Participatory Planning Specialist; Early Childhood Education Specialist; Finance Officer; Education Project Officer

Plan is an international humanitarian, child rights development organization without religious, political or governmental affiliation. Plan’s vision is a world in which all children realize their full potential in societies that respect people’s rights and dignity. Working with children, their families and communities in 50 of the world’s poorest countries, Plan today is one of the world’s largest international development organizations, committed to the well being of children. In Vietnam, Plan works in partnership with local people, organizations and government bodies at all levels. With an annual budget of over 14 million USD, we are expanding our programs in Vietnam and looking for experienced, qualified and motivated Vietnamese candidates who are committed to working long-term for the following position.

1. Participatory Planning Specialist (based in Hanoi)
Main responsibilities:
Job Purpose: To provide technical support on participatory planning process for the socio-economic development plans (SEDPs) at commune, district and province levels in the Pro-poor Participatory Development Project (PPDP) to ensure the project objectives are met.
Participatory methodologies for planning:
- Review all available participatory methodologies that may be applicable for planning process to ensure the participation of the most marginalized groups;
- Develop and take innovation in participatory methodologies and lessons learnt to revise/adjust for better implementation of participatory planning processes for SEDPs;
- Lead the development of manual and format for setting up SEDPs.

Developing the process for SEDPs:
- Develop guidelines for Provincial Planning Specialists (PPS) to carry out the participatory planning process for setting up SEDPs at commune, district and province levels;
- Directly support to PPS for setting up SEDPs when and where it is needed;
- Work closely with other departments/domains and Program Units (PUs) within Plan Vietnam to ensure that all relevant activities are integrated/interpreted into SEDPs.
- Work closely and along with M & E Specialist to ensure the main indicators are developed for monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of project.

Supporting roles in PPDP team
- Support PPDP Project Manager in decision-making by providing reliable information/analysis for improvement and achievement of the PPDP project;
- Contribute specific and constructive ideas or give feedback and recommendations to increase the quality of works of the PPDP team;

Requirements:
- University graduate in Public Administration, Public Finance or Planning or relevant
- Minimum 5 years experience in development, with demonstrated track record of successful implementation on integrated approaches for inclusion of marginalized groups in planning and implementation
- Proven track record in grassroots participatory planning processes and their critical dialogue with local government
- Experience in participatory planning processes in rural remote communities, preferably in Vietnam
- Knowledge and experience in public sector reform, decentralization and government budgeting processes
- Knowledge about Vietnam's current policy environment and latest developments and opportunities
- Knowledge and experience in designing and implementing participatory approaches to reflect issues of vulnerable and excluded groups
- Knowledge and experience in application of a rights-based approach
- A team player with seniority
- Convincing skills and diplomacy
- Innovative and solution seeker
- Able to synthesize complex issues in simple terms
- Pro-active

2. Early Childhood Education Specialist (based in Gia Lai)
Main responsibilities:
- The Early Childhood Education Specialist will be working as member of the project team in the Gia Lai Early Childhood Development Project implemented by Plan in Vietnam and funded by new Zealand Aid and Plan Australia. The overall job purpose will be to provide technical expertise in the design and implementation of the early childhood education component of the ECCD project in Gia Lai, thereby contributing to achieving the overall project objectives.
- Technical project design and development:
- Design strategies and key interventions for the early childhood education component under the ECCD project in Gia Lai
- Develop technical guidance and quality standards for teachers/caregivers training to ensure the consistency in ECCD project quality
- Provide technical assistance and advice to teacher and caregiver training interventions
- Review existing schools data and identify data collection and analysis related to knowledge, beliefs, and practices on ECCE
- Manage ECCE assessments on school base education at various delivery levels with focus on the quality, accessibility and availability of ECCE services. And document the results for further interventions and improvement of the project implementation
- Support the establishment of monitoring and evaluation systems for school based interventions
- Identify key technical interventions and develop standard designs for project implementation in Gia Lai 
- Work closely with national and international experts to provide technical supports to the project implementation
- Support the project team and implementers with expert knowledge through quick response and timely delivery of technical support to PU
- In collaboration with education Program team at CO and the protect team, develop and implement capacity building activities for relevant Plan’s staff and partner on ECCE.

Networking:
- Establish good relationship and networking with government partner in the country