Global Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager

Plan is one of the oldest and largest children's development organisations in the world. We work in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas to promote child rights to end child poverty. Plan's vision is of a world in which all children realise their full potential in societies that respect people's rights and dignity, our aim is to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of deprived children in developing countries. Plan is independent, with no religious, political or governmental affiliations. We are looking for a Global Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation manager, working in the Programme Effectiveness Team, to lead the development and strengthen the implementation of Plan’s global system for programme country planning, monitoring and evaluation – the Programme Accountability and Learning System (PALS).

The Programme Effectiveness Team is a 5 person team based at Plan’s International Headquarters committed to strengthening Plan’s Programme Effectiveness through supporting Programme Countries in their Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and leading global initiatives to assess Plan’s Programme Effectiveness.

About the role

• Reports to the Manager of the Programme Effectiveness team, one of eight teams in the Programme function at Plan’s International Headquarters. • Manages the process to set global policy for country level programme planning, monitoring and evaluation processes (the Programme Accountability and Learning System) and has individual responsibility for up to £50k to support PALS development and implementation. • Provides a strategic overview of the implementation of PALS across Plan’s 50 Programme Countries across 4 Regions, to inform system development and capacity building initiatives. • Manages the Programme and Projects Module (PPM) Business Lead who ensures that Plan’s ICT systems support the planning, monitoring and evaluation processes described in PALS. Ensures PALS is integrated with other organisational systems and benefits from external best practice. • Strengthens the monitoring, evaluation and research network across the organization across Plan’s 50 programme countries, 4 regional offices and 20 national organizations. • Actively works with and contributes to the wider work of the Programme Effectiveness team to further develop and implement Plan’s strategies and initiatives on effectiveness.

Main responsibilities

• Ensure Plan’s planning, monitoring and evaluation processes described in PALS meet the sector standards and comply with external accountability requirements. • Design and manage process for approving Country Strategies by global programme leadership team (Programme Operations Leadership Team) • Collate PALS data from all countries for both external and internal audiences as required: Identify and respond to information requirements of different stakeholders and make information accessible on timely basis. • Participate in external NGO fora on Monitoring and Evaluation to ensure Plan processes reflect sector best practice • Provide quality guidance to programme countries in implementing PALS processes • Provide high quality accessible training staff across the organization ranging from a basic understanding to specific training on key PALS and effectiveness processes.
• Manage and promote an online platform for PALS learning on Plan’s intranet as an accessible resource for guidance on programme planning, monitoring and evaluation and as a forum for discussion on key issues and innovations. • Support the roll-out of Plan’s programme related ICT system, ensuring that clear guidance is in place to support quality programme information for informed management decision-making • Facilitating the PALS network across programme countries, regional offices and national organisations to promote good practice and identify ways to strengthen PALS and wider effectiveness processes . • Work with National Organisation Programme Directors to align corporate and large institutional donor monitoring and evaluation requirements to PALS processes. • Collaborate with other functions (sponsorship, finance, risk management) to ensure that PALS processes are integrated across functions. • Work with technical programme specialists – e.g. gender – to ensure that PALS processes incorporate guidance in the respective areas.

About you

• Masters level or equivalent degree or senior level experience in the field of development monitoring and evaluation or other relevant field. • Strong understanding of field level realities of NGO development work. • Thorough understanding of current international development trends, child rights programming and the global aid effectiveness agenda • An understanding of and commitment to the aims and values of Plan. • Experience in developing corporate systems for planning, monitoring and evaluation in large/complex organisations. • Strong organisational and project management skills • Experience in translating business processes into technical ICT systems corporate systems for planning, monitoring and evaluation. • Up-to-date knowledge and experience of data analysis techniques/packages and skill in administrating MS Sharepoint sites. • Excellent written communications and experience of producing high quality guidelines. • Ability to use a variety of technological tools to coordinate/inform/build network of experts across the organization • Ability to manage staff remotely. • Ability to form strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures. • Experience of working in developing countries desirable • Fluent in English • Second Language desirable (preferably French or Spanish)

Location and Travel

The post will be based at Plan International headquarters in Woking Surrey with International travel of about 20%.

How to apply:

Please submit a full CV and a comprehensive cover letter setting out your reasons for applying for the post and outlining the qualifications experience knowledge and skills that you feel you can bring to the role to:- recadmin@plan-international.org The closing date for applications is Monday 12th December 2011

Please quote reference number IH068

Reference and background checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all areas of the international community.