Programme Implementation Manager

The Organisation

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 75 countries.

ROLE PROFILE

role PURPOSE

Plan International is an independent child rights and humanitarian organisation committed to children living a life free of inequalities, exclusion and injustice.

We actively unite children, communities and other people who share our mission to make positive lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives. We support children to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today and in the future. We place a specific focus on girls and women, who are most often left behind.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Value Proposition

The Programmes Implementation Manager (PIM) leads, manage and supports Program Area Managers and Project Managers in quality programme delivery (planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation); and provides support and technical guidance in the management of their respective teams to ensure high level performance and the achievement of organisational goals. The post holder oversees project implementation plans and alignment with the country strategy roll out; s/he is also responsible for ensuring consistency in Plan’s approaches in areas of global distinctiveness and scaling up successful approaches as well as coordinating local partners’ capacity building strategy. The PIM reports directly to the Head of Programmes (HoP) and will be a key member of the extended Country Leadership Team (eCLT) and deputize the HoP when required.

Dimensions of the Role

• The post holder oversees programme planning and implementation of Plan International Cameroon Country Strategy within the context of program transformation. S/he is responsible for pushing project delivery ensuring key milestone are given special attention in proper planning and that project delivery follows Plan global approach for program quality and influence in a consistent way.
• The incumbent is member of the Extended Country Leadership Team (eCLT) and supervises Program Implementation and Influencing Area Managers (PIIAM), Emergency Response Managers (ERM), Chief of Party (CoP) and Project Managers based at CO level.
• S/He act as a senior manager and leader, ensuring smooth teamwork within and across the different units and promotes gender transformative programming, values, attitudes and behaviour.
• The post holder role is also to ensure strong technical support to field teams for our community/councils managed projects, promotes programme quality and effectiveness, supports knowledge management & learning through robust M&E and will be accountable for the timely and quality delivery of all projects;  

Accountabilities

Program Planning & Delivery

• Ensure annual project interventions are carefully and consistently planned and implemented in line with the Country Strategy (CS) development outcomes and areas of global distinctiveness across the programme areas.
• Ensure that all projects have detail implementation plans and MER framework and Project Managers are using it as main tool for planning and delivery.
• Leadership in project start-up activities: Situation analysis, project planning requirements, technical agreements, recruitments and start-up workshop with relevant stakeholders.
• Support the implementation of grants and sponsorship funded projects in line with new delivery model working local partners.
• Periodically review project goals, strategies and priorities with local partners and programme staff to ensure proper alignment with the CS.
• Provide leadership in supporting Quarterly and annual project reflection in line with global approach for programme quality and influence, standards and sponsorship commitments.
• Actively support effective grant management at the PA levels through the PAMs and ensure project budgets and delivery targets are well managed.
• Work closely with the Sponsorship Manager to ensure timely and quality delivery of sponsorship-funded projects in sponsorship communities as recommended in commitment#2.
• Build and oversee managerial accountability with particular attention to overall project design, planning, delivery, monitoring, and Evaluations.
• Support systematic programme growth in the PAs in line with the entry – exit strategy
• Lead overall portfolio of Plan International Cameroon programmes: including providing leadership to all managers on project cycle management, including quality, effectiveness, adherence to donors compliance;
• Promote new programming innovations and identify opportunities for national scale up through best practice models.
• Coordinate and support program quality and delivery unit on program audit, child protection audit, gender strategy review exercise and adequate application of management response across all impact areas, program areas and offices.
• To ensure that all Plan International Cameroon sponsored communities are involved in the design and delivery of programmes through all key stages of the programme cycle, working with the Sponsorship Manager and Programme Area Managers.
• Contribute to the implementation and periodically report of Plan Cameroon’s standard operating procedures, internal control procedures, cost recovery and HR policies within the PA in collaboration with other department heads.
• Support the safety and security risks analysis and mitigation measures for staff and Plan properties including program risks ownership and control actions.
• To ensure that all grant reports are delivered on time and to the necessary standard.
• To conduct regular monitoring visits to field locations as a key measure to improve programme quality.

