Plan Academy Project Manager at Plan International

Location: National Office, UK or International Office
Last Date: September 4, 2011

Plan Academy Project Manager

Plan is one of the oldest and largest children's development organisations in the world. We work in 48 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty. Plan's vision is of a world in which all children realise their full potential in societies that respect people's rights and dignity, our aim is to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of deprived children in developing countries. Plan is independent, with no religious, political or governmental affiliations.

About the role

Plan’s strategy to 2015 seeks to reach as many children as possible, particularly those who are excluded and marginalised, with high quality programmes that provide long lasting benefits. Important in the realisation of this goal is an approach to development and emergency work in which the views, rights and protection of children is central. Plan calls this the Child Centered Community Development Approach (CCCD). Plan believes that the quality of its work relies on the proper use of this approach. In order to ensure that there is consistency in the use of this approach across the work of the organisation, Plan has devised a related strategic project called The Plan Academy.


The Plan Academy will endeavour to improve core knowledge, skills, behaviour and practices around child rights based community development at all levels of the organisation be it in the field, within the National Organisations or at International Headquarters.

Reporting to the Project Lead (currently the Country Director of Plan Bangladesh), the PAPM will manage the Plan Academy project implemented by the Project Working Group, ensuring cost-effective delivery of the project goals.


Main responsibilities

1. Planning and Coordination. The PAPM will devise clear plans and coordination mechanisms for the project delivery that enable the different key stakeholders to deliver their part of the project on time

Areas of work under this responsibility will include

· Designing a full 3 year project business plan

· Creating an established methodology for management and best practices in the delivery of the project

· Identification of all functions needed for project delivery, including additional support

· Management and selection of consultancy TORs

· Facilitation of the coordination and planning processes

2. Monitoring and Communication of Progress. The PAPM will set clear monitoring processes in place for the tracking of progress and its communication to all key stakeholders

Areas of work under this responsibility will include

· Establishment of a monitoring and evaluation system, effective globally with agreed KPIs for both the whole project and its component parts including financing

· Ensuring that accurate project delivery information is readily available

· Tracking processes

· Setting up regular reporting mechanisms to PAWG on the delivery and accountability of the project against budget

3. Risk Management The PAPM will identify areas of risk that could impact on delivery quality and timing

Areas of work under this responsibility will include

· Establishing a project risk register which will be owned by stakeholders

· Regular monitoring of the risk register

· Reporting on actions and implementing suggested changes

4. Technical Advice and Support to Project Delivery. The PAPM will identify capacity gaps in the project stakeholders ability to deliver against the project outputs

Areas of work under this responsibility will include

· Analysis of M&E to reveal management weaknesses and technical capacity gaps

· Reporting to the PAPWG highlighting gaps and proposing solutions

5. Networking & representation responsibilities

Areas of work under this responsibility will include

· Promoting the project across Plan and gathering comprehensive buy-in

· Linking with other institutions pursuing similar work

6. Resource Mobilisation

Areas of work under this responsibility will include

· Raising funds in support of key aspects of the project


Dealing with Problems:

· Managing a global project with multiple stakeholders with different views of the project’s purpose and long-term potential impact (see organigram)

· Interacting with a Management structure that is based remotely over different time zones

· Managing a large budget spread across wide organisational needs


Communications and Working Relationships:

Main contact will be with:

Plan Academy Working Group (Project lead, the four regional Child Centered Community Development programme specialists, the NOPD chair (to represent the National Offices), the International Headquarters Head of Learning & Development, the International Headquarters Program Effectiveness Manager, and representatives of partner institutions).
Support will come from the People and Culture Department with Global and Regional representation, Information Communication and Technology staff, Communications and National Organizations’ Human Resource Directors/Managers
The PAPM will need to communicate with other institutions sharing our interest in this field


About you

Knowledge

· Knowledge of the international development sector and the rights-based/participation debates

· Knowledge of critical path analysis and up to date project planning methods

· Knowledge of INGO structures and how they operate an advantage

· Educational qualifications relevant to the delivery of cost-effective project management in this field


Skills

· Proven skills in the management of the delivery of complex projects

· Excellent organisational and co-ordination skills

· Budget forecasting, monitoring and Finance management skills

· Project Workgroup Facilitation skills

· Ability to earn credibility with the executive leadership

· Ability to work in an international cross-cultural environment

· Project Management skills using a variety of formal methodologies and informal styles

· Excellent written communication skills

· Strong influencing and negotiation skills

· Skilled in the use IT based Project Management tools such as MS Project and Visio.

· Skilled in the development and management of multiple funding resources

· Skilled in accessing knowledge and expertise in building organisational and individual capacity


Behaviours

· Versatile, personable and flexible in the face of a complex project

· Self-driven, can work with minimal supervision

· Creative and with initiative to seek workable solutions

· Works collaboratively & listens actively to the views of those impacting on the project

· Sensitive to differing cultures as they impact on project delivery

· Decisive and results focused following debate

· Sensitivity to working in a culturally diverse organisation and region


Languages

· PAPM must be able to speak, read and write English fluently

· Knowledge of Spanish and/or French is desirable


Location and Travel

This will be a three year assignment. The location of this position can be negotiated with the incumbent working out of a Plan Country Office, National Office or International Headquarters. However, regular international travel will be required.

Next Steps

Please submit a full CV and a comprehensive cover letter setting out your reasons for applying for the post and outlining the qualifications experience knowledge and skills that you feel you can bring to the role to:- recadmin at plan-international.org

The closing date for applications is Sunday 4th September 2011

Please quote reference number ARO18
Reference and background checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all areas of the international community.