Plan International recruits 01 Gender Officer

Gender Officer

Location: Bamenda/Buea, NW, CM

Company: Plan International

Plan International is an independent non-profit development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. However, these are often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. In addition, it is 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. Moreover, 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 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Post title: Gender Officer-GAC MHD

Department: Emergency Response

Type of Contract : Staff contract

Duration : 09 months

Duty station : Bamenda / Buea

Reports to : Project Manager – GAC MHD

Grade : B

Start time : June 2020

Purpose

The Gender Officer in Emergency is responsible for gender mainstreaming and proactive technical support to the project. The Officer will work with all departments and partners to ensure that gender equity principles are incorporated into all project activities. The Officer will plan, implement and follow up on gender-related activities and provide support to counterpart staff and partners on mainstreaming gender in their project activities, including design and implementation of training on gender-related topics. Provide support, training and technical assistance to other project staff and to partners on gender and related topics. Ensure gender integration in the day to day activities. Provide support to all departments specific to gender mainstreaming, with particular emphasis on helping relevant departments analyze program implications for men and women in various project communities and ways to address issues

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization 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 its girls who are most affected.

Working in 52 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, Plan International 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.  With funding support from GAC MHD, Plan International will carried out a CPiE/WASH project for crisis affected people in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon. Plan International Cameroon is seeking to recruit an experience professional to fulfil the position of Gender Officer in Emergencies based at Bamenda/Buea to deliver the major tasks outlined below:

The main areas of accountability and responsibility of this post is to support implementation of the CPiE/WASH project of Plan International-GAC MHD project in 15 communities in the Mezam and Fako divisions of North west and South West Cameroon. Details:

The Officer will provide technical support to mainstream gender in across project activities, including development of gender mainstreaming strategy.

The Officer will support the development of new projects.

The Officer will ensure gender is integrated into the M&E processes.

The Officer will ensure gender transformative strategies are implemented in all project activities.

The Officer will ensure all project staff are aware of PII Cameroon’s gender transformative process.

The Officer will assess the level of acceptance of each staff member of the gender transformation process.

In collaboration with the Media and Communication Coordinators, the Officer will formulate key gender messages and targets from lessons learned, assessments, research and evidence gained through project implementation.

The Officer will acquire information and understanding of key gender issues in the country particularly in the NW/SW, focusing on boys and girls (e.g GBV, Early Child Marriage, SRH etc) and adapt strategies as necessary.

The Officer will build the capacity of key project staffs and community volunteers including the Child Protection Committees, Adolescent Clubs, Community Focal Points and Foster Parents on gender.

The Officer will provide inputs into assessment, analysis and documentation that underpin evidence for gender based activities and influencing in the project.

The Officer will maintain a strong relationship with other Gender related staff across Plan International Cameroon.

The Officer will develop and maintain a network of external contacts with key individuals in the government, NGO sector, civil society and the media particularly working on gender issues and participate in gender working group meetings.

The Officer will ensure report on child and young people safeguarding issues in the assigned project locations.

The Officer will take part in community-based mobilization and sensitization meetings and introduce the project to target communities.

The Officer will perform other tasks, as required, to ensure the smooth running of the project.

Qualification, skills and Experience

University degree, or equivalent practical experience in interdisciplinary areas within human rights, social science, international development and program leadership.

At least two (2) years of demonstrable experience in development work, preferably in humanitarian context.

Strong skills on proposal writing, monitoring and reporting.

Strong social mobilization skills.

Good communication and facilitation skills.

Strong understanding of gender equality programing and meaningful child participation.

Knowledge of development challenges and contexts in NW/SW regions, particularly child rights, girls’ rights and child protection.

Demonstrated experience in team work.

Proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database, internet.

Experience in implementing Gender activities for IDPs, vulnerable adolescents and young people, Social Work or community development.

Be able to speak English. Ability to speak the local language of the assigned zone will also be an added advantage.

Experience in working with Adolescent (boys and girls) and young people.

Ability and willingness to work in the field.

Experience in conducing community meetings, interview, group discussions.

Experience in facilitating training with project beneficiaries.

Professional working experience with local and/or international non-government organizations is preferable.

Excellent personal organizational skills, including time management, and ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure

Willingness to travel to target areas and work in difficult environment according to travel requirements.

Child Safeguarding Responsibilities

•    Ensure that all beneficiaries of your project are receiving ongoing, age-appropriate verbal or written information in relevant languages about Plan International’s Child and young people Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

Provide regular updates to Project Manager and CPiE Specialist, highlighting priorities and constraints according to agreed schedule.

Submit weekly situation reports to line Supervisor.

Skills and Behaviors:

Timely and effective delivery of project activities and other outputs (reports, etc.)

Commitment to child protection, gender equality and participation

People Skills: Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and is able to support and train local and international staff and also able to work with disaster affected communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.

Communication Skills: Well developed written and oral communication skills. Able to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders as a representative of Plan. This includes effective negotiation and representation skills.

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 organization 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 maximize 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

Work under pressure to produce results

Behaviors:

Commitment and adherence to humanitarian values and standards,

Not been involved in any child protection issues

Demonstrates neutrality in the current socio-political crisis.

Works with trustworthiness and integrity

Resilience/Adaptability and flexibility: Ability to operate effectively under extreme circumstances including stress, high security risks, diverse cultural contexts and harsh living conditions. Works and lives with a flexible, adaptable and resilient manner.

Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity.

Patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and remain responsive under pressure.

Familiarity with livelihood programming for returnees and IDPs

Desirable

Empathy on issue affecting children rights and equality for girls

Good planning and organizational abilities

Team work

Integrity

Humility

NEXT STEP:

To apply for this job, kindly click on « Apply ». Your application should include:

A cover letter

A comprehensive CV including details of two referees, one of whom should be your current of most recent supervisor

Location: Bamenda / Buea – CAMEROON

Closing date: May 20th, 2020

Plan International Cameroon operates in an equal opportunity environment and actively encourages diversity.  Only applications received in French or English, will be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Plan international has a child protection and gender equality policies that are integral part of the recruitment process.