National Coordinator - Child Protection

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.

ROLE PURPOSE

We strive for a just world, working together with children, young people, our supporters, partners and host government. Our work supports marginalised children and youth, especially adolescent girls, to grow up physically and mentally healthy and ready to shape their future. We create an enabling environment and empower girls to be active drivers of change in realising their rights.  Plan International has been working in Malawi since 1994 in 14 districts, aiming to reach 3.5 million adolescent girls and young women between 2022-2027 through different interventions.

This role exists to provide technical and operational guidance in designing and delivering Plan International Malawi strategies and actions that support children, adolescents and youth, especially girls and young women, to live free from all forms of violence reinforced with equitable social norms.  It also supports the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems to demonstrate impact from interventions of inclusive and accountable child protection and gender-based violence systems.  The incumbent also engages in external representation on priority issues on child protection and gender equality and inclusion.

Dimensions of the Role

The position reports to the Technical SRHR and will be expected to work closely with Plan’s partner civil society organizations and other Plan International team members.  These include teams working in Education, Humanitarian response and action, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL), Partnerships Management, Business Development and Grants, Programme Area Managers and Project Managers.  The post does not supervise any staff at present but will oversee holistic integration of child protection, gender and social inclusion in Plan International Malawi work and will ensure attainment of quality outcomes.

Accountabilities

1.0 Programme strategy design and programme development

• Lead the development of the Child Protection interventions, including the development of gender transformative projects in line with Plan International’s guidelines and Minimum Standards for Child Protection in both Development and Humanitarian settings.
• Develop interventions that consider short-term and longer-term programming to respond to the evolving needs of children and young people in both development and humanitarian settings.
• Ensure child protection, gender and inclusion programming and influencing related activities are results-oriented and respond to needs of children and young people.
• In collaboration with partners stakeholders, conduct additional in-depth child protection needs assessments and gender analyses as needed to inform program design and influencing work.
• Work collaboratively with all programme thematic leads, (ie education, SRHR), to ensure that CP programming is coordinated and integrated whenever possible
• Keep abreast of national/regional/international development priorities on child protection and rights, gender and social inclusion to enhance program management and delivery.
• In collaboration with Business Development team, formulate, design and prepare programs/projects proposal for the sector, ensuring alignment with the overall country strategy and national priorities and plans.
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies and to determine national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.

2.0 Project implementation, performance monitoring and reporting.

• Provide technical guidance in child rights, gender and social inclusion programming to both sponsorship and grants teams throughout the project management cycle process;
• Work closely with the technical lead MERL to ensure that all project plans are complete with outcome-level monitoring and evaluation plans;
• Work closely with Technical Leads-Communications, IQE, SOYEE, Sponsorship Communications, Programme Area Managers and Project Managers to ensure that the implementation of child protection, gender and social inclusion activities are planned and implemented in a phased and prioritised manner, in full consultation and coordination with all relevant partners.
• Provide technical guidance and direction to Plan International Malawi for effective planning, implementation and monitoring of the agreed child protection plans.
• Conduct programme visits to monitor the implementation of activities, identify opportunities and constraints and any adjustments that are needed.
• Integrate child protection, gender, and inclusion sustainability plans, in all project activities as appropriate;
• In collaboration with the MERL department, ensure that Project Managers/ Project coordinators have access to and are appropriately using routine monitoring and periodic assessment/survey data;
• Provide technical leadership in quarterly/ interim and annual project reflection meetings with project teams for learnings and or bi-annual stock-taking to provide the records and all the necessary information as per Plan International Child protection, gender and inclusion standard guidelines.
• Draft and/or review scopes of work to hire and manage child protection, gender and inclusion technical consultants, including review of technical capacities and contract budgets;
• Conduct field supportive supervision of the team implementing project/interventions

3.0 Resource Mobilisation

• Participate in proposal development led by the Business Development Team to secure new grants and meet the country strategy fundraising targets
• Provide sound technical inputs to Business Development to support the development of high-quality concept notes, proposals and other relevant documents
• Establish and maintain effective linkage and relationship with National Offices, internal and external donors, and development partners through fast and speedy communication as well as seeking of new opportunities in liaison with the Business Development Unit;
• Pro-actively engage with development partners and donors to mobilize resources and project funding;
• Ensure a robust understanding of Plan International sponsorship vision, and support the realisation of strategic alignment with programme priorities

