BACKGROUND

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan has 85 years of experience and works in more than 75 countries across the world. We strive for a just world, working together with children, young people, our supporters, partners and host government.

Our work supports marginalised children and youth, especially adolescent girls, to grow up physically and mentally healthy and ready to shape their future. We create an enabling environment and empower girls to be active drivers of change in realising their rights. We have committed ourselves to the ambitious target of reaching 100 million girls over 5 years, to ensure they can learn, lead, decide and thrive.

Plan International has been working in Tanzania since 1991. Currently Plan International Tanzania (PIT) operates in eight geographical regions; Geita, Mwanza, Mara, Morogoro, Pwani, Rukwa, Katavi, and Kigoma on different projects funded by different donors including sponsorship. We aim to support creating an enabling environment where girls, adolescent girls, and young women are safe, valued, equally cared for, and have equal opportunities. PIT will contribute to the global strategy by aiming to reach directly 2 million Adolescent Girls and Young Women over the period of the Strategic Plan – 2022-2026 and to reach an addition of 5 million beneficiaries through different interventions.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Head of Education is an innovative and visionary leader responsible for resourcefully planning and directing Plan International Tanzania’s programming on Education. (S)he has the technical supervisory responsibility for Project Managers and Programme Coordinators and manages a portfolio of Education sponsorship and grants. The Head of Education is responsible for developing sustainable, integrated programming and is accountable to beneficiaries and donors, placing a high value on innovative design of new proposals/ grants, creative partnerships and national level networking and advocacy.

This role is based at the Country Office and reports to the Team Leader of Program Quality.

Dimensions of the Role

• This position has direct reports related to Education sponsorship and grants and will manage a modest department budget.
• This position has a dotted line of reporting from all PU Education projects related posts and is responsible for overall programme design, implementation & monitoring.
• The position reports to the Team Leader Program Quality (TLPQ).

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Typical Responsibilities – Key End Results of Position:

Programme strategy development:

• Lead in further design of the Education programme for Plan International Tanzania as prioritized in the Country Strategic Plan;
• Develop all components of the Education programme to be aligned with government and donor priorities, as well as the priorities of the children and communities where Plan works;
• Identify key implementing and strategic partners working in the field of education with whom Plan can work to leverage meeting its CSP objectives;
• Design evidence-based education projects which are in line with Plan’s CCCD approach (the rights-based approach) and CSP, for both sponsorship and grants;
• Seek out innovations that can be used in the education space, including the use of ICT4D;
• Work closely with the Head of MERL to ensure that all project plans are complete with outcome level monitoring and evaluation plans;
• Continuously learn from implementation to feed into further strategy development, documenting learnings for both internal and external use;
• Develop programme strategies through participatory processes, including in liaison with other Heads of Programs so that integrated programming can be achieved.
• Promote/support application of Plan’s global programme quality policy and framework, global M&E standards and Plan International Tanzania’s M&E vision in its Country Strategic Plan 2022-2026.
• Ensure programme integration both within and between different Programmes to arrive at a holistic, coordinated approach at the community level.

Implementation and management

• Oversee programme management for all Education related projects;
• Coordinate and direct program planning processes to ensure integration of programs, proper understanding of program goals and objectives, and engagement and buy-in of key stakeholders;
• Develop and oversee programme implementation strategies, including partnership frameworks, protocols and agreements, and capacity building of partners as potentially identified;
• Ensure that programme implementation is responsive to communities, authorities and partners and consistent with Plan’s programme guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan;
• Integrate sustainability, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate
• In coordination with the MERL department, ensure that Project Managers have access to and are appropriately using routine monitoring and periodic assessment / survey data;
• Ensure programme implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to achieve the desired impact;

• Draft and/or review scopes of work to hire and manage technical consultants, including review for technical capacities and contract budgets;

• Support and maintain systems to ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources and timely, accurate and informative reporting in compliance with donor regulations;
• Support all Project Managers/ PUMs in effective budget management, including accurate spending forecasts, expense monitoring, etc.;
• Review and approve activity plans or monthly spending projections, according to project budgets and annual spending projections;
• Support and where possible, improve operational systems and structures to ensure effective administrative and logistics support for programs;
• Lead the programme team in implementation of all Education projects.

