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Plan , Program Manager Timor Leste

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 and lift millions of children out of 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.

About the role

Plan is working in Timor Leste to develop and run cost effective and high impact programmes in a post conflict environment while actively contributing to the ongoing capacity development of Timorese civil society. Using Child Centred Community Development Approach with a focus on rights-based work, the current programme focuses on a Healthy Start in Life; Right to Protection, Access to Education, and Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development The purpose of this role is to lead the program department ensuring the implementation of high quality programmes in line with the Plan’s Global Strategic Plans and the agreed plans for Timor Leste, while identifying the emergence of future areas of strategic interest.

Main responsibilities

•Reports to the Country Director of Plan Timor-Leste - as with other CMT members, may serve as OIC when CD is out of the country. •Manage and develop the Program Department (35 staff across 3 locations, 1.2M USD budget annually). •Directly supervise 4 national Country Program Managers, 2 international Senior Project Managers, 1 national DRM Manager and 1 national Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Coordinator. •Member of Country Management Team. •Reports on the performance of program implementation to the Country Director and CMT on monthly basis.

Typical Responsibilities

High Performing Programme Management Team is operating effectively and transparently: •TOR for the team and KPIs •Individual management and KPIs •Individual learning and development needs mapped out •Talent brought forward •Risks managed – eg, child protection. •Budget regularly monitored and effectively managed.

A clearly structured Programs Department is delivering effective work and planning for the future in partnership with others: •Developing and resourcing clear short to medium term operational plans for each program area. •Development of resourcing plans (HR and funding) is in place for the delivery of each Country Program Plan, including consideration for capacity development of program staff and program implementation partners, with any gaps in capacity addressed by ensuring adequate technical support/advice is provided through other sources within Plan globally (e.g. NO or RO specialists). •Developing strong and effective partnerships. •The Program Department is comprised of well-managed high performance teams delivering to the top of their ability, who are accountable for achieving the objectives set out in each Country Program Plan.
•Delivering effective capacity building support in key areas for both programme and risk management to Plan’s staff and partners. •Networking effectively with others to draw information and knowledge for the development of project inputs and strategy development •Support development of grants proposals to donors and resource mobilisation.

Realistic emergency preparedness and business continuity plans are in place and regularly reviewed: •Supervising the process of involving staff and partners in effective planning •Review of documentation for submission to CMT and IH •Systematic review •Contributing staff to global roster.

Research, Monitoring and Evaluation systems are working to assist programme knowledge and learning and contributing to Plan’s understanding of its impact •Systems running demonstrate that the majority of annual program budget is spent on direct program implementation activities, including payments to partners and/or community-based organizations (as demonstrated by field expense ratio). •Documenting the planned delivery in relation to Plan’s global and local strategic intentions •Delivery of programs is monitored on at least a quarterly basis (based on standards of accountability, effectiveness and efficiency as outlined in the MER framework), with key learning incorporated into revised program designs and operational plans. •Collective and informed decisions are made by the CMT on major issues related to program strategy and implementation.

Physical Environment and Demands:

Based in the country office located in Dili, with extensive domestic (approximately 40-50 %) and some international travel. •Ability to live and work in a hardship country i.e. security risks; unstable electricity and water systems; limited access to health care; etc •Ability to travel to remote areas

About you

Knowledge •Demonstrable knowledge as a result of study, training or practical experience on the key debates in both development and emergency response methods and effectiveness; •Project Cycle Management; •Knowledge of the requirements of donor compliance and financial management; •Practical knowledge of rights-based development approaches; •Practical knowledge of Child Rights and Child Protection in the development/emergency contexts and advantage; •Knowledge of programming in post-conflict environments where local capacity issues can affect performance an advantage; •Knowledge of Timor-Leste an advantage: the geopolitical factors affecting child-poverty and the situation of youth in the country and the political, social and environmental opportunities for change is an advantage; an appreciation of the historical, security context, political environment, economic, social/religious and humanitarian context in Timor-Leste or a comparable environment.

Skills specific to the job •You will be a skilled manager able to lead your team with clear performance indicators. •You will need proven facilitation skills and sensitivity to the fragile nature of a post-conflict society. •Demonstrated speaking and writing skills in English (report writing, proposal and concept paper writing). •You will have developed skills in all aspects of participatory community development programming. •You will be able to demonstrate an ability to develop effective advocacy from the experience programme work. •You will be comfortably skilled with computers both in generating work, storing data and researching and using internet to support programming. •Networking experience with development organizations in the country and at the international level. •Knowledge of Timor Leste languages would be advantage

Leadership Behaviors •Ability to maintain strategic vision and link with everyday work. •Creates strong sense of purpose within own part of the business and with stakeholders. •Creates and delivers outcomes in complex partnerships, keeping key stakeholders on board (particularly important due to grant-funding). •Effective communicator that builds relationships in order to influence others. •Proactively organizes and manages performance of individual and teams. •Accountability and responsibility for own decisions. •Cross-culturally adept. •Demonstrate high degree of professionalism and integrity. •Confident in taking initiative and exploring new opportunities. •Able to identify and manage risks to the organisation. •Assertive. •Strives for high performance and involves others in setting and achieving goals. •Holds self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and standards of behaviour. •Interrogates work effectiveness and finds better ways of working. •Alert to risks to program delivery inside and outside the organisation and is ready to make decisions. •Can reach out and influence large groups of people. •Can communicate effectively with children and young people. •Develops mutual trusting relationships with staff and partners. •Sets a strong learning culture in their part of the organisation and uses opportunities to develop others. •Expert coach, equally at home with high performers and those in difficulty. •Remains calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations. •Aware of impact on others and adjusting own behaviour accordingly. •Can lead change while keeping staff and partners on board.

Please quote reference number AR027

References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism 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.

How to apply:

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