Plan International - Country Director Mali

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Country director - MAli November 2020

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Plan International Country Director Mali

About Plan International Plan International is a rights-based development and humanitarian organisation with the purpose to strive for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

• Empower children, young people especially girls and communities to make vital changes that tackle the root causes of discrimination against girls, exclusion and vulnerability; • Drive change in practice and policy at local, national and global levels through our reach, experience and knowledge of the realities children face; • Work with children and communities to prepare for and respond to crisis and to overcome adversity; • Support the safe and successful progression of children from birth to adulthood • Work with communities and national institutions/organizations to build their capacities and enable them to be active drivers of the change they desire Plan is independent of government and has no political or religious affiliation. Plan has been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years and is now active in more than 70 countries.

Plan International Country Director Mali

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Plan International Mali Plan International started its work in Mali in 1976, there are currently three active programme Implementation and Influencing Areas: Kita, Bougouni, Dioila.

Humanitarian response work is coordinated from two programmes offices in Timbuktu and Mopti, the geographical positioning in the humanitarian context will be certainly influenced by the current crisis of covid-19.

After the merger with BORNEfonden in July 2018, Plan International Mali has undertaken a transformation which has led to the restructuring of the country office and the field offices.

Plan International Mali’s Country Strategy cycle (2019-2023) is: • Early Childhood and Development • Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and the elimination of gender-based violence, particularly FGM, child marriage and child pregnancy • Youth employment and entrepreneurship, with a focus on young women

Skilled and competent staff have been deployed in the field offices to engage the feminist leadership approach though programming and influencing works and empowering the field through decentralisation of authority, bringing projects and programmes closer to the communities.

Plan International Mali country strategic goal for the period of July 2019 to June 2023 is “Vulnerable and excluded Malian girls grow up healthily and equally cared for through their early years and receive the protection and support needed to make autonomous and healthy decisions on their sexuality and reproductive health as adolescents and youth.”

Plan International Country Director Mali

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The Role Title:

Country Director Mali

Reporting to:

Sub -Regional Director for SAHEL Countries

Travel:

25%

Location:

Bamako, Mali

Salary:

Competitive

Start date:

TBC

Dimensions of the role • Leadership, management and development of Mali team in full compliance with local laws and Plan International policies and standards.

• Lead the implementation of the Country Strategy, and the Annual Planning and Budgeting exercise.

• Ensuring high quality programme work is delivered with the maximum involvement of children and young people as actors following Plan International’s Program Quality Procedures (PQP).

• Accurate and timely disbursement of the agreed Country Office Budget including all donor commitments.

• Growing and managing a grant portfolio to ensure that funds are raised in a timely manner for key project responses.

• Ensuring readiness to emergencies is built into all programme planning, and lead emergency response interventions when need arises.

• Representation of Plan International Mali, its work and its values to the authorities and key decision-makers.

• Maintain good working relationships with Government authorities ensuring the compliance with laws and regulations whilst achieving Plan International's strategic priority goals.

• As a member of the Regional Leadership Team, the Country Director of Mali is expected to contribute to the overall learning and strategic direction within the region.

Plan International Country Director Mali

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Main Responsibilities • Leadership, management and development of Mali team in full compliance with local laws and Plan International policies and standards.

• Lead the implementation of the Country Strategy, and the Annual Planning and Budgeting exercise.

• Ensuring high quality programme work is delivered with the maximum involvement of children and young people as actors following Plan International’s Program Quality Procedures (PQP).

• Accurate and timely disbursement of the agreed Country Office Budget including all donor commitments.

• Growing and managing a grant portfolio to ensure that funds are raised in a timely manner for key project responses.

• Ensuring readiness to emergencies is built into all programme planning, and lead emergency response interventions when need arises.

• Representation of Plan International Mali, its work and its values to the authorities and key decisionmakers.

• Maintain good working relationships with Government authorities ensuring the compliance with laws and regulations whilst achieving Plan International's strategic priority goals.

• As a member of the Regional Leadership Team, the Country Director of Mali is expected to contribute to the overall learning and strategic direction within the region.

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Plan International Country Director Mali

Required Skills and Qualifications Essential • Knowledge of programming in complex and protracted environments with good understanding and appreciation of the historical, security context, political environment, economic, social/religious and humanitarian context in Mali or a comparable fragile state.

• Demonstrable experience of overseeing, managing and disbursing portfolios exceeding US$20,000,000.

• Excellent written and spoken skills in English and French for the development of proposals and the review of reports.

• A minimum of 10 years of exercising leadership functions with increasing responsibility in an international environment related to development.

• Experience and understanding of the nexus concept in development programming and humanitarian response including social cohesion.

• Proven understanding of “gender equality and inclusion in development” concepts and the promotion of girls’ rights in the context of relevant International Conventions (Convention of the Rights of the Child, Convention for the Eradication of Discrimination against Women) and the Global Goals (SDGs).

• Knowledge of the donor context in the country/region/globally and requirements of donor compliance and financial management.

• Knowledge of political-economy context and sensitivities; geopolitical factors affecting child-poverty and the political, social and environmental opportunities for change is an advantage.

• Demonstrable knowledge, because of study, training or practical experience, on the key debates in development and emergency response methods and effectiveness, particularly about rights-based programming for child rights.

• Experience and understanding of the concepts of sustainable community development and participatory approaches and practice in development interventions.

• Experience and Relevant University degree in development, social science, business administration or related field.

Desirable • Proven skills in the development and management of effective and motivated teams, including remote management.

• Effective working with and through partners.

• Proven negotiation skills with Governmental and non-Governmental actors.

• Communications, comfortable with the media, presenting and arguing a case • Proven analytical skills in isolating priorities and tackling them.

• Experience of designing, implementing and monitoring transformational programmes.

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Plan International Country Director Mali

How to apply All correspondence, at this stage, should be via Oxford HR. To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button in the job advert page and complete our online application form. Please provide a CV and cover letter in ONE single document, which should be prepared before applying as they will be requested in the application process.

The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

The document should be saved in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document Name-Date (yymm) e.g: Sarah Brown CV and Statement-1808.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy.

Timeline Closing date:

30th November 2020

Equality statement Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for. Plan as an organisation is based on a culture of inclusivity and strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas. Plan will provide equality of opportunity and will not tolerate discrimination on any grounds. Plan fosters an organisational culture that embraces and exemplifies our commitment to gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion while supporting staff to adopt good practice, positive attitudes and principles of gender equality and inclusion.

Selection process All candidates will be notified about the status of their applications. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undertake an additional assessment prior to the final interview.

Queries If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email: PlanCD-Mali@ oxfordhr.co.uk in the first instance.

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Plan International Country Director Mali

aBOUT OXFORD HR Oxford HR operates globally - mainly within the international development and charity sectors. We carry out retained executive search mandates at board and senior management levels. We also offer human resource and organisational development consultancy.

Oxford HR has many years of experience in search as well as an extensive network of international development, social sector, corporate, public sector, and academic contacts from across the world. We carry out comprehensive and often international searches designed to meet the specific needs of our clients.

Oxford HR’s team members have significant personal experience of working in international development and the social sector as well as the corporate and governmental sectors. We are in a unique position to find and assess talented individuals from a variety of backgrounds.

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