Plan Zambia Country Director

Working in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, Plan’s stated Global Strategic Goal (2011-15) is to reach as many children as possible, particularly those who are excluded or marginalized, with high-quality programs that deliver long-lasting benefits. Plan aims to achieve this goal by working in partnership with others and through high performing teams whose behaviors reflect the corporate values.

The Country Director (CD) leads the Country Office which is part of a regional network of country offices supervised by a Regional Office. S/he is responsible for the leadership of the country team and the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of all work that takes place in Plan Zambia. S/he also leads the implementation and regular renewal of the Country Strategic Plan which is aligned with the Global Strategy and designed to be effective in the local context using Plan´s approach called Child Centered Community Development (CCCD).

Although now officially a (lower) middle income country, Zambia has great internal income and development disparities with 78% of the rural population living in poverty. Malnutrition is also widespread in rural areas, with forty five percent of under five year olds stunted. HIV and AIDS prevalence is 14%, although in some urban areas it is over 30%. In a total population of 13 million, almost one million children have been orphaned by AIDS. The formal economy employs only 600,000 people, with 300,000 young people joining the labor market each year. Zambia has a stable and democratic political system.

The latest Country Strategic Plan for Zambia has been approved for the period 2011 to 2015, with a mid-term review and refresh due in the first half of 2013. Currently the country program reaches an estimated 400,000 people in three program areas and is one of the largest INGOs in the country. It has an annual turnover of approximately USD 11 million, a team of 110 staff, a case load of 24,373 sponsored children and a portfolio of 26 different grants. Grants account for more than 60% of the budget. Implementation is mainly through partner organizations; including PU based Community Associations which deliver community based sponsorship and other programs.

Dimensions of the Role: •Legal representation of Plan in Zambia, •Accountable for the operations and results of Plan in Zambia, risk management and response •Proper disbursement of all available project funds •Income growth to meet impact targets set in the Country Strategic Plan and annual Resource Mobilization Plans. •Technical quality of project delivery •Team leadership/management •Reporting quarterly on progress against agreed KPIs

Typical Responsibilities - Key End Results of Position: 1.Plan’s work will be based on an excellent analysis of the needs of the most vulnerable children in the country and the subsequent key decisions strategic choices of programming interventions. 2.Plan’s work will be delivered in a cost-effective and efficient way through a highly effective team, reflecting Plan’s values, skilled in their area of expertise and compliant with the expectations as well as the policies and procedures established by Plan 3.Plan in Zambia has adequate Disaster Risk Management capacities in place and will be ready to respond to emergency situation that affect children´s rights. 4.Plan’s work will be well-funded, raising and using resources that make measurable impact on children’s lives 5.Plan will be a credible and legitimate national actor, accountable to beneficiaries and other stakeholders inside and outside of the country, and an influential organisation promoting the rights and needs of highly vulnerable children in Zambia. 6.Key achievements, program learning and technical know-how of Plan Zambia will be shared with fellow Country Offices with the aim of improving program quality and operational efficiency throughout the region and the organization as a whole.

Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives Knowledge •Demonstrable knowledge as a result of study, training or practical experience on the key debates in development, particularly around child rights. •Practical knowledge of the requirements of donor compliance and financial management •Practical knowledge of programming for development and emergency response •Fluency in English and one other of the Plan languages (Spanish, French, Portuguese), oral and written. •Knowledge of Zambia, the geopolitical factors affecting child-poverty in the country or SADEC region as well as the political, social and economic opportunities for development are an advantage •Knowledge of sponsorship and/or grant funded programming an advantage

Leadership Skills and Behaviours demonstrated from experience •Striving for high performance •Strategic thinking and innovation •Decision making and risk management •Influencing and Communications: •Building effective teams and partnerships •Developing people •Self awareness and resilience

This is a 5 year fixed term contract reporting to the Regional Director Salary: US$60,000 to $70,000 depending experience plus full expat benefits. This is an accompanied position and a full relocation package will be available.

References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all areas of the international community.

How to apply: 

Please apply through our website http://plan-international.org/about-plan/jobs.