ROLE PROFILE

Plan International’s global strategy is based on gender transformative programming and influencing. Gender transformative programming and influencing tackles the root causes of gender inequality and reshapes unequal power relations. It focuses not only on providing equal opportunities and outcomes for all, but on removing the barriers that keep girls from achieving their full potential and exercising their rights.

The global strategy prioritizes sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) as one of its key thematic areas. We want to see that children and young people can have control of their lives and bodies, and make decisions about their sexuality, including whether, when and whom to marry and whether, when and by what means to have a child, free from discrimination, coercion and violence.  Our programme and influencing responses include youth-led advocacy, comprehensive sexuality education, social norm change, and strengthening adolescent-responsive health systems. We work at multiple levels, and across multiple sectors.

PURPOSE AND DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

The Technical Specialist will work as part of an international team to strengthen Plan International’s gender transformative programming on adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights in East and Southern Africa and globally. The Specialist is expected to provide technical and strategic support to Ethiopia, Mozambique and Uganda with the focus on joint programme with Plan International Finland.

The role will be expected to keep up to date with SRHR developments in the target countries and in the region, and to communicate with programme teams and networks to ensure that our programme work is continually improving and reflects current best practices.

The technical specialist will work in close collaboration with Plan International's SRHR Area of Global Distinctiveness. The role would liaise with Plan International’s gender and SRHR technical staff in country, regional, and national offices and the Global Hub. The post holder may also represent Plan International in various external networks to develop strategic relationships with stakeholders, including government officials, legislators, UN agencies and development partner staff, to position Plan International as an influential leader in SRHR, girls’ rights and gender equality.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Testing and rolling out Plan International's guidance and tools on gender transformative programming and influencing and SRHR.
• Working alongside a selected number of programmes in Ethiopia, Mozambique and Uganda to provide deeper technical support on gender transformative SRHR.
• Development of training manuals, guidance documents, and toolkits on adolescent SRHR.
• Development of capacity building plans and providing training, coaching and mentorship on gender transformative SRHR to program staff and partners.
• Identifying and building opportunities and new partnerships to advance adolescent SRHR and girls’ rights in the target countries.
• Mapping and analysing operational contexts and trends to inform programme development.
• Documenting and facilitating consistent learning and sharing of good practices among staff and partners.
• Contributing to Plan International’s regional and global SRHR and gender networks.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

• Educated to University Degree or equivalent in relevant field or relatable experience.
• At least 8 years proven experience within the development sector in sexual and reproductive health and rights (experience in both development and humanitarian setting desirable).
• Strong expertise on gender transformative programming and good understanding on intersectionality and inclusion.
• Experience in providing technical support and oversight to adolescent programmes .
• Experience in capacity development of project staff; strong facilitation and training skills.
• Strategic thinking and analytical skills, and ability to seek practical solutions.
• Adjusting approaches, communication style and behaviour to work effectively across cultures and with diverse stakeholders, communities and technical teams.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, a variety of team members and external contacts, through good written and spoken communication skills.
• Ability to plan work and meet deadlines when working under pressure on several projects.
• Commitment to Plan’s values and positions including the rights and needs of children and SRHR.
• Experience of working for an international organisation (desirable).
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken; Portuguese is an asset.

Location and duration of the contract:

The position is based in Plan International’s Country Office in one of the following locations: Kampala, Uganda; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; or Maputo, Mozambique. Employment terms will be as per local conditions and you must have the right to work in that country. This is a Fixed Term Contract until the end of December 2021 with a possibility of extension.