Advisor in an International NGO

 LEARNING ADVISOR

Plan is an international humanitarian child centred community development organization, without religious, political or government affiliation. Plan started its operations in Kenya in 1982 and is committed to protecting and promoting child rights, and to improving the lives and futures of poor children, their families and communities through a child-centred community development approach.

Plan International (in Kenya) is recruiting for a Learning Advisor based at the Country Office. This position reports to the Strategic Program Support Manager. The purpose of this role is to provide strategic leadership and technical support in the design, implementation of projects interventions that can effectively deliver the Right to Quality Basic Education Country Program. The position holder will support development of innovations that increase opportunities for access to Early Child Care and Development (ECCD) and primary quality education especially for vulnerable groups of children.

Role Dimensions:

•       Promotes and facilitates inclusion and participation of children and their parents in decision-making processes as a way of improving quality of learning and the learning environment;

•       Equips (through training) staff and partners with knowledge and skills to facilitate children, their communities and School Management Committees to improve governance and accountability in school management;

•       Ensures capacity of children, parents, communities and School Management Committees are strengthened to engage with duty bearers, and ensure access to quality education and services;

•       Spearheads development and adoption of innovative and community-led Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) projects;

•       Develops innovative programs for working with adolescents in junior secondary schools while paying special attention to inclusion and creating education opportunities for girls and children with special needs;

•       Facilitates development of strategic partnerships and alliances at different levels for effective delivery and realization of the Right to Quality Education Country Program Objectives

•       Participates and represent Plan Kenya in education forums and networks at National level

•       Participates in Plan Regional, Global and external gender network or platforms for sharing, learning and action planning;

•       Develops a shared understanding across Plan on Rights Based Approach to education programming and how it links with Plan’s Centered Community Development Approach to addressing child poverty;

•       Ensures gender responsiveness in the Right to Education Programs and PU levels;

•       Plans and supports field level staff in the implementation of Plan policies, programs and projects that actively promote inclusive education;

•       Participates in national stakeholder forums, consultative processes, or conferences to profile Plan’s work and influence policies to ensure gender equality;

•       Facilitates and participates in education related research, documentation and advocacy at Program unit National, Regional and International levels;

Typical Responsibilities

·      Provide strategic guidance and technical support on education programming (i.e. assessment, design, resource mobilization, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and reporting) to staff and partners at Program Unit and Country levels;

·      Participate and facilitate engagement with relevant Government Ministries and departments at different levels (national, county, regional and international) on education while ensuring local-national linkages;

·      Support Building of strategic partnerships and alliances, at national and county levels for effective implementation of the Right to Quality c Education country program;

·      Facilitate and participate in action research, M&E and reporting on Early childhood Care and Development, basic education and use results to influence laws, policies and programs on child development and education;

·      Facilitate development of innovative Early Childhood Care and Development, Primary and Adolescent targeted initiatives that have greater impact in realizing the right to education for all children;

·      Oversee and support implementation of the Right to Quality Education Country Programs in all the 8 Program Units while ensuring it is aligned to the Country Strategic Plan and Plans Global Strategy;

·      Promote inclusion and participation of marginalized, minorities and vulnerable groups such as OVCs, children living and children with disabilities in education programs.

·      Follow-up monitor or asses education programs to assess and learn how they are impacting girls and boys.

·      Develop a small annual budget to support policy engagement at national level and for internal organizational sharing and learning.

·      Support in the dissemination and implementation of Plan global Education policy at national and Program Unit Levels.

·      Participate in national, regional and global education related advocacy campaigns such as the ‘Because I am a Girl’ and Learn without Fear.

·      Support grants team in the review of education project reports before they are submitted to donors.

·      Facilitate documentation of experiences and best practices and disseminate the information to influence policy and practice.

Knowledge

·      BA in Education or Related Degree

·      Post Graduate Diploma or Masters in Education will be added advantage.

·      At least five years experience in Early Childhood Care and Development and primary education Programming

·      Familiarity with Education Policies and programs in Kenya.

·      Experience in community development programming

·       

Skills

•       Excellent analytical, synthesis and presentation skills

•       Gender Analysis frameworks and tools

•       Excellent interpersonal & communication

•       Strong planning and organizing

•       Strong lobbying, negotiation and advocacy

•       Excellent analytical, synthesis and presentation

•       Excellent interpersonal & communication

•       Strong planning and organizing

•       Strong lobbying, negotiation and advocacy

•       Strong research and documentation

•       Partnership building and networking

Behaviours

•       Acts with high degree of integrity and professionalism.

•       Positive Disposition – Builds relationships and relates to people in a friendly, open and accepting manner

•       Innovation and committed to learning

•       Communicates clearly and effectively

•       Results oriented

•       Respect for human rights

•       Passionate in dealing with education issues

•       Confident in taking initiative and exploring new opportunities

For more details on how to apply, please visit http:/www.plan-international-kenya.org/jobs/. The vacancy closes on 19th October, 2012.

Skills

• Excellent analytical, synthesis and presentation skills

• Gender Analysis frameworks and tools

• Excellent interpersonal & communication

• Strong planning and organizing

• Strong lobbying, negotiation and advocacy

• Excellent analytical, synthesis and presentation

• Excellent interpersonal & communication

• Strong planning and organizing

• Strong lobbying, negotiation and advocacy

• Strong research and documentation

• Partnership building and networking

Behaviours

• Acts with high degree of integrity and professionalism.

• Positive Disposition – Builds relationships and relates to people in a friendly, open and accepting manner

• Innovation and committed to learning

• Communicates clearly and effectively

• Results oriented

• Respect for human rights

• Passionate in dealing with education issues

• Confident in taking initiative and exploring new opportunities

For more details on how to apply,