vision is of a world in which all children realize their full potential in societies that respect people's rights and dignity. Plan is independent, with no religious, political or governmental affiliations and is an equal opportunity employer.
Support for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) for Nairobi and Coast Counties of Kenya is a USAID-funded $41 million Cooperative Agreement awarded to a consortium led by Plan International. Known locally as the Nilinde Project, this five-year initiative aims to improve the welfare and protection of the most vulnerable households affected by HIV/AIDS by reducing economic vulnerability and empowering parents to make investments that will improve the health and well-being of OVC.
Dimensions of Role:
Project Officer for Early Childhood Development and Education will support the enrollment, retention, and progression of children in early learning programs up to the secondary school level. S/he will work closely with implementing partners to by providing training, coaching and mentoring to scale-up a range of complimentary initiatives within households, schools and communities to promote access to quality education. S/he will also support the project’s case management strategy, and health education initiatives to improve timely linkages and referrals to community, protective, and clinical services, especially HIV.
S/he will be based at the Nilinde Mombasa Office, and will report to the Health and Social Services Team Leader.
Typical Responsibilities - Key End Results of Position:
Key Result Areas:
 Support implementing partners to scale-up evidence-based initiatives to increase enrollment, retention, and progress from early learning programs up to secondary school– including initiatives at the child, household, community, and school levels.
 Coordinate and assist partners to implement the project’s case management approach.
 Provide training and technical assistance to local implementing partners.
 Assist partners to integrate health messaging into education initiatives.
 Monitor project implementation and policy guidance to ensure alignment with minimum standards of quality.
 Produce accurate and timely reports and success stories to showcase project lessons, and results to contribute to the wider sector and institutional knowledge.
 Monitor field-level implementation to ensure that activities achieve desired results; make recommendations to improve guidelines and tools for implementers, and provide regular coaching to partners to improve quality.
 Support compliance with donor requirements and regulations.
 Manage and monitor HSS targets to align services with the greatest need, and with a focus on epidemic control.
Reporting and Documentation:
 Regularly collect and review project data to monitor progress, and produce accurate reports.
 Submit complete, accurate and timely reports that conform to prescribed formats and other parameters from Plan and the donor.
 Contribute to documentation and sharing of best practices with stakeholders as appropriate.
Problem Solving:
 Superior communication skills and judgement to identify and evaluate options and identify solutions.
Communications and Working Relationships:
 Maintain active dialogue with local authorities, local organizations, and a wide range of service providers to foster collaboration, ensure alignment with government priorities and standards, and solicit feedback to make regular improvements.
Key Requirements to Achieve Role’s Objectives:
Education, Knowledge & Experience:
 A Bachelor’s degree in community development, education, or other related field.
 At least 3 years’ relevant experience in child protection, or education initiatives to improve quality, enrolment, retention, and progression from the early years to secondary school.
 Experience working/collaborating with Government of Kenya, County Governments, and other stakeholders.
 Knowledge and experience to develop and lead participatory trainings.
 Strong written and communication skills, project reports, case studies, success stories.
 Knowledge of USAID rule and regulations.
 High level of integrity, values, ethics and attitudes that align with Plan’s Child Protection Policy
Behaviours
 Striving for high performance: plans and commits to deliver quality outputs in each aspect of their work.
 Decision making and risk management: Sound judgement and decision-making in complex situations; alerts others to risks inside and outside the project.
 Self-awareness and resilience: Remains calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations; plans own learning and development; aware of impact on others and adjusts own behaviour accordingly; has a positive impact on those around them.
Skills:
 Transfers knowledge and skills; supports implementing partners to deliver project services and support according to the approved work plan, standards, and timelines.
 Strong report writing skills; ability to identify the key elements and criteria of writing quality reports. Supports to produce accurate, consistent, high standard reports for the project in compliance with donor standards.
 Communicates with Influence: Demonstrates effective interpersonal communication skills, including conflict resolution and negotiation skills community consultation skills and an ability to prepare accurate and detailed documentation
 Building effective teams and partnerships: Collegiate - acting as a team player, even if this results in adjustment of own priorities; develops mutually trusting relationships with complex partnerships to deliver excellent business outcomes.
 Proficient in computer skills: including a proficiency in Microsoft Office and working knowledge with different computer programs, both computer and web-based.
Values
 Commitment to Plan International Kenya’s values
Physical Environment and Demands:
 Ability to travel up to 50% of the time.
Level of Contact with Children:
 Low level: Occasional interaction with children

To apply visit http://plan-international-kenya.org/jobs/ to access the full job description and make an online application if you meet the requirements. The deadline for application is 6^th March 2016.