Resource Mobilisation

• High quality concept notes and proposals are developed and submitted to donors
• Effective linkage and relationship established and maintained with National Offices, internal and externals donors and development partners through fast and speedy communication as well as seeking of new opportunities in liaison with the Business Development Unit
• Good relationship established with new/ existing proposed partners for upcoming resource mobilisation opportunities.

National Advocacy & representation

• Effective linkage with government’s relevant departments and ministries and strategic networks are established and maintained to ensure influence at national and regional level;
• Represent Plan International Tanzania in various forums (meetings, conferences, etc.) and during partner and donor representative in-country visits related to education;
• Strategic representation of Plan in relevant platforms and technical groups
• Programme advocacy and communication strategy including necessary materials developed and used at different levels to do evidence-based advocacy to mainstream Plan’s programme, interventions, strategies or activities with support from the Communications department
• Representation ensured in different government non-government technical committees and Plan role recognized as important credible partner.
• Active in different networks and leads different technical and networking initiatives to raise profile of Plan
• Meaningful strategic partnerships established
• Plan’s programme features in different media like print, electronic and social.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key contacts including National-level Tanzanian government officials, donor representatives, INGO and national NGO representatives, and relevant UN agency representatives.
• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with sub-grantees, National  authorities and other stakeholders

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Capacity Building, Training and Technical Support

• Provide coaching, mentoring and capacity building to staff implementing education projects;
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect in which team members strive to achieve excellence, and look for ways to complement and contribute to each other’s efforts;
• Work closely with the HR department to hire, orient and supervise new team members as necessary;
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews and follow-up on annual performance objectives and plans.
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance, look for ways to innovate, and reach objectives
• Contribute to country team-building and staff development efforts, and support the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

• Ensure programme staff compliance with the Plan International Tanzania policies and related procedures.

Reporting

• Assist with timely and high-quality narrative reporting to donors (monthly, quarterly annual and final) in conjunction with the thematic project teams/coordinators
• Facilitate timely and quality development of all quarterly and annual corporate reports;
• Ensure reporting on best practice and learning for reflection through quality documentation.

Compliance to Global Polices

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEIP) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring Plan and Partner’s staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures

Communications and Working Relationships:

Internal:

• This position works closely with Thematic Sector Heads (High)
• This position works closely with the Operations department (Medium)
• This position works closely with all Project Managers related to Education (high)
• This position works closely with the Business Development Unit (medium)
• This position works closely with the Head of Field Implementation and PUMs (high)
• This position works closely with the Programme Communications Coordinator and M&E

External:

• This position represents Plan International Tanzania in all education related external representation.

Knowledge, Skills, Behaviours, and Experience Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

• A Master’s degree in Social Science or International Development with practical experience in Education/ a Master’s degree in Education with international development experience
• Minimum 8-10years of relevant field-based project management experience;
• Experience with 2-3 donors implementing programmes
• Experience in development education programmes and projects, including translating design into solid implementation with sound results;
• Experience in planning and facilitating training/workshops on education project design and reviews;
• Experience in writing/ contributing significantly to successful grant proposals;
• Skill in representing at senior levels in the field of education;
• Fluent written and spoken English language skills required.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to quickly adapt technical guidance to any given operating environment.
• Experience working with children and understanding their special needs.
• Experience with rights-based approaches.

• Experience managing staff, including demonstrated experience in staff training, coaching and mentoring.

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• This position requires high computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications.
• Skills and knowledge on treaty monitoring and  reporting as applicable
• Experience in Civil society strengthening
• Ability to multitask and work under pressure with minimal supervision

Physical Environment

• Low contact:     No contact or very low frequency of interaction
• The position requires regular field travels, at least 30% of the work time

Level of contact with children

Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children during reflection meetings, evaluations, and research