Senior Program Manager Early Childhood Care And Development (ECCD)

Plan is an international humanitarian, child centered community development organization without religious, political or governmental affiliation. Plan’s vision is a world in which all children realize their full potential in societies that respect people’s rights and dignity.

Working with children, their families and communities in 46 of the world’s poorest countries, Plan today is one of the world’s largest international development organizations, committed to the well being of children and to support the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Plan is an equal opportunity employer. In Vietnam, Plan works in partnership with local people, organizations and government bodies at all levels.

With an annual budget of over 14 million USD, we are expanding our programs in Vietnam and looking for experienced, qualified and motivated Vietnamese candidates who are committed to working long-term for the following position - OPEN FOR EXPAT also.

Senior Program Manager Early Childhood Care And Development (ECCD)

Main responsibilities:

*Job purpose:

The Senior Program Manager Early Childhood Care and development (ECCD) will manage a team of sector or thematic Program Managers in the Country Office in the design, national level implementation, monitoring and evaluation of related programs, leading to demonstrable outcomes and impact as identified in the Country Program ECCD in Ethnic Group Areas. Being a thought leader on ECCD with sound people-centered team management experience, the Senior Program Manager will be accountable for overall program quality assurance in the program operations, ensuring efficient support to the implementing Program Units and to program partners, programmatic innovation and growth, outcome monitoring and national level networking and advocacy in the context of ECCD.

Responsibilities:
- To assume the overall management of the ECCD Country Program, including:

• Driving new program and project design in collaboration with the CO ECCD Country Program Unit’s program managers
• Assuring supervision of activity (output) and financial planning and management of the related Programs under the ECCD Country Program
• Guaranteeing ECCD Country Program outcome tracking and monitoring, as well as internal and external documentation of achievements and identify viable opportunities for reaching programmatic scale and impact
• Supporting and backstopping Program Managers’ effective grant management and act as key programmatic liaison person to donors and Plan National Offices (NOs)
• Guaranteeing the development of new and high quality program-centered grant proposals within the context of ECCD
• Implementing ECCD Country Program level activities at national level where relevant

- To ensure that all programs and activities under the ECCD Country Program adhere to all right-based approach to development principles and standards
- To assure solid and results-oriented team management of the sector or thematic program managers in the ECCD Country Program Unit
- To develop and implement a system of quality assurance of the overall implementation of the ECCD Country Program
- To ensure positive relationships with and adequate support provision to implementing Plan Vietnam Program Units and program partners
- To provide internal and external thought leadership (thematic expertise) in the area of ECCD, including (but not limited to) through promoting program integration, innovation, presentation of Plan’s work at high level forums and identifying research initiatives
- To develop and lead an internal and external communication plan within the Country Program as to assure Plan’s voice and leadership on ECCD is recognized in Vietnam and beyond – in collaboration with the CO Communications Department
- To lead participatory and evidence-based policy advocacy within the context of ECCD in Vietnam
- To assure setting up or contributing to relevant networking initiatives on ECCD in Vietnam and to pro-actively engage in relationship building with a variety of other actors (from Government to non-state actors)
- To be an active contributor to the Program Department mission and annual key performance objectives
- To provide input as a constructive member of the Program Management Team and as such contribute to Plan in Vietnam’s program quality agenda

Requirements:
- University graduate at Master’s level in a development field related to Early Childhood Care and Development or equivalent through work experience.
- At least 5 years of (senior) program management experience within the development sector, with working experience with international NGOs, donors, government at all levels as well as with non-state actors
- Proven track record in developing publications, documentation, articles and/or successful project proposals
- Demonstrable, progressive experience in planning, research, monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects related to ECCD from a child rights-based perspective
- Experience and sensitivity to gender mainstreaming in programs
- Experience in working with a variety of actors including Government agencies, non-state actors and donors at different levels
- Experience in research, monitoring and evaluation as a core function of progressive development practice
- Experience in coaching, training, and facilitation, working with children and communities and managing child-centered programs and projects would be considered an advantage
- Result-oriented and pro-active management experience, including strong team building and problem-solving skills and attitude
- Broad understanding of the developmental environment in Vietnam and sensitivity to working with partners in a participatory and promotional fashion
- Thorough understanding and application of a rights-based approach to development
- Knowledge of practical lobbying and advocacy tools and commensurate skills in this area, including negotiation skills at an advanced level
- Advanced conceptual and analytical skills in the area of expertise
- Ability to build external relationships and networks at an advanced level
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

A very competitive salary, benefit and career development will be offered for qualified candidates commensurate with the responsibilities and qualifications.

All applications will be treated in strictest confidence. For more information about Plan and e-mail contact please visit our website: http://plan-international.org/where-we-work/asia/vietnam/about-plan/jobs.

Please submit your letter of application (stating clearly the position and based location you want to apply for) and detailed curriculum vitae in English with recent photo together with copies of degrees and certificates and contact numbers by email or post to:

Human Resources Department - Plan in Vietnam
10th floor, 72 Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi, Vietnam
E-mail: [email protected]
Deadline: 4th August 2012

(Plan is an Equal Opportunity Employer)