Plan Irleand, Dublin
Disability Programme Co-ordinator
Deadline for application: 21 February 2014
 

Plan is a global children's organisation that, for the past 75 years, has been taking action and standing up for child rights. Plan currently works in 71 countries (12 of which are in West Africa) with a rights based approach to help children and their families overcome poverty. The 'One Plan One Goal' global strategy 2012 – 2016 pays particular attention to tackling exclusion, and prioritizes support for vulnerable and marginalized groups including women and children with disabilities.

 
In 2012, the first ever Disability Inclusion Working Group was established by members of the Plan family, including Plan Ireland and Plan Finland, to promote greater and more effective inclusion of Persons with Disabilities across Plan’s work. Initial activities included raising awareness within the organisation, facilitating learning and cooperation, developing tools and resources, supporting advocacy and facilitating research on disability such as the ‘Outside the Circle’ research in West Africa. The position of Disability Programme Coordinator will enhance the degree to which Plan includes people with disabilities in programming to improve the quality of life of vulnerable children.

Specific responsibilities
Project management
• Support grant management, with a particular focus on disability inclusion, through regular communication with country teams, reviewing reports, financial monitoring and country visits.
• Support Plan and partners in monitoring and evaluation of outcomes of disability aspects of programmes.
• Conduct regular field visits to programme countries to contribute to programme monitoring, coordinate participatory reviews, conduct capacity building according to identified needs, and visit donors as necessary.
• Develop terms of reference for internal and external evaluations and participate in identifying, selecting and assessing suitable resources to undertake the assignments.
 
Coordination and support
• Liaise with Plan staff members who are leading on large grant-funded programmes to advise on focus and activities so that they conform to best practice in disability inclusion.
• Provide training and other assistance to allow lead staff to confidently address disability inclusion within their programmes.
• Support field offices in the implementation of disability inclusive activities with a view to gaining greater awareness among project staff.
• Offer advice and technical expertise on the inclusion of children with disabilities within DRM programming for both pre- and post- Emergency phases.
• Act as a focal point for donors and other International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGO’s) looking to integrate disability inclusion into their programming.
 
Programme development
• Ensure disability inclusion is mainstreamed and addressed in programme design and delivery.
• Oversee the positioning of Plan to secure a range of income building on shared experiences and donor obligations relevant to the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), particularly Art. 32 relating to international cooperation.
• Contribute to the development of high quality proposals (from concept through to award) in collaboration with relevant Plan expertise/staff ensuring alignment with Plan’s Child Centred Community Development (CCCD) approach in relation to the inclusion of children with disabilities within programming.
 
Capacity building
• Support the strengthening of Country Office capacity on disability inclusive programming and the project management cycle.
• Capture lessons learned and best practices and develop internal and external mechanisms for knowledge sharing on disability inclusive programming.
• Represent Plan Ireland / Finland on the internal Plan International Disability Inclusion Working Group and ensure learning from inclusive disability programming is shared within the wider Plan network.
• Represent Plan on the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC) and other relevant fora and ensure learning from inclusive disability programmes are shared.
• Conduct learning events on disability inclusion.
• Any other tasks as requested by Line Manager.
 
Skills, experience and competencies
Essential
• Minimum of 3 year’s relevant work experience, including at least two in a developing country.
• Relevant third level qualification.
• Technical expertise and work experience in disability programming in developing countries.
• Knowledge of the challenges faced by children with disabilities in developing countries and specifically in West Africa.
• Experience in project management and monitoring and evaluation with a specific focus on monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of disability inclusive programmes.
• Experience in application of the Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) to development.
• Prior experience in training, facilitation and capacity building.
• Expertise and interest in Children’s Rights.
• Excellent writing, communication and presentation skills.
• Fluency in English and excellent command of written and spoken French.
• Willingness to travel frequently in West Africa.
 
Desirable
• Knowledge and experience of  education programming.
• Experience in child rights and child focused programming.
• Knowledge of Irish Aid and EU funding mechanisms and project implementation.
• Efficient, thorough, systematic, organised.
• Self-starter.
• Team player.
 
How to apply
Send your CV with cover letter to hr@plan.ie by Friday 21 February 2014.

The full job description can be consulted here.