Desk Officer EU INTPA – Nigeria education project

Purpose of role

The incumbent will be part of the Programmes Department of Plan International Ireland (PII) which is responsible for managing and maintaining a humanitarian and development grant portfolio. The Senior Desk Officer will coordinate a large INTPA (European Union International Partnership)-funded education focused consortia project in Northwestern Nigeria led by Plan International. This role serves as the focal point between Plan International Ireland, Plan International Nigeria and Save the Children Netherlands. S/he will be responsible for overall coordination of the various stakeholders of the consortium and ensure delivery of the EU INTPA education grant in Northwestern Nigeria.

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Working together with children, young people, our supporters, and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. 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. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years and are now active in more than 80 countries. Established in 2003, Plan International Ireland influences and supports Plan International’s work worldwide. Plan International Ireland has been certified as one of Ireland’s Best Workplaces each year since 2020.

Key Duties and Activities

• Oversight of project cycle management in line with donor guidelines and regulations in association with the EU Consortium lead in Nigeria
• Building and maintaining strong working relationships with Plan Country office in Nigeria, consortium partners, project personnel, implementation partners
• Building and maintaining strong working relationships with the EU Desk and liaise continuously to inform on project progresses and challenges
• Building and maintaining strong working relationships with relevant federal agencies (MoE, National Directorate of Employment, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs) and civil society organisations in association with the EU Consortium lead in Nigeria
• Coordination and oversight of the Save the Children component of the programme in association with the EU Consortium lead in Nigeria
• Manage grant budgets to ensure timely and accurate expenditure and reporting
• Financial and compliance oversight
• Compilation of narrative and financial project progress reports according to donor’s requirements.
• Ensure Workplan, M&E plans, procurement plans are developed and kept up to date in association with the EU Consortium lead in Nigeria
• Prepare Monitoring and Evaluation reports (M&E)
• Facilitate the organisation and implementation of Expenditure Verification exercise, prepare all Plan Ireland documentation, review of Expenditure Verification draft reports and coordinate with Save the Children and Plan Nigeria to address any auditor comments
• In the case of external audit, coordinate with the auditor and the consortium partners to facilitate the implementation of the audit. Prepare all Plan Ireland documentation, review of expenditure verification draft reports and coordinate with Save the Children and Plan Nigeria to address any auditor comments
• Organise and coordinate regular calls with relevant staff from consortium partner to discuss implementation progress and challenges
• Provide continuous support to consortium partners on EU INTPA rules and regulation to ensure compliance
• Sharing of learning and knowledge management related, both internally in Plan Ireland and across Country Offices
• Conduct regular monitoring missions to Plan Nigeria to review activities, achievement of outputs and outcomes and adherence to Plan International and EU’s policy and compliance rules
• Seek opportunities to develop advocacy, communications and development education material, where appropriate.

Key internal links:

The Senior Desk Officer will work closely with Plan Ireland’s technical experts, and grants compliance team in the coordination of the Education grant.

Competencies Required

Essential

1. Minimum 5 years’ relevant experience in development and humanitarian programmes or other programme management role (including at least 3 years’ overseas experience).
2. Experience with project cycle management according to institutional donor’s requirements (EU INTPA, ECHO and bilateral donors) and knowledge of most relevant sector’s standards.
3. University degree in relevant fields.
4. Commitment to gender transformative programming and experience in gender responsive programming, in line with Plan International’s policy.
5. Experience in EU an INGOS compliance mechanisms.
6. Knowledge on the implementation of quality standards including MEL.
7. Strong analytical skills and financial understanding.
8. Ability and willingness to travel to support the Programme in Nigeria as required.
9. Strong communications and networking skills: Fluency in English.
10. Excellent time management and organisational skills

Desirable

1. Experience working in education and youth programming with focus on employability and training.
2. Experience of working in West Africa.
3. Experience of working in a consortium

Safeguarding Level – Medium

Salary and benefits

• Work for a certified “Great Place to Work” organisation
• Plan International Ireland operates a salary scale, as well as a broad range of employee benefits.
• This role is graded as a Level 4 within our salary scale, with an expected range of between €45,000 – €49,000 per annum. Placement on the scale will be dependent on level of experience and fit within the role.
• In addition to salary, Plan International Ireland provides several employee benefits, some of which include:

– Private Health Insurance for all employees (from commencement date)

– Comprehensive health and pension package

– Matching company pension contributions up to 5% (once probation is complete)

– Flexible working hours ((core hours of 10am to 4pm daily, minimum of 37 hours per week)

• As an employee you will be able to sign up to the Bike-to-Work scheme, or the TaxSaver scheme for DART, LUAS, and Dublin bus users
• Hybrid working option on completion of probation
• Learning and career development, including technical skills, management, and professional development

Location & work permit

The Desk Officer role will be based in Dublin. Applicants must have a valid work permit at the time of applying to enable them to work in Ireland.