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 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

ROLE PROFILE

role PURPOSE

The Program Influencing & Implementation Area Manager (PIIAM) will act as Plan International most senior representative for the Program Area. He/ She is responsible to lead the strategic direction in the Program Area in accordance with Plan’s strategic program framework and retains final accountability for timely and quality delivery of all Plan’s operations in the area and in line with the approved Country Strategy (CS).

The PIIAM also provides overall strategic leadership, direction and support to the program area team to ensure timely and effective utilization of Plan’s resources for the benefit of targeted beneficiaries in the area. The post holder serves as Plan International Cameroon’s liaison with the state government and stakeholders, to establish a good working relationship, influence decision makers on issues affecting children’s and girls and excel Plan’s visibility.

Dimensions of the Role

• The PIIAM will Act as the senior representative for Plan International in the East Region and directly manage the entire Program Area Programmes and operations.
• Supervisor of a team of Project Managers and Coordinators, Finance, Admin, Logistics Coordinators located in Garoua or in sub-offices as required.
•  S/He is member of the Extended Country Leadership Team (e-CLT) 
• Have delegated financial authority for expenditures up to 8,000,000 CFA.

Accountabilities

Programme Quality Management

• Team up with the Head of Programmes and relevant team to develop the relevant strategies and working processes ensuring that the design and implementation of the relevant interventions are taking place in a holistic and sustainable way and aligned with approved global policies /frameworks. 
• Provide strategic leadership and guidance to the relevant staff within the Programme Area ensuring that the global program quality framework, ten commitment of sponsorship and other relevant policies (e.g Safeguarding, security and gender equality policies) are embedded within the office day to day operations and staffs are competent, committed to move forward with their implementation. 
• Lead and support the annual planning process for the programme area and provide strategic, Leadership, management and development of the Program Area (PA) team, in full compliance with local law and Plan International Cameroon policies and procedures.
• Team up with the Extended Country Management Team (e-CMT) in developing the relevant policies and strategies ensuring that Plan Cameroon is nationally and internationally recognized as one of the highly performing child rights organizations.
• Ensure that Plan Cameroon’s is well positioned at the governorates level through promoting its program approach, values and commitment to change the lives of marginalized children.
• Provide leadership and management support to the Program Coordinators (PC) / Managers and ensuring implementation of Plan’s programme and influence quality policy and procedures in all projects within the area.
• Provide guidance and support to the Program Coordinators/ Program Managers (PM) and relevant staff within the PA and ensuring quality implementation of Plan International Cameroon cost recovery policy.
• Coach and guide the PCs and PMs to ensure that the National level partnerships and strategies are implemented with the maximum level of quality and significantly contributing to the achievement of Plan International Cameroon’s CS objectives.
• Champion the testing and roll out of new innovations to programming and lead key advocacy initiatives at both East region and national levels.
• Ensure that the Youth Advisory Groups at the PA level are provided with safe and enabling spaces to inform Plan Cameroon while designing and implementing the relevant projects/Programmes.
• Oversees our work with partners and ensures selection and capacity building plans are implemented as per Building Better Partnership framework for Cameroon.
• Manage the disaster preparedness, resilience and responses strategies; and provide aid and protection for affected communities.

Sponsorship Programme Management

• Supervise all the enrolment/phase-out processes to ensure proper implementation of all Plan policies and procedures regarding enrolment/phase-out/phase-in in cooperation with the Country Sponsorship Manager and the relevant managers.
• Ensure sponsorship communications are produced (SPAR, PAO, PAU, SCU….etc) at the required level of performance
• Make sure the PA/PU meets sponsorship commitments for Programmes and communications in order to improve our accountability towards SC and sponsors.
• Design and pilot innovative ideas for re-engineering our sponsorship towards improved performance.

Business Development and Portfolio Management

• Supports Grant Manager and Head of Programmes in exploring funding opportunities.
• Lead the process of proposal development for new projects, as well as thematic/impact area’s and output budgets across Garoua Area; this to be carried out in close relations with sector leads, project managers, other Program area managers as well as the support team.
• Develop high quality concept notes and proposals using an evidence-based results framework, incorporating best practices and lessons learn developing appropriate project indicators, monitoring processes and tools, and monitoring budget cost estimates.
• Ensures that all major institutional donors compliance requirements 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.
• Oversees all sponsorship funds and grant budgets in the area and monitors resource mobilization towards the annual plans and CS targets.
• Budget management responsibility at area level according to annual plan; consolidating and analysing all Learn-Lead-Decide-Thrive-Humanitarian related project budgets outputs and advice project managers of achievements and issues on monthly basis.
• Ensures all partners’ advance liquidations are completed on time with quality documentation.

Programmes Monitoring and Reporting

• Ensures regular monitoring and periodic evaluations of major programme interventions to promote learning and improvement in all major areas of Plan’s strategic programming approach.
• Produce quality monthly, Quarterly and annual reports and ensure updates are used effectively for PA management.
• Conduct monthly meetings where project progress and budget vs actuals are discussed and shared with Programme Implementation Manager and Head of Programmes.
• Ensure projects/grants reports are of high quality and submitted on time to relevant departments and donors.
• Ensure the appropriate resource mobilization at Area level and build strategic partnership at local, state and national level.

