Country: Malawi
Closing date: 19 Jul 2019
The Organisation
Plan International UK is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.
Development Works Limited is a brand-new SME established by Plan International UK to implement projects within the development sector. Development Works draws on Plan International’s global reach and in-house expertise, including over 50 country offices. With financial backing from Plan International UK, Development Works is set up to run large, complex contracts, manage consortia and take on delivery risk.
We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination and it is 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 over 80 years and are now active in more than 70 countries.
The Opportunity
Plan International seeks a dynamic leader and project strategist to fill the role of Chief of Party (COP)/Team Leader (TL) for the anticipated DFID-funded project, Strengthening Malawi’s Education System, a £16.5 million project to be implemented over four years.
This programme will focus on improving primary numeracy outcomes nationally across Malawi, with an expected focus on:
- Strengthening the current primary numeracy curriculum and learning materials in Malawi
- Strengthening pre- and in-service training and materials for numeracy teachers in Malawi
- Improving systemic information gathering and storing for evidence-based planning and policy
Any interventions for this programme must be applicable to the current schooling context in Malawi, considering large class sizes and often scarce resources.
The COP/TL will lead and oversee all aspects of this high-profile project, including directing strategic planning and decision making, providing technical guidance, managing the activities of sub-recipients, and supervising staff. Serving as the key liaison with DFID, the Government of Malawi, implementing partners, and other stakeholders, the COP/TL will also establish and maintain an integrated vision among different actors while ensuring adherence to all project objectives, performance requirements, and donor regulations.
Consideration for this pivotal role will be given to professionals with 1) a clear understanding of education programming in Malawi or a similar context; 2) a clear understanding, experience and knowledge in government systems and reform processes; and 3) the ability to meet rigorous timelines, track results, effectively manage staff and multi-stakeholder relationships, and influence decision-making at the local and national level to create positive change.
Responsibilities
- Provide overall technical and managerial oversight and leadership for the project.
- Ensure efficient management of financial resources, including the review and approval of programme budgets and monitoring expenditures.
- Supervise field operations, project administration, logistics and procurement.
- Oversee the delivery and monitoring of any sub-grants.
- Supervise programme monitoring, evaluation, and reporting and ensure quality control and timeliness of all deliverables as required by the grant and donors.
- Ensure full compliance with all DFID, Plan, and other fiduciary regulations.
- Serve as the principal liaison with the Government of Malawi; DFID and other donors; and project partners and stakeholders to ensure effective programme implementation and build lasting relationships.
The Person
In order to succeed in this challenging and varied role, you will have extensive experience in the following areas:
- Possess at least a master’s degree in international development or a related field.
- Strong knowledge of education programming in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Significant experience managing large-scale, multi-year programmes, preferably in related contexts or relevant regions.
- Demonstrated knowledge of education programming.
- Demonstrated ability to implement projects with rigorous timelines and deliverables and to track programme quality through donor-approved monitoring and evaluation systems.
- Ability to work under pressure, as part of a team or independently, and meet deadlines consistently.
- Experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders, such as local NGOs, government officials, donor representatives, and local and international staff.
- Ability to respond to requests on short notice and simultaneously plan and execute several activities.
- Proven experience hiring, training, and supervising teams of international and local staff.
- Proven leadership, interpersonal, and cross-cultural skills, with the ability to build and motivate diverse teams.
- Excellent command of English, with strong verbal and written communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Desirable
Demonstrated knowledge of DFID project management, including DFID rules, regulations, and reporting requirements.
Experience of successfully managing large-scale, multi-year UK government-funded programmes.
Understanding of the contextual issues facing the education sector in Malawi.
Previous experience working with Malawi’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
Type of Role: Fixed term contract
Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
Salary: Competitive salary available
Reports to: Plan International Malawi Country Director and Plan International UK Project Director
How to apply:
In order to express your interest, please send your CV with the subject line Malawi TL to Hannah Byrne – hannah.byrne@plan-uk.org
Closing Date: Friday 19th of July
Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.
Please note that only applications and CVs written in English will be accepted.
A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Child Protection Policy.
As an international child centred community development organisation, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realisation of children's rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.
Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.
Plan International operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all areas of the international community