Community Development Facilitators – Plan International - 2015

Reports to: Programme Unit Manager (PUM)

The Community Development Facilitators (CDFs) will be Plan International’s first line community development staff responsible for the effective facilitation of Child-Centred Community Development and building meaningful working relationships among the multiple stakeholders in the community development process. The incumbent will be responsible for one or more parishes or a Sub County for overall program coordination and provides technical leadership in one new Country Strategic Plan Strategic Technical Areas.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Program/project management:
· Support the children, youth and other marginalised segments of community to identify their own problems, and development priorities.
· Build the capacity of Parish development structures/committees to manage their own inclusive planning process and have a Community Development Plan as well as ownership of the programs and projects.
· The incumbent will disseminate the program objectives and approaches defined within the Country Strategic Plan, Strategic Technical Areas and Programme Unit Annual Plans among communities and other stakeholders while protecting Plan’s image.
· Prepare and design Project outlines and budgets in accordance with Plan Uganda guidelines and complete project outline modifications as needed and submit to PUM for review and approval.
· The job holder will routinely facilitate children and communities to prepare Project Requests in accordance with their CDP, and the PU Annual Plan as a basis for writing Project Outlines (POs),
· Build and strengthen working relations with local authorities (sub-county, parish and village) and ensure they are adequately consulted/informed of Plan’s operations and investments.
· Actively monitor and document all projects and on a monthly basis complete project progress logs and write Project Completion Reports (PCRs) within one month of project completion.
· Significantly contribute to regular reflection, learning and action to ensure continuous improvement in Plan’s operations and document and share lessons learned on Programs and Projects in liaison with the Monitoring and Evaluation coordinator.
· Ensure that project budgets (both sponsorship and grants) are managed effectively and efficiently and there is value for money as per Plan policies and donor requirements
· Actively promote teamwork within Community mobilisers and stakeholders in the sub county
· Work closely with the Civil Society Strengthening specialist and the PUM, carry out capacity building of communities.
· Facilitate groups/communities to identify and prepare for engaging in advocacy and lobbying with the state on issues they have prioritised.
· Work in liaison with Country Technical Leads/Specialists and Project Manager/coordinator of respective projects, apply programmatic operational guidelines as appropriate in project design and implementation.
· Actively promote effective Communication and dissemination of Plan Values in the community.
2. Sponsorship:
· Provide leadership and direct supervision of community-managed sponsorship operations.
· Manage and facilitate a team of community mobilizers to produce sponsorship communications in a timely manner and review sponsorship communications for quality and submit to the PUM.
· Coordinate caseload management with the community mobilizers and the PUM.
· Actively facilitate a highly participatory process in the production of Area Updates and Area Overviews.
· Ensure that all sponsor visits are well managed.
· Ensure that Plan’s Child Protection policy and principles are adhered to by all associates.
· Act as the first point of contact for unannounced visits in the areas of operation.
· Visit each sponsored child at least once a year and complete a home visit report.
3. Community Managed Projects (CMPs):
· Enable partner communities under the Parish Development Committee (PDC) structure to plan and implement CMPs.
· Facilitate the PDCs to identify training needs.
· Render support in the development of training modules and facilitate training for community members.
· Take lead in the development of a Community Based Monitoring and documentation System (CBM&D).
· Work closely with the PDCs and communities, ensure timely accountability of project funds as per CMP guidelines.
· Carry periodic mapping and profiling of NGOs/CBOs operating in the parish/sub county
· Develop and document benchmarks for the CMPs.
· Carry out analysis, community agreements and monitor Plan funds under communities.
4. Empowerment and Sustainability:
· Maintain a welcoming and engaging Community Resource Center within area of operation.
· Through immersion and building relationships, create relationships based on trust and mutual respect.
· Be aware of power relationships and identify most vulnerable and marginalized through social mapping and wealth ranking.
· The incumbent will facilitate the inclusion of marginalized groups into the community development process.
· Identify and build relationships with community leaders, groups and other typically marginalised groups.
· Establish an inventory of civil society/ community groups and organizations in the area.
· Facilitate civil society/community groups through regular capacity development and networking.
· Facilitate community leadership development, gender equality and the promotion of the rights of the child.
· Strengthen the capacity of civil society and community groups to manage their own development process and projects.
· Facilitate community local resource mobilisation.
· Equip civil society and community groups with the skills and confidence to effectively engage with local government and hold them accountable for performance and results

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
· The Plan International Community Development Facilitators should hold Bachelor’s degrees in social science, development studies or any other related technical field.
· At least two years’ experience in facilitating the implementation and monitoring of community managed projects and familiarity with children’s issues in particular.
· Past exposure and experience in use of participatory approaches to programming, including PRA skills.
· Working knowledge and application of Rights based approach to programming.
· Broad understanding and knowledge of basic laws and policies related to children – UNCRC, African Charter of the Rights and Welfare of Children, Children’s Act, LG decentralisation policy, etc
· Detailed working knowledge of monitoring and documentation of projects.
· Computer application skills – MS word and Microsoft Excel.
· Prior experience in the design, implementation, and monitoring of community development projects.
· Excellent communication and writing skills.
· Prior exposure and experience in networking with NGOs, local government partners, and local community-based organisations.
· Team work and willingness to work long hours.
· Exhibit high level of integrity, honest and easily approachable.
· High levels of humility and respect for others.
· Results oriented, focused and self-driven.
· Skills, ability and willingness to ride a motorcycle.
· Knowledge of the local language i.e. in Kamuli and Tororo