Safeguarding Children and Youth Participation

• To ensure the Children & Youth Safeguarding Policy and local procedures are made widely available to all staff, associates, visitors, children and communities in a manner which means they are readily understood by everyone.
• To make sure Plan staff, associates and visitors understand appropriate behaviour towards children, what is expected of them in terms of their interaction with children and ensure that children are protected from abuse.
• Create opportunities and platforms for the Children and Youth Advisory Boards at the PA levels to contribute to the internal decision-making processes of Plan Cameroon’s and local government as well.
• Ensure that the Youth Advisory Panels & community-based CP networks at the PA level are provided with safe and enabling spaces to inform Plan Cameroon while designing and implementing the relevant projects/Programmes. 
• To ensure that all CP concerns within the organization are reported through the management reporting line and responded to in a timely fashion and in a manner, which safeguards the best interests of the child.
• To ensure we are keeping children safe when organizing and inviting children to participate in projects, events, activities, research and online social networking.  We also protect children visiting Plan offices. 

Representation and Networking

• Establish and support the development of collaborative relationships with a network of a range of partners and stakeholders to strengthen Plan International Cameroon’s voice with key external stakeholders, including within the Cameroon government at state level.
• Participate in the area networks for influencing policy, learning and sharing good practices to improve program quality and ensure participation and contribution to national policy development that have direct implication to the well-being of children.
• Coach and guide the PCs and PMs to ensure that the National level partnerships and strategies are implemented with the maximum level of quality and significantly contributing to the achievement of Plan International Cameroon’s CS objectives.
• Promote and protect plan image and reputation in the PA.

People, Culture & Organizational Development

• Create a conducive working environment in which people are motivated, respected, valued and managed well so as to realize their potential and development.
• 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. 
• Ensure best practices are documented and shared in the Area for the purpose of Plan’s visibility and positioning as a development and humanitarian organization.
• Develop the necessary strategies and take the appropriate measures ensuring that PA’s staff are motivated and capacitated to contribute to the overall goal of the organization through possessing the right attitudes and the adequate levels of skills& knowledge.
• Establish a culture of accountability, responsibility and mutual respect according to our values and behaviours.
• Implement all HROD initiatives related to staff capacity building, rewards, succession, work force, promotion, and retention and manage staff performance in line with approved Plan Employee Appraisal standards and guidelines.
• Take active role in staff recruitment for the area according to needs and resources.

Office Management & Operation Support

• Oversee and manage the administration of the PA office ensuring that the office facilities are available and properly equipped for efficient work by the program area team.
• Ensure the safety and security for the staff and Plan properties as well as properly analyse and manage the risks.
• Ensuring Plan Cameroon’s Fixed Assets, Security and procurement policies and procedures are implemented and adhered to.
• Lead the implementation of operational standards and periodically report to the CMT on the progress of Plan Cameroon within the PA. 
• Manage all Plan assets in the area according to clear register and disposal plan.
• Ensure legal issues as cars & office registrations, leases/rents and contracts are seriously analysed and comply with country laws.

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 post holder will demonstrate an ability to solve problems, thinking strategically while introducing innovations and creative thinking 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 Program Area levels.

The position involves a high degree of complexity in resolving a wide range of challenges due to management of 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.

The role will be tasked with strengthening quality, accountability, 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

Key relationships

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

Internal

• A member of ECLT and CLT (as required by HoP and CD). Functions includes all departments – Programmes, finance, HR, IT and operations to ensure that program work is delivered timely with high quality
• Maintain effective internal working relationships within Plan including with National, Regional and Country Offices, and with other Regional Managers/ advisors, CMT, e-CMT members and staff in Cameroon.
• 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 program & support department and in CO to share work progress and updates and technical follow up.

External

• Represents Plan in all relevant sectorial fora
• Interact with Government institutions responsible for children and girls issues.
• Donors and other Agencies
• Local partners
• Communication with the available media at Area level if prior approved by CD
• 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

Relevant knowledge and experience;

A minimum of Bachelor’s degree (3 successful years University) in Management, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Economics or other related fields. Master degree is preferable.

At least 05 years’ experience in a similar, senior management role

Demonstrated experience in the management of key programmatic areas such as health, education, livelihoods, disaster risk management and protection in recovery/resilience settings.

Knowledge of development and humanitarian donors’ rules and conditions such as DFID, EC/EU/ECHO, SIDA, UNICEF/UNHCR/UNDP/UNFPA or USAID/OFDA.

Knowledge of socio-cultural dynamics in the country

Minimum 07 years of progressively more responsible relevant program experience using a range of methods in performance monitoring and reporting, indicator development, data collection and analysis, data quality assessment (or equivalent combination of education and experience).

Demonstrated experience with project performance tracking systems, design and implementation. Demonstrated experience supporting proposal development efforts to ensure the use of evidence-based results frameworks leading to the design of logical implementation methodologies.

• Demonstrated commitment to issues and Programmes in gender equality, educational access, livelihoods, civic engagement, leadership & capacity development;
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