LOCAL SUSTAINABILITY ADVISOR

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it is girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges girls and vulnerable children face. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood and 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.

For over 85 years, we have rallied other determined optimists to transform the lives of all children in more than 80 countries.

We won’t stop until we are all equal.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Plan International Ghana is looking to recruit a highly experienced and qualified professional for the position of Local Sustainability Advisor for the USAID-funded Ghana Advancing Protection and Care for Children in Adversity (Child Protection) Activity.

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

S/he will work collaboratively with the Chief of Party and the project’s technical staff to design and implement strategies for fostering local ownership and building capacity within local organizations and the Government of Ghana. This position is integral to ensuring that sustainability is embedded from the outset, promoting long-term impact and local self-reliance beyond the life of the project.

Note: This position is contingent upon the organization being awarded the project by the donor,

While we are committed to identifying exceptional talent for this initiative, please note that formal employment contracts will be extended only if the proposal is successful and the project is funded.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The position involves but is not limited to:

• Capacity Assessment and Development: Conduct thorough organizational capacity assessments with local partners and government agencies. Identify gaps and strengths to inform tailored capacity development plans.
• Capacity Building: Collaborate with project technical teams to design and implement training, mentorship, and organizational development initiatives. Ensure activities are relevant, culturally appropriate, and focused on building long-term capacity.
• Metrics Development and Monitoring: Develop and implement robust metrics to monitor progress in local capacity development, using qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate the effectiveness of initiatives.
• Strategic Planning for Sustainability: Co-develop and co-execute a comprehensive sustainability strategy with local actors and community stakeholders that prioritizes local ownership, institutional capacity building, and sustainable impact from project initiation.
• Stake holder Engagement: Maintain strong relationships with local and government partners, promoting open communication and mutual accountability to foster ownership and alignment with project goals.
• Transition Planning (If applicable): Lead the development of a transition strategy that ensures a seamless handover of responsibilities and ownership to local organizations and government partners. Define clear steps and timelines for achieving full local ownership by project end.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications & Experience

The position holder must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, public administration, organizational development, public administration, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in capacity building, organizational development, or sustainability planning, preferably in the context of international development or USAID-funded programs.
• Demonstrated experience working with government entities, NGOs, or community-based organizations in Ghana or other West African countries.
• Proven track record in designing and implementing sustainability strategies and transition plans for donor-funded projects.
• Strong understanding of organizational capacity assessment tools and methodologies.
• Knowledge of metrics development and monitoring for capacity development initiatives.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and project teams.
• Strong analytical and strategic planning skills, with attention to cultural sensitivity and local context.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in at least one of Ghana’s local languages.
• Demonstrated commitment to USAID’s principles of local ownership, sustainability, and capacity strengthening.

Personal Attributes

• Self-starter and team player with high standards
• Ability to multi task and work under some level of pressure
• Ability to work in a cross-cultural environment and with multi- and interdisciplinary teams

Please click on this link to view the full job profile and job description for the role: Full Job Description - Sustainability Advisor - USAID Ghana Portection and Care Activity 2024.docx

Location: Accra

Type of Role: Program Management

Reports to: Chief of Party

Job Type: Fixed-Term Contract

Closing Date: 10th January, 2025

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, girls’ 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. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.