Policy and Advocacy Coordinator- Lego PlayMatters Project – Plan International Uganda

Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

ROLE PROFILE

role PURPOSE

Plan International is an independent child rights and humanitarian organisation committed to children living a life free of poverty, violence and injustice.

We actively unite children, communities and other people who share our mission to make positive lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives. We support children to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today and in the future. We place a specific focus on girls and women, who are most often left behind.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 78 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

The Policy and Advocacy Coordinator will provide leadership in Policy and Advocacy work for Plan International Uganda working in collaboration with PlayMatters partners and government stakeholders in the implementation of a 5 years– project– “Play Matters- Sparking Life Long Learning Project funded by the LEGO Foundation. The project is aimed at supporting play-based learning for children aged 3-12 years in refugee and host communities in the West Nile region. The project goal is to see every child inspired by playful learning, in every setting, every day, at school, in the home, and in the community.

Dimensions of the Role

• Ensure inclusion of ECD/ PlayMatters initiatives into existing government-led coordination mechanisms and relevant education sector departments.
• Ensure inclusion of Plan International Uganda’s Early Childhood Development and PlayMatters initiatives into existing government-led coordination mechanisms and relevant education sector departments.
• Identify entry points and support Plan International Uganda’s engagement with PlayMatters Consortium Partners and the respective subsectors in the Ministry of Education and Sports and District Local Governments.
• Representation of the mandate of the ERP/PlayMatters in key strategic platforms to ensure accurate information dissemination and learning exchange.
• Representation of the mandate of Plan International Uganda and PlayMatters in key strategic platforms to ensure accurate information dissemination and learning exchange.
• Support advocacy for Early Childhood Development and Learning through Play in Refugees and host communities in ECCE and other relevant sector policy implementation and prioritization.
• Develop a clear ECCE strategy for ECCE in the ERP II, maintaining the guidance provided in the ESSP and ECCE strategy
• Support mobilization of resources for ECCE in the ERP and track utilization of resources invested, documenting key outcomes and gaps
• Develop a clear ECCE advocacy strategy in the implementation of ERP II, maintaining the guidance provided in the ESSP and ECCE strategy
• H/she will actively represent Plan International Uganda in relevant technical working groups and other fora at National, Regional and International levels
• Support the development of policy briefs, advocacy papers for ECCE and Learning through Play in Refugee and host communities and ensure their dissemination in strategic forums and processes
• Attend meetings and dialogues on behalf of Plan International Uganda and PlayMatters consortium and ensure follow up on key emerging issues.
• Support the Gender Advisor, Accountability Advisor, and Communications team to document Plan International Uganda and PlayMatters outcomes.
• Participate in the review and development of Plan International Uganda and PlayMatters advocacy plan.
• Facilitate Policy dialogues regarding key issues relating to ECCE and Learning through Play (LtP) in pre-primary and primary school education
• Participate in all engagement and lobbying meetings aimed at influencing decisions of ECCE and LtP.
• Participate in all planned meetings and dialogues intended to profile Plan International Uganda and PlayMatters initiatives and LtP approach.

Child Protection and Gender Equality & Inclusion

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Key relationships

• Plan International Uganda Technical Advisor-ECD, Advocacy and Influencing Advisor and Communications Manager
• PlayMatters Project Managers (Plan International Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia)
• PlayMatters Policy and Advocacy Advisors/Coordinators
• Program Area Managers (Plan International Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia)
• PlayMatters Programme Manager (Plan International Denmark)
• PlayMatters Gender Advisor and Accountability Advisor
• PlayMatters Consortium partner focal points (e.g. Project Coordinators)

Leadership and BUSINESS management COMPETENCIES

Leadership COMPETENCIES

• Set and communicate ambitious but realistic work goals and priorities, explaining how these contribute to Plan International’s purpose.
• Set high standards for self and others’ behavior, inside and outside work. Championing our values and commitment to rights, gender equality and safeguarding. Supporting the health, well-being and both physical and psychological safety of our staff, including their safety to speak out.
• Hold self and others to account for what we have agreed, dealing with poor performance quickly, firmly and constructively.
• Create a positive team spirit, helping people work well together, to reflect and continuously improve the efficiency and quality of what we do.
• Collaborate with team members, colleagues and partners in finding creative solutions to problems by sharing information, experience and ideas and actively seeking their input.
• Motivate and developing others by taking an interest, giving constructive feedback and praise, ensuring they are properly trained and helping them utilize their potential.
• Accept change and support others in adjusting to it, helping them understand.

BUSINESS management COMPETENCIES

• Understand relevant sectoral context including how the sector operates in terms of funding and governance and awareness of Plan’s purpose, values, and global strategy
• Manage legal and reputational risk including risk assessment, communication, risk management and reporting in full compliance with risk-related standards, including in areas such as Child and Youth Safeguarding and Protection, Gender equality and inclusion, Counter Fraud, Safety and Security
• Manage activities and resources including skills in strategic thinking, planning and organising, financial planning and monitoring, negotiation and programme and project management
• Manage people and information including skills in assessment and coaching, evidence-based management, communication skills, both speaking and writing, and digital working, including personal digital skills.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (preferred) in Law, Human Rights, Social Sciences or related field.
• At least 3 years’ experience in policy and Advocacy work for education programs in a reputable organization and in both development and humanitarian contexts.
• Demonstrated understanding of environment and current effective practices of Education especially Early Childhood Development in Uganda, including existing networks, CSOs and government stakeholders.
• Demonstrated understanding of gender transformative programming and relevant approaches
• Experience of managing compliance with safeguarding and child protection policies
• Strong verbal communication skills, including networking, negotiating ability and influencing others.
• Capacity to deal with people of diverse cultures.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Computer literate (Microsoft office)
• Self-starter who takes initiative and can work independently and under pressure
• Strong drive for results and ensuring timely execution of tasks
• Strong commitment to inclusion and equity
• Strong sense of ethics and integrity

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

• Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
• Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
• Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
• Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
• Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

• Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
• Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
• Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
• Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Physical Environment

Office based with frequent travel to the project field locations

Level of contact with children

This position has been classified as “Mid contact”: Occasional interaction with children especially when in the field.

Location: Kampala

Type of Role: 1 year

Reports to:Technical Advisor-Early Childhood Development

Grade: C2

Closing Date: 18th August 2021

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