We are currently seeking to recruit a Global Advisor - Education Policy and Strategy.
| | About the Role |
| | Education is a key strategic focus for Plan. Our aim is to draw from our considerable experience in both development and emergency contexts to prominently and significantly contribute to the global education discourse and development agenda. In line with Plan’s global strategy, the Global Advisor-Education Policy & Strategy will lead the development of Plan’s organizational education policy and strategic work, and our positioning, drawing from all parts of Plan’s organizational experience. The postholder will also lead on the development of advocacy messages to promote effective change in education to benefit children both within our programming and globally. The role will develop public and internally-oriented policies, positions and strategies in prioritized education sectors to inform advocacy and programmatic leadership and to place Plan at the forefront of education discourse. Dimensions of Role: - This post has a global remit leading the development of Plan’s education policy and strategic work.
- Budget: for travel, training and research purposes. Approx €80,000.
- Staff numbers:one to two direct reports. Liaise closely with a) colleagues in the Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns team b) Programme and Effectiveness team c) other support staff working globally on education, protection and gender d) the disaster risk management team on education in emergencies and e) the team on research and knowledge management.
- Area of Responsibility: Global education Policy, Programmes and Strategy
- Leadership of Committees:Lead technical networks across all four regions and a significant portion of the 50 Country Offices.Management of the work of the committees to ensure delivery of key tasks on time and on budget
- Liaison with Global specialists , e.g. Gender lead, 50 Country Directors, 4 Regional Directors and up to 20 National Organisations,
Main Responsibilities: The postholder will be responsible for ensuring that; Plan has a global education strategy in place supported by a robust global policy or regional policies - Develop a new education strategy for Plan International to guide our international programmes and advocacy work, working closely with programme teams.
- Provide thought-leadership in education policy, leading Plan's international advocacy and representation on education and child rights.
- Lead the development of global policy briefs and position papers in the field of education and Child-Centred Community Development, with an explicit focus on the integration of gender and protection in the context of education.
- Ensure Plan’s policy work on education is aligned with Plan’s global Gender Equality Policy and that it remains linked to Plan’s programme experience and aligned with Plan’s approach of Child Centred Community Development.
- Monitor and map external and internal opportunities and resources in education policy-based advocacy.
Plan has effective Representation and networking at Global level on - Education policy and strategy - Lead and represent Plan in high level global meetings and forums on education, with an end result in forming strategic partnership with key stakeholders (such as UNICEF, UNESCO, Global Campaign for Education/GCE, and others
- Develop and roll-out a strategy for Plan’s representation in international forums and networks on education and children’s rights, leveraging opportunities to build Plan’s reputation as a thought leader in this field
Plan’s programme staff have access to robust technical support in education and our programmes benefit from appropriate minimum standards being in place - Develop minimum standards in the area of education and drive shared learning and continual improvement across Plan’s programmes
- Identify ‘global programmes’ that can be scaled up either by Plan or other agencies, building on best practice within and without Plan.
- Develop relationships with Plan’s technical advisors working at all levels of the organisation, including National Offices, Country Offices and Programme Units. Ensure networks provide appropriate support to field staff.
- Remain current in external policy, programming and research practice on global education and children’s rights. Maintain a detailed understanding of high impact interventions and key global education players, including INGOs, UN bodies, think tanks, academic and research institutions, and others. Identify new topics for global and regional research in the field of education and support the research functional team with policy direction on the same.
The Education strategy and policy are communicated globally internally and externally - Develop and support the content of high quality and impactful publications on education policy for wide distribution across Plan’s external and internal audiences. Generate and share knowledge of relevance to and from Plan’s education work.
- Ensure that Plan’s campaigns are technically sound in terms of education components: Support the global Because I am a Girl campaign, with relevant research, policy development and publications support (on the linkages between girls’ access and completion of quality secondary education, and child protection in education). Contribute to identification of strategic opportunities for global policy advocacy on girls’ education.
Management of a small team - Recruits, develops and manages a small team, undertaking performance management of the team.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience: Knowledge: - In depth knowledge and understanding of child rights policy and international development programme practice, including identifying high impact interventions.
- In depth understanding of global education policy, and knowledge of key global players.
- Strong network of senior policy makers in the field of education.
- Demonstrated understanding of the realities of field work in different developing countries.
- Demonstrated understanding of the links between gender equality, protection, education, development and children’s rights. Knowledge of gender analysis frameworks and their application to child-rights education programming.
- Masters level education or equivalent
Skills: - Excellent conceptual and analytical skills and strategic capacity
- Highly confident and persuasive public speaker with ability to influence various audiences around policy.
- Strong ability to develop, articulate and communicate policy and theoretical concepts in simple terms and how they translate to practical solutions in education and children’s rights
- Ability to build internal and external networks.
- Highly developed negotiating skills for external and internal application.
- Strong project management and leadership skills.
- Strong gender analysis skills will be an asset.
- Information gathering and assessment skills.
- Fluent in English (both written and verbal). Capacity in French and/or Spanish will be considered an asset.
- Able to work strategically and in partnership with institutional entities, multi-lateral institutions and in influencing policy-makers.
- Demonstrated experience of developing policy and strategies for a large global organization
Behaviours: - Leading and inspiring field programme staff and policy advocacy staff.
- Self-driven, organized, innovative and results-oriented.
- Excellent people skills.
- Good listening skills and capacity to work effectively with others at all levels, including senior policy makers and junior field staff.
- Highly respectful of others. Committed to Plan’s values of empowerment and participation.
- Ability to work in a matrix environment, and facilitate the linkages of relevant expertise; this includes capacity to work collaboratively and be supportive of multiple team members, modelling team-friendly behaviour.
- Strong network building, influencing and motivational skills.
Languages: Excellent written and spoken English required. Location and Travel: This role will be based in a typical office environment in Woking, UK (alternative work locations may be considered). International travel will be required to Plan regions and National Offices (approximately 30% of the time) and also to international education focus meetings. Type of Role: Permanent Reports to: Matrix Management - Director of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns, with Director of Programme and Effectiveness Grade: 5 Salary: Circa £53, 000 per annum Closing Date: Friday 29th June 2012
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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.
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Global Advisor - Education Policy and Strategy
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