Partnership strengthening and local partners’ capacity building

• Lead the implementation of community/council managed projects with clear strategy that allow organization learning and KM.
• Establish and support the development of vivid collaborative relationships with a network of a range of partners and stakeholders to strengthen Plan International Cameroon’s voice and level of influence with key external stakeholders, including within the Cameroon government and International Agencies at different levels in line with programme growth. 
• Actively support local partners’ management (identification, profiling, assessment and review of partnership agreements) plus monitoring partner’s activities.
• Identifying, profiling and maintain an updated list of key strategic partners per LLDT and areas of global distinctiveness.
• Support project managers in efficient work plans and related budgets, timely liquidation of advances.
• Team up with finance and support services to assess partners’ strengths and weakness and develop partners’ capacity building plans that are implemented with evidence of improved project delivery.
• Provide leadership and support programme teams in ensuring timely management of staff performance systems.
• Ensures community accountability plan is being implemented in line with feedback mechanisms.

Business Development & Budget Management

• To support and oversee the timely production of high quality project concept notes and proposals.
• To lead the process of budget development for new projects (activity-based budgeting), the annual department budget as well as thematic/impact area’s and output budgets across the country, this to be carried out in close working relations with sector leads, project managers, Program area managers as well as the support team.
• To ensure that all project expenditure, particularly financial reports for key institutional grants, is on time and to budget (within permissible variance limits) and to oversee and guide any budget reforecasting and reallocation exercises that are required.
• Ensure that all major institutional donor compliance requirements from a programme perspective are fully adhered to.
• To ensure regular program budget and activities review meetings are conducted to discuss progress as per plans, review and approve plans and budget requirements for the next period.

Research, Monitoring and Reporting

• S/He ensure that all project baselines, midterm & final reviews and all research initiatives are conducted at the expected high quality and innovation that would serve as evidence for advocacy and influencing work.
• Work with MER & Program Quality units to enrich the country MER system which evidence-based programmes and reports than demonstrate Plan’s progress towards the country targets according to CS baseline and targets.
• Coordinate the reporting process, in particular projects monthly updates, corporate donors reports, quarterly and annual reports, to the donors as well as to Regional Office including timely submission of all required reports and implementation of follow-up actions and recommendations.
• Ensure best practices are documented and shared in the Area for the purpose of Plan’s visibility and positioning as a reputable development and humanitarian organization.
• Support HoP in implementing the internal control measures as well as audits preparations, management response and actions.

Leadership Strengthening, Coaching and Mentoring

• Provide leadership, coaching and mentoring of project managers on results-based management and support individual development and performance.
• To take active role in the identification and recruitment of key programme staff, both at the CO and within the PUs working closely with the Programme Area Managers, Sector leads and HROD including finalization of specific JDs and type of contracts and developing and marking written tests and setting interview questions, etc.
• Support staff to understand organizational vision, mission, strategic directions, Human Resource Policies, Child protection and Gender Equality Policy.
• Ensure Plan’s organizational culture, values and behaviours especially with regards to Gender equality are embedded in project managers’ behaviours and practices.
• Provide necessary training and development opportunities to Area staff that will result in professional growth and equip them with knowledge and skills to enable them improve program quality.
• Develop the relevant working processes to support and promote learning amongst the people in the program area as well as amongst the PAs and ensuring that Plan Cameroon’s staff and partners are updated and committed to contribute to the change journey within the organization. 
• Establish a culture of accountability, responsibility and mutual respect according to our values and behaviours.
• Build a strong professional relationships and networks with key international and national organizations, government and multilateral partners and donors.

1. Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) 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 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.

Dealing with Problems/Risks

The role will be tasked with strengthening planning, management, adherence to policies and procedures, and promoting a culture that aims for the consistent delivery of results and make positive impact to children, in particular for girls and their communities

The post holder will demonstrate an ability to solve problems as fast responder, thinking strategically while introducing innovations and creativity as needed. This is to meet the demands of a dynamic, challenging and sometimes unpredictable operating environment.

The post holder is expected to play a key role in optimizing Program performance and enabling high performing teams at country office and Program Area levels.

The position involves a high degree of complexity in resolving a wide range of challenges due to interaction with different units within the department, encompassing a range of management lines, geographical locations, a large and diverse workforce, and a range of contractual obligations, including grant specific deliverables.