4.0 Capacity Building, Coordination and Learning

• Identify areas of continuous improvement to create a protective environment for children against all forms of harm
• Undertake training of staff, project teams, and partner staff to ensure common understanding and vision about child rights programming, gender and social inclusion
• Provide technical support to partners to improve child protection and gender transformative programming and influencing
• Work in coordination with technical leads Communications, IQE, SOYEE, Sponsorship Communications, Programme Area Managers and Project Managers, to ensure strong gender transformation is embedded in all projects
• Contribute to the identification of best practices and lessons learned to contribute to child protection, gender and inclusion knowledge management
• Build and scale-up programme approaches and methodologies from lessons learnt

5.0. Strategic partnership, networking, and Influencing

• Build strategic relationships with government ministries, UN agencies, and non-government institutions (local and international), especially with the private sector, at national and sub-national levels.
• Identify key implementing and strategic partners working in the field of child protection, gender and social inclusion with whom Plan can work with to leverage meeting its country strategy objectives;
• Work with public, private and international actors to influence policy frameworks in order to create a child friendly enabling environment at local and national levels
• Represent Plan International Malawi in all internal and external child protection fora, networks, clusters, technical working groups and other inter-agency meetings.
• In collaboration with communications department lead documentation and sharing of best practices
• Participate in strategic program discussion on the planning of child protection programs/projects.

6.0 Safeguarding, Risk Management, and Gender Equality & Inclusion

• Ensure that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People, and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility
• Provide guidance in identifying and mitigating complex risks and problems that arise as a result of the participation of girls, young women and youths in driving change, or during our implementation of programmes/ projects
• Demonstrate gender transformative programming and activities in reports
• Advocate internally for adaptations of Plan International’s policies, processes, attitudes and behaviours to ensure our work to support youth collective action is consistently strategic, meaningful, inclusive and safe. This includes collaboration with various functions including risk and compliance, programme quality, HR, finance, M&E (as well as others).

Dealing with Problems

• Keep an eye on internal and external environment including government that have potential to affect programme planning and implementation.
• Demonstrate flexibility and strategic thinking in working with and influencing national level government officials to gain support towards Plan’ programmes and approaches.

Key relationships

The position requires internal communications involving national organisations.

Internal

• Director of Programmes
• Thematic Leads (IQE, SRHR, Strategic Communication, MERL, Sponsorship and Safeguarding)
• Programme Area Managers
• Project Managers
• Business Development Unit
• Finance Teams
• Procurement Unit
• Other staff, including members of the Country Leadership Team and the Country Director
• Child protection, gender and inclusion Networks across the organisation

External

• Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, National and Local authorities, community leaders, sponsored families, sponsored children, community volunteers, community members etc.
• Partners organisations and other INGO
• Civil society organizations
• Sponsorship departments
• Sponsors, sponsored children/families, NOs, GH, RH

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Qualifications & Experience

• A Master’s degree in Social Science, International Development, Gender Development, Human Rights, International Development, Law, Public Policy or other related field with 8 years of practical experience in Child Protection. Those with a Bachelors’ degree but with atleast 8 years of Child protection experience will be considered.
• Experience in the development of Gender Transformative Child Protection programs and projects, including translating design into solid implementation with sound results;
• Experience in planning and facilitating training/workshops on Child Protection and Safeguarding
• Experience in writing/ contributing significantly to successful grant proposals;
• Experience working with children and understanding their special needs.
• Experience with rights-based approaches.
• Experience managing staff, including demonstrated experience in staff training, coaching, and mentoring.
• Experience in Civil society strengthening and engagement
• Ability to multitask and work under pressure with minimal supervision
• Experience working directly in gender, age, disability or social inclusion programming, related issues and/or broader protection issues, preferably in an NGO, UN context
• Strong representation, moderation, and facilitation skills to represent child protection portfolio to internal and external audiences.
• Solid experience in resource mobilisation with a variety of donors

Skills & Knowledge

• Sound conceptual and strategic thinking
• Demonstrated organisational skill
• Flexibility and ability to multi-task under pressure
• Negotiation at different levels and effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues with diverse experiences
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation and public speaking
• Knowledge and practical experience of engaging and partnering with youth movements, youth organising and influencing
• Knowledge and working experience on gender norms and approaches to change/transform power relations and safeguarding
• Ability to work well in frequently changing contexts
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Leadership analysis/coaching skills
• Strong team building and motivational 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 organisation 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 maximise 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 organisation to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

• We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential
• We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace
• We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives.

Physical Environment

Based at Malawi Country Office with significant in-country travel and periodic international travel.

Level of contact with children

Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children

Location: Lilongwe, Country Office

Type of Role: Fixed Term

Reports to: Director of Programmes

Grade: Level 14

Closing Date: 9 August 2026

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.