Legal, Social Sciences and Community, Community Service

Plan International Ethiopia

Founded over 80 years ago, Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We strive for a just world, working together with children, young people, our supporters, and partners. Headquartered in the UK, Plan International works in a total of 75 countries in AFRICA, ASIA, EUROPE, AUSTRALIA, and the NORTH AMERICANS

By actively involving children, and working at the grassroots with no religious, political, or governmental affiliation, Plan International unites and inspires people around the globe to transform the world and make positive lasting changes in children’s lives.

Plan International’s first operation in Ethiopia started in Lalibela, in November 1974 and is currently implementing its program in Gambella, Benishangul-Gumuz, Afar, Oromia, Amhara, SNNPR, and Addis Ababa City Administration. Plan International Ethiopia will also continue low presence in Somali and Tigray. Furthermore, if there is a national-level emergency crisis in the country Plan International Ethiopia will respond quickly, effectively, and at a significant scale, even in areas where we are not present.

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 PURPOSE

Plan International Ethiopia is looking for a Gender equality, diversity and Inclusion Officer  for a five-year project called “PlayMatters” and funded by the LEGO Foundation. This position will be a part of the larger PlayMatters initiative, led by the PMs Project Lead, aimed at increasing play-based learning opportunities for nearly 1 million pre-primary and primary school aged refugee and host community children impacted by the humanitarian crises in East Africa and living in Ethiopia and Uganda.  This project seeks to build children’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical and creative skills through play in their homes, schools, and communities and will be implemented in partnership with War Child, Plan International, Ubongo, Behavioural Insights Team and Innovations for Poverty Action.

The Gender equality, diversity and Inclusion Officer will be responsible to:

• Support the implementation of the PlayMatters gender and inclusion strategy by developing & ensuring mainstreaming and promotion of gender equality and inclusion in all project workstreams
• Identify and implement target specific interventions for the empowerment of girls, women and persons with disabilities and help overcome gender-based inequality and discrimination.
• provide capacity building training for PlayMatters, and monitor gender and Inclusion activities are progressed well as planned.
• Conduct gender equality and inclusion audits from time to time and identify areas of improvement, communicate the same with relevant project outcome leads
• Provide leadership to the PlayMatters project country team in developing Gender Age Marker (GAM) during proposal review, implementation and provide technical feedbacks and inputs to assessment tools to make sure that the tools can address gendered needs of crisis affected people; men, women, boys and girls alike
• Assist the PlayMatters Regional gender advisor to develop necessary guidelines, systems and tools for gender mainstreaming and inclusion practices across all workstreams
• Prepare annual and quarterly implementation and budgets plans
• Prepare periodic narrative reports on gender equality, diversity and inclusion related plans and implementation progress based on project reporting templates and guidelines.
• Ensure equal and fair opportunities and representation of both sexes and persons with disabilities in the projects’ outcome areas.
• Work closely with the existing MEAL system on monitoring, evaluation and reporting Gender Equality, diversity and Inclusion issues as per the required templates and timelines
• Organize regular review meetings with Playmatters staffs to assess progress on gender transformative programming but also to agree on and communicate any changes in strategy with the project staffs and outcome leads
• Present and share lessons, best practices, approaches with project staffs and partners

The post-holder will be based in Addis Ababa yet will be expected to travel to the project locations in Gameblla, Afar and Assosa for approximately 50% of the time.

ACCOUNTABILITIES and MAIN WORK ACTIVITIES

The gender equality, diversity and inclusion officer will be accountable:

• for any gender equality, diversity and inclusion related plans, implementation process and outcomes of PlayMatters Project
• for PlayMatters gender equality, diversity and inclusion related requires, concerns, supports needed and guidance to project staffs and partners
• to prepare annual and quarterly implementation and budget plans
• to prepare periodic narrative reports and updates on gender equality, diversity and inclusion related plans and implementation progress.  
• Be responsible for ensuring proper implementation of gender mainstreaming in all PlayMatters project outcome areas through gender transformative approach

Expected Outcomes:             

• Key gender equality, diversity and inclusion gaps in the project is identified and strategy, guidelines and checklists are placed to address gender and inclusion related challenges to LtP (Learning through Play)
• Target specific activities are implemented to ensure empowerment of girls, women and persons with disabilities and help overcome gender-based inequality and discrimination in schools and communities where PlayMatters project operates.
• PlayMatters outcome-leads and field staffs are trained, their capacity is enhanced and technically supported to mainstream gender and inclusion aspects through their planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes.
• PlayMatters Gender and inclusion strategy is effectively implemented through gender transformative approach
• The MEAL reports generate gender, age and inclusion disaggregated data
• Gender equality, diversity and inclusion related events and successful stories are properly documented and communicated with relevant project staffs, consortium members and partners.

Synergy, Communication and Coordination:

• The post holder will regularly communicate with PlayMatters Project lead and regional gender advisor for collaborative workflow and deliverables
• Coordinate and support any activities in PlayMatters Project that require the post holders’ area of expertise
• Collaborate with PIE gender and inclusion practices and contribute to the overall all organizational efforts to ensure gender equality in humanitarian settings.

Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) 

• Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and GEI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.
• Ensures that all staff signed safeguarding policies;
• Implement Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in day to day work.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications/ experience essential:

• Bachelor degree or MA degree in Gender studies, Sociology, Social work and other related social sciences.
• At least three years’ of work experience for BA holders
• Proven work experience in gender equality, diversity and inclusion practices on humanitarian/and development projects
• Knowledge and experience of gender mainstreaming, inclusion and gender transformative approaches in projects
• Knowledge and experiences on gender need assessment, gender analysis, GAMs and other gender tools at field and office levels for humanitarian settings
• Experience in designing & facilitating training for staff and partners through virtual as well as in-person settings
• Practical experiences on gender need assessment, gender analysis, GAMs and other gender tools at field and office levels for humanitarian settings
• Experience in gender advocacy, influencing and networking
• Relevant experience and expertise in addressing gender-based violence particularly in humanitarian setting
• Experience in participatory methodologies and humanitarian setup

Qualifications/ experience desirable:

• Knowledge of current national and international gender and inclusion issues, policies, strategies in humanitarian and development context

• Understanding of education strategies in EiE.

• Understanding gender, diversity and inclusion related challenges and strategies to address barriers to access LtP

• Working knowledge of Child Protection and Education in Emergencies programming.
• Progressive experience working for INGOs
• Familiarity with Lego Foundation guidelines and requirements

Knowledge of the Minimum Standards

• Knowledge of gender mainstreaming principles
• Knowledge of global inclusion standards in accessing equal and quality education
• Theoretical and practical understanding of gender attitudes and power dynamics, including how these play into accessing quality education
• Ability to fully function in English (verbal and written) in essential. All donor reports, deliverables and communication will be in English.
• Proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database, internet).

Behaviours

• Passion for feminist principles, mission driven work and personal values aligned with Plan International.
• Commitment to working transparently and with integrity.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills, natural ability to manage diverse opinions and agendas, finding win-win solutions in a respectful manner. 
• Demonstrated creativity and willingness to innovate.
• Flexible and adaptable work style to respond to an evolving context.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize and meet deadlines.

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

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

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