Key relationships

Working contacts inside and outside the organization; include the purpose and level (high, medium, low) of the contact;

Internal

• Direct relationship with HoP, Program Leads, PIIAMs and Project Managers.
• Maintain effective internal working relationships within Plan including with National, Regional and Country Offices, and with other Regional Managers/ advisors, CMT, e-CLT members and staff in Cameroon.
• Functions includes working with all departments – Programs & sponsorship, finance, HR, IT and operations to ensure that program work is delivered timely with high quality
• To maximize overall program impact through the optimized contributions of others, the post holder will be required to initiate, develop and maintain a range of working relationships at CO and Program Area level that will include government counterparts, donors, implementing partners and other development organizations.
• Line Managers – High level of Communication to report, sharing views to strengthen the program areas and to ensure continues support for the program.
• Regular communication with CLT to share work progress, updates and technical follow up.

External

• Represents Plan in relevant sectorial fora in Cameroon; Education, YEE, CP, Health/WASH, DRM
• Interact with Government institutions responsible for children and girls issues.
• UNHCR, UNICEF, UNFPA, WFP and other UN bodies
• Donors and other Agencies
• Direct relationship with local NGO and partners
• The post holder will be required to maintain range on relationship externally with Partners at CO and Area levels: Program Directors at other INGOs and Government representatives to share best practices and to identify/ implement opportunities for collaboration e.g. advocacy, research, etc.
• Partners – Medium Level of communication to share and understand progress of the program.
• Business Mentors Network – High level of communication to seek support and to mobilize resources for the program

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Experience & expertise

• Master degree in relevant Social, Development field with demonstrated experience in programme and project planning and cost-effective delivery
• Experience in gradually mentoring low performing team towards improved programme delivery.
• Minimum of 05 years humanitarian and development experience in complex context supervising a large team of Project Managers
• High level of managerial experience including managing multi-million dollar budgets
• Strong understanding of the humanitarian operating context, including sphere, the humanitarian system, donors, security and multi-disciplinary program management.
• International programme management experience will be an added value to the role
• Emphasis will be given to working experience on gender equality or advancing girls’ equality agenda in challenging socio-political environment; previous work in the Sahel or Northern Cameroon will be appreciated
• UNDSS security training is required; HEAT certificate is preferred.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues at long distances;
• Fluency in English and good working knowledge of French;
• Excellent Written and oral communication skills, including presentation and public speaking
• Strong Analytical and problem solving skills;
• Exceptional conceptual and strategic thinking skills.
• Strong team building and motivational skills;
• Good Negotiation and influencing skills;
• Solid experiences in resource mobilization with a variety of donors;
• Leadership analysis/coaching skills;
• Strong inter-personal skills in a multi-cultural environment;
• A proven track record in successfully mobilizing resources across a range of institutional donors.
• Ability to provide leadership, communicate effectively and build high performing teams that work together to achieve goals.
• Ability to analyse information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically

Knowledge

• Sound understanding of integrated development and humanitarian issues and critical analysis of child poverty.
• In-depth knowledge of child-rights programming and ability to conduct critical analysis to challenges affecting achievement of child rights with focus on girls’ rights.
• Demonstrated knowledge in leading strategic planning processes
• Knowledge of effective participatory Monitoring, Evaluation and Research systems and processes
• Demonstrated track record in driving change and enabling high performing teams, with the ability to lead, motivate and develop others.
• Knowledge of programming processes, systems and principles, and the ability to provide leadership and support to staff working at community level.
• Solid understanding of gender equality integration in programs, personnel management, and office culture.

Behaviours

Performance:

• • Creates strong sense of purpose within the organization and among team and as well as with stakeholders
  • Holds self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and standards of behaviour

Strategic thinking and delivery

• Sees contribution of own part of the organisation in wider Plan and external context
• Balances future vision with practical delivery

• Sound judgement and decision-making in complex situations
  • Can reach out and influence large groups of people
  • Creates highly motivated team of unified purpose
• Modifies own view to get best outcome for organisation
• Supports learning in diverse teams

Self-Awareness

• Remains calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations
• Aware of impact on others and adjusting own behaviour accordingly
• Humble and service oriented
• Promotes innovation and learning
• Ability to act as part of multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team.

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

1. Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
2. Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
3. Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
4. Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
5. Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

1. Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
2. Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
3. Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
4. Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

1. Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
2. Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
3. Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
4. Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

5. Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
6. Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
7. Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
8. Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Physical Environment

The position will be based in the Country Office (Yaounde, Cameroon) with frequent in country travel and some international travel.

Level of contact with children

Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children.

This position is for Cameroon Nationals Only and female staffs are highly encouraged.

Location: Yaounde

Closing Date: 10th October 2022

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

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.