ASEAN Safe School Initiative (ASSI) Adviser

Purpose Working in 50 developing countries across Asia, Africa and the Americas, Plan aims to reach as many children as possible, particularly those who are excluded or marginalized with high quality programs that deliver long lasting benefits by increasing its income, working in partnership with others and operating effectively.

Plan Asia Regional Office is a member of an INGO consortium called the AADMER (ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response) Partnership Group (APG), led by Oxfam GB and comprising of Save the Children, World Vision, Child Fund, Help Age, Mercy Malaysia and Plan International. This consortium has developed a work plan that aims to strengthen ASEAN in implementing AADMER. The implementation of Safe School activities and the integration of DRR in Education have been identified as two sub-components of the AADMER Work Programmes 2010-2015.

Plan has been nominated to lead the APG ASEAN Safe School Initiative (ASSI). An Advisor for ASSI is needed for a fixed period of time to manage all stakeholder relationships, secure funding, deliver Plan’s and the consortium members’ strategic and operational priorities according to the initiative and to lead on the development and implementation of an innovative and quality programme which is shared within the region and beyond. This role will include securing appropriate funding for ASSI. Upon securing such funding the APG will members will recruit a Project Management Team which will supersede this post.

The specific objectives of ASSI are SO1: Increased funding, tools, local expertise and guidance for Safe Schools Initiatives in ASEAN region and SO2:- : Improved capacities at national level through inter-agency collaboration and the use of Comprehensive School Safety Framework.

ASSI has been endorsed and approved by ASEAN. This post will oversee the development of specific funding proposals to prospective donors and facilitate the recruitment of the Project Management Team in coordination with the other ASSI member organisations.

Achievement of the above deliverables will require full consultation and involvement with Institutional Donors, Plan National Organisations (NOs) ASEAN Secretariat, APG members, ASEAN Member States, and other stakeholders relevant to Safe Schools programming in ASEAN region.

In addition, the postholder will be expected to liaise closely with the Plan International ARO Safe School Project Adviser and will share responsiblity for ensuring that the ASSI initiative is aligned with Plan’s Safe Schools work in the Asia region and that the learning from this is embedded into Plan’s DRR Programs.

Key deliverables: • Finalise all consortium arrangements including sign off by all ASSI partners –February • Conduct and document a full donor mapping as preparation for a full funding strategy –March • Strongly qualify all existing ASSI funding pipeline opportunities ( when they are due; how much; what needs to happen to secure grants; % confidence of funding being made available) • Review all project documents to Prepare/revise work plans and budgets contingent upon available funding scenarios (Scenario 1:- Current funding; Scenarion2- pipeline funding; Scenario 3- Best Case Scenario) such that a high quality program is designed according to available funding –March
• Consolidate ASSI master budget according to the above plans –March/April
• Secure agreement on prioritizing and funding of staffing for the Programme Management Team from all members including the APG RGB –March • Revise country level project plans and budgets, including supporting Plan Country Offices to develop their ASSI related strategies –March/April • Agree, resource and initiate a 12-month work plan – April • Secure significant funding from new sources (minimum 5 million USD secured with a further 5 – 7 million identified and qualified) –April • Reschedule ASSI Inception Workshop with ASEC and APG contingent to available funding • Report progress regularly ( every 2 weeks) to ARO DRM Manager

Dealing with Problems: • Engaging with donors and representing the organisation in a professional manner which reflects positively on Plan as an organisation; • Communicates effectively and keeps line management informed of all significant issues • Consortium agreements detailing the roles and responsibilities of Country leads and acceptable to all partners are developed, agreed and managed. • Managing highly complex partnerships at various levels that require sensitive handling. • Coordinating with multiple stakeholders at different levels on a consortium-based initiative

Communications and Working Relationships: Internal: • Excellent working relationships will need to be built with the ARO DRM Team, National Organization counterparts, the Country Directors and Country Management Teams, IH and the other Regional Office counterparts. External: • Maintaining and managing strategic relationships with the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management, donors as well with the NDMO of ASEAN Member States • Strategic partner relationship building and coordination with international and national NGO partners, UN agencies, and other actors.

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

Knowledge: • Knowledge of bi-lateral, multi-lateral and other institutional donors • Knowledge in DRR programmes and plans in ASEAN Member States, preferably on integrating DRR in the education sector • Knowledge and understanding of humanitarian and longer term development approaches, including Plan’s CCCD approach.
• Demonstrable understanding of programme & community development issues, with experience of or ability to work directly with NGOs in risk reduction • Understanding of humanitarian and development issues in ASEAN region • Knowledge of ASEAN working practices and culture. Skills: • Strong , senior level negotiation skills • Program design, budgeting and reporting skills • Writing successful proposals for large grants from Institutional Donors. • Fluency in spoken and written English. • Coordinating multiple stakeholders. • Balancing conflicting priorities whilst adhering to Plan’s internal policies and priorities • Planning and organising. • Lobbying and advocacy. • Supporting resource mobilisation. • Presentation and facilitation skills. • Culturally aware and respectful of diversity. • Able to work with people and build relationships at different levels.

Experience: • Experience in securing multi-million dollar funding from institutional donors • Significant experience working in complex, partnerships and consortium programs. • Significant experience in program development and managing partners. • Significant experience in DRR of at least five years, in particular Safe Schools programs in the ASEAN region. • Proven management experience with a minimum of 5 years field experience. • Plan International is seeking expressions of interest from experienced consultants, ideally a national from one of the ASEAN countries, but as a minimum must be currently based within ASEAN

Behaviour: • Adheres to Plan’s mission, vision, policies and practices • Holds self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and standards of behaviour • Involves others in setting and achieving goals • Makes a strong contribution to Plan’s wider strategy • Sees contribution of own part of the organisation in wider Plan and external context • Balances future vision with practical delivery • Sound judgement and decision-making in complex situations • Effective communicator: supporting learning in diverse teams • Cross culturally adept • Can reach out and positively influence large groups of people at different levels internal and external to the organisation • Sets a strong learning culture in their part of the organisation • Aware of impact on others and adjusting own behaviour accordingly • Has a positive impact on those around them • Strives for high performance. • Demonstrates strategic thinking and innovation. • Capacity to adapt to different audiences and structures • Excellent written and oral communication, representation and influencing skills. • Demonstrates high degree of self awareness and resilience. • Self-starter able to work autonomously with minimal direct supervision.

Physical Environment and Demands: • The position will be based in one of Plan’s country offices in South East Asia.

• There is an expectation that the post holder will travel at least 40% of the time within and outside the region.

How to apply:

Should you be interested in these positions, please submit a cover letter, comprehensive CV and Proposal for the work indicating planned approach and costs. By February 19, 2014,5.00pm local time to:PlanAsia.JobVacancies@plan-international.org Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. Plan takes active measures in recruitment and employment to ensure children are protected. Plan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. www.plan-international.org