Purpose: How does this post support Plan’s strategy and mission?

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We strive for a just world, working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners. Plan International has been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 80 years, and is active in 75 countries across the world. Plan International has a Liaison Office to the African Union (Plan AULO) based in Addis Ababa. Plan AULO Leads Plan International’s liaison engagement with the AU and other related continental institutions. It also implements continental projects and initiatives (mainly on policy implementation and influencing) in line with its strategic focus areas. 

Plan International AU Liaison Office is aligned with Plan International’s strategy “100 Million Reasons”. Plan International globally engages people and partners to:

• Empower children, young people 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 crises and to overcome adversity;
• Support the safe and successful progression of children from birth to adulthood

This position is supported through the Girls Advocacy Alliance (GAA), which is a joint initiative of Plan Nederland, Terre des Hommes Netherlands and Defense for Children - ECPAT Netherlands. The GAA is led by Plan Nederland and is implemented in strategic partnership with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the Dialogue and Dissent framework (2016-2020). 

BACKGROUND

In 2014, the AU Commission officially launched the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage at the 4th Conference of Ministers of Social Development. The rationale behind the implementation of the campaign was to join efforts to accelerate an end to child marriage in all Member States through enhancing continental awareness on the harmful effects of child marriage among different stakeholders including Member states, youth, and communities, religious and traditional leaders among others and implement policies and legislations to end the practice.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review and produce advocacy strategy for the campaign to end child marriage;
• Develop and ensure the implementation of strategies to support the campaign
• Develop and maintain networks with organisations that work on women and children’s rights;
• Take part in external and internal meetings on behalf of the campaign team and engage consistently with partners on the progress of the Campaign;
• Facilitate the generation of campaign data collected from member states for public sharing, including on the campaign’s social media pages and website;
• Support the monitoring and evaluation related activities of the campaign including strategic oversight of milestones development, in close collaboration with the various stakeholders. 
• Lead the establishment and operationalization of the high level ECM monitoring panel including the development of simple, participatory rules of procedures for  the high level ECM monitoring panel
• Ensure effective gathering, packaging, management and utilization of critical information required to achieve the campaign’s advocacy ambition
• Ensure that best practices, success stories, case studies etc are produced and add value to the campaign
• Ensure that proper systems and mechanisms are in place to effectively track, document and share the campaign’s progress
• Ensure effective linkages of the AU ECM campaign with the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) particularly with the Special Rapporteur and the Goodwill Ambassador on Ending Child Marriage in organizing country missions as well as other pertinent matters with regard to ECM
•  Ensure effective collaboration with the AU Goodwill Ambassador on ECM as well as the Saleema Initiative to eliminate FGM/C
• Work with other  AUC departments to link the Campaign to other AUC programmes;
• Enhance the visibility of the AU Campaign at key AU Meetings as well as other continental and global events;

Reports to:- Work under the overall guidance of the Head of Social Welfare and Vulnerable Groups and will directly report to the Coordinator of the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage within the Department of Social Affairs. The position has a dotted reporting line to the Girls Advocacy Project Manager- Regional Africa Programme of Plan International African Union Liaison Office. 

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s degree in Social Development, Human Rights and Development, Law, or other related discipline
• At least eight (8) years work experience in AU, related Government ministry on Gender issues, UN or NGO is highly recommended
  
• Ability to monitor and evaluate technical and strategic methodologies and information
• Ability to formulate technical reports and other technical communications documents
• Ability to develop and manage programmes within an agreed timeframe
• Experience working in a fast-paced International organisation is highly desirable
• Excellent writing skills in English and ability to work with more than one AU official language would be an added advantage
• Excellent computer skills

Skills, Competencies and Behaviours Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

Skills

• Strong advocacy and campaigning skills especially on gender equality, girls/children’s rights.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and able to communicate complex concepts around gender equality, girls rights and empowerment clearly and concisely, and apply them in practical situations.
• Strong project management and coordination skills
• Demonstrated communication skills operating at a distance and across a wide variation in cultures

Behaviors

Openness and accountability

• Promote a culture of openness and transparency
• 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.

Striving for lasting impact

• Articulate a clear purpose for project team and partners and set high expectations;
• Create 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 in line with the project objectives.

Working well together

• Seek constructive outcomes, listen to others, willing to compromise when appropriate;
• Builds constructive relationships across the alliance to support our shared goals;

 Physical Environment and Demands:

• Typical office environment with approximately 30% travel across the continent

 Level of Contact with Children:

• Low frequency of interaction with children