The Organization :

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization 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.

The Opportunity :

Reporting to the Strategic partnership and Advocacy Manager, the Economic Empowerment Programme Advisor will be responsible for operationalizing Plan’s country and global strategies and policies related to economic empowerment, particularly in the area of micro finance, skill building, and micro & small enterprises. This will include developing innovative programme designs, representation of Plan in relevant forums, providing technical guidance to programme implementation teams & documentation of processes and approaches that Plan uses at the central level.

Dimensions of Role :

• This position has no direct reports, but may need to manage short term consultants or interns periodically ;
• This position has limited budget management responsibilities ;
• This position supports high quality programme implementation by working with program quality and delivery unit and Program Units/Areas ;
• Represents Plan at national and oversees stakeholder forums, networks, coalitions, etc related to economic empowerment ;
• Support reinforcement of Economic Empowerment mechanisms in/out of Plan.

Typical Responsibilities – Key End Results of Position :

Program Design :

• Lead the design of innovative projects and programs to address community issues in relation to the economic empowerment in collaboration with Programme Unit/Area (PU/PA) offices and relevant departments at the Country Office in line with the Plan Egypt Country Strategy Paper. This will include but not be limited to developing logical frameworks and concept notes ;
• Lead design of economic empowerment program package, guidelines and manuals that are aligned with Plan Egypt country strategic plans and facilitate operationalization of Plan Egypt’s strategic objectives ;
• To work with the Business Development unit to raise funds for projects with particular focus on women and youth ;
• Ensure the mainstreaming of Sponsorship commitments, protection and gender standards and any other relevant corporate guidelines in the design of project proposals ;
• To act as resource person in the organization for economic empowerment and keep oneself up to date with developments happening in this field both nationally and internationally.

Strategic Partnership & Policy Advocacy :

• Develop strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximize impact of Plan’s work ;
• Develop and implement policy advocacy plan which includes partnership mainstreaming in collaboration with PU/PA and Programme Quality and Design Unit (PQ&D) to ensure active, meaningful and continuous relationship ;
• Develop and implement policy advocacy action plan related to economic empowerment theme with particular focus on youth and women, using all relevant tools and techniques. This will include, but not be limited to, developing policy briefs, advocacy messages, organizing conferences and seminars, at the national level etc ;
• To routinely develop and submit progress reports, status updates and briefs on emerging issues to relevant team members ;
• Lead in formulating country specific policies, strategies and objectives on economic empowerment for quality programming ;
• To represent the organization at different national and oversees forums & platforms in relevant area.

Technical support :

• Build the capacity of Plan staff, and strategic partners at national level to promote strengthening of systematic economic empowerment forums between civil society /plan and the government ;
• Provide technical recommendations to improve the design of any project or program to ensure that they meet the quality standards ;
• Provide demand driven technical support to PQ&D unit and Program Units/Areas to ensure high quality programme implementation. This will include designing, conducting and coordinating training programmes for plan staff, technical field visits, development and dissemination of guidance material to plan staff, etc.

Program Reporting and Documentation :

• To document the lessons learned and accumulative experience of economic empowerment activities ;
• To Share and disseminate the information within the impact areas.

Dealing with Problems :

Application of knowledge required for the role, complexity of problems handled & the degree of investigation, analysis, & creative thinking required to solve them :

• Ability to resolve a wide range of challenges related to child rights and economic empowerment programing ;
• Provide leadership and guidance on child rights and economic empowerment   programs.

Communications and Working Relationships :

• The Program Advisor will report directly to the Strategic partnership and Advocacy Manager ;
• Advocacy Communication Coordinator – High level ;
• Strategic  economic empowerment  partners at national level – High level ;
• Project coordinators/managers – Medium level ;
• Sponsorship staff – Medium level ;
• Program areas/units staff Medium level ;
• Monitoring and Evaluation staff – High level ;
• BD Manager and Associate — High Level .

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

Knowledge :

• A Master Degree in economy or equivalent qualification in relevant field ;
• A minimum of 5 years relevant work experience at a similar level in the field of economic empowerment. With proven track record in working with saving groups, micro/small enterprise development or skill building ;
• Understanding of integrated development issues and critical analysis of quality of education ;
• Knowledge of strategic planning processes and theories of economic empowerment ;
• In depth Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges and opportunities and implications to economic empowerment programs.

Skills :

• Proven ability to develop project concept notes ;
• Excellent networking and partnership building skills ;
• Research, analytical and problem solving skills ;
• Excellent  communication, facilitation and professional writing skills ;
• Strong negotiating, strategic thinking and influencing skills ;
• MS office skills.

Behaviors (Plan International’s Values in Practice) :

We are open and accountable :

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

We strive for lasting impact :

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

We work well together :

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

We are inclusive and empowering :

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate ;
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals ;
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.Engages and works well

Physical Environment and Demands : Typical office environment but with at least 25% time in the field including community visits.

Level of Contact with Children :

Mid Contact – Occasional Contact with children.

Type of Role : One year fixed term contract

Location : Country office – Maadi

Reports to : Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy Manager

Closing Date : 2nd of April 2019

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

Please note that only applications and CVs written in English will be accepted.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Child Protection Policy.

As an international child centered community development organization, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realization of children’s rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.

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 organization, do everything we can to keep children safe. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk. 

Plan International operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all areas of the international community.