Project Officer - Eat Play Hug

Project Officer - Eat Play Hug

Date: 28 Oct 2023

Location: Kakuma, Kenya

Company: Plan International

WHO WE ARE

Plan International is a rights-based development and humanitarian organization working for better lives for all children. We are independent of government and have no political or religious affiliation. Our purpose is to strive for a just world that advances childrenâs rights and equality for girls. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries. Our global strategy has a specific focus on girls, as they are often the most marginalized and most often left behind. We have committed ourselves to the ambitious target of reaching 100 million girls over 5 years, to ensure they can learn, lead, decide and thrive. This is our contribution to reaching the sustainable development goals, and in particular the goals on gender equality. Our organization is transforming itself to meet this enormous challenge everywhere we work. We need bold, forward-thinking and innovative individuals to lead our country operations, driving change and delivering results that will allow us to reach our target of 200 million girls.

With over 38 years of experience in implementing its programme, Plan International Kenya (PIK) mainly operates in 12 geographical areas; Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Tharaka-Nithi, Siaya, Kwale, Kilifi, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Marsabit, Turkana and Tana River.

OUR STRATEGY STATEMENT

Plan International Kenyaâs (PIK) strategic goal in the next five years is to end teenage pregnancies and end all forms of sexual and gender-based violence against adolescent girls and young women. We aim to help create an enabling environment where girls and young women are safe, valued, equally cared for, and have equal opportunities. PIK will contribute to the global strategy by aiming to reach directly approximately 2.75 million (children, including girls and young women over the period of the strategy 2022-2026 and to reach additional beneficiaries through its interventions.

ABOUT EAT PLAY HUG PROJECT

Multiple countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing high levels of food insecurity. Acute crises are occurring in East Africa: Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, and in the Central Sahel: Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. In food crisis situations such as this, preventing and treating child malnutrition is of utmost immediate importance to ensure young childrenâs continued healthy growth, development, and wellbeing. However, beyond giving them the right amounts and types of food, children also need responsive caregivers who protect them from toxic stress and violence, help them feel secure and loved, and provide opportunities to play and learn despite the circumstances. 

However, there is currently insufficient attention in global Humanitarian Response Plans and in Plan Internationalâs own Hunger Crisis Response to promoting responsive and loving caregiving, play and opportunities for learning, as well as protection from violence for young children growing up facing high levels of acute and chronic food insecurity. There is also inadequate attention to the overall psycho-social wellbeing of these parents and caregivers. With this project, the MEESA team, Global Hub ECD and ANO will investigate the feasibility of integrating and delivering relevant content and messaging for parents/caregivers and for children (ages 3-8) into Planâs interventions which are part of the Hunger Crisis Response. 

THE ROLE

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications/ experience essential: 

Bachelor's Degree in Gender and development, International development, Sociology and other related studies. Technical knowledge of Gender Equality and Inclusion in general, and as it relates to relevant sectors, especially Womenâs Economic Empowerment   At least 3 years progressive experience in Gender Transformative and Rights based Approaches into project design, implementation and M&E  Direct project management experience, donor reporting and capacity building, preferably in the Natural Resource management and climate change adaptation. Hold personal values, ethics and attitudes which are in alignment with the principles of the Planâs values Motorcycle riding skills and experience

Qualifications/ experience desirable: 

Strong report writing skills  Documentation of project impact stories of change Community facilitation, networking, partnership development and management skills  Good communication, negotiation and advocacy skills  Good interpersonal, relationship and team working  Conflict Management skills  Ability to understand the cultural context of the coastal communities. Experience in program phase out management

Languages required:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Kiswahili and English.

Please follow the link below to access the role profile:

Preference will be given to local candidates who reside within Turkana county.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girlsâ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.