Project Officer

Who are Plan International?

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation 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 it’s 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 85 years, and are now active in more than 80 countries.

ROLE PURPOSE

The conflict in Ukraine is resulting in a major humanitarian crisis with over 4 million people having fled to neighbouring countries, and millions displaced within Ukraine. Plan International is responding to the crisis and working in partnership with civil society organisations in Poland, Romania, and Moldova to meet the key needs of those affected by the crisis as well as host communities.

Plan International has been present in Ukraine since July 2022 and has established partnerships with civil society organisations, ensuring national actors are equipped with technical support, best practices and flexible resources, with a primary thematic focus on Child Protection, Education and Mental Health & Psychosocial Support.

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

The post-holder is responsible (but not limited to) the coordination of various project start-ups, project activity monitoring, partnership monitoring for multiple projects and acts as a project focal point during project implementation.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Under the supervision and guidance of the Programme Manager, the Project Officer will perform the below main activities:

• Oversee partner implementation of project activities within the set deadlines and donor standards implementing the project according to Plan’s and donor’s project cycle procedures and standards
• Work with implementing partners to draft and implement project activities based on the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP)
• Make necessary trips to the project areas to monitor project activities, identify opportunities and constraints and make any necessary adjustments and recommendations, including capacity strengthening that partners would require.
• Regularly update the progress, priorities, and constraints of project implementation and communicate these to management
• Work together with the programs and finance staff to ensure timely delivery of high-quality reports that meet donor and Plan International standards and requirements.
• Conduct capacity building for national and partner staff in project management and project implementation, supported by Plan’s technical Teams.
• Ensure that senior management, project and partner staff understand donor communication protocols and visibility requirements
• Represent Plan in internal/external meetings, forums and events as required to help build Plan’s branding and visibility
• Ensure that Plan’s child protection and safeguarding policy is respected, and all cases of abuse are reported. Work with project partners to ensure safeguarding protocols and procedures are followed.
• Supervise and guide project implementation, including modifying work plans, budgets and logical frameworks as required.
• Communicate project changes with donors and NOs, providing the Partnership Coordinator assistance with any Partnership Agreements, FADs, and/or amendments necessary during the life cycle of the project.
• Manage day-to-day communications with project implementing partners in a timely manner, focusing on Plan’s principles of Building Better Partnerships and being responsive to partners needs and requests.
• Monitor performance of the partner teams and internal Plan staff assigned to the projects to ensure all milestones set in the annual work plan are met
• Ensure that agreed roles and responsibilities between program stakeholders are fulfilled and appropriately managed.
• Project setup and maintenance in information systems (SAP, etc.) in cooperation with financial manager
• Monitoring project activities in the context of media visibility
• Establish and ensure effective channels of internal and external communications
• Any other duties requested by the Programme Manager or Director of Programmes

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Head of Mission, Programmes Director, Technical Specialists (EiE, CPiE, MHPSS, CVA), and support staff (Finance and logistics); Local project implementing partners; Ukraine Hub and Global Hub relevant teams.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential Knowledge

• University degree in relevant social science field
• Proven experience working with an International or local NGO
• Proven experience with coordinating projects funded by international donors
• Good knowledge and understanding of humanitarian principles
• Experience of implementing and coordinating projects in education, SRHR, child protection, cash and voucher assistance, gender and participatory approach will be an asset
• Good interpersonal and communication skills

Essential Skills

• Strong strategic decision-making and communication skills including reporting and presentations to a variety of stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, Ukrainian and Russian;
• Demonstrated ability of teamwork, coordination, and planning
• Knowledge of usual office software (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and regular communication channels (Teams, email, Skype).
• Impeccable time management skills and the ability to work under pressure.

Essential Behaviours

• Committed to Plan International’s strategy and values
• Experienced with working in collaboration with Senior Management
• Team player and relationship builder
• Able to work calmly under extreme pressure, volatile & insecure environment and at unpredictable (long) hours during emergency response
• Works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to work under pressure well
• Committed to Plan International’s strategy and values
• Communicator; Promotes innovation and learning; Communicates clearly and effectively; Strong team building and motivational skills; Demonstrates clear respect to all and especially children and women without discrimination
• Demonstrates honesty and transparency in holding self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and Plan’s standards of behaviour

PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE

We are open and accountable

We create a climate of trust inside and outside the organisation by being open, honest, and transparent. We hold ourselves and others to account for the decisions we make and for our impact on others, while doing what we say we will do.

We strive for lasting impact

We strive to achieve significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, and to secure equality for girls. We challenge ourselves to be bold, courageous, responsive, focused and innovative.

We work well together

We succeed by working effectively with others, inside and outside the organisation, including our sponsors and donors. We actively support our colleagues, helping them to achieve their goals. We come together to create and implement solutions in our teams, across Plan International, with children, girls, young people, communities and our partners.

We are inclusive and empowering

We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge inequality in our programmes and our workplace. We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.

Where will I be based?

Our main office is in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Why join Plan International?

It’s an exciting time to join as we shape our longer-term strategy and presence within each of the response countries. You’ll have a direct impact on women and children affected by the conflict in Ukraine.

How do I apply?

Please submit your CV and Cover Letter.

Please note, interviews will take place on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to close this advert once sufficient applications are received. During our emergency response, there may be a delay in hearing from us; at Plan International we appreciate the time invested in application processes and aim to respond to every candidate in due course.

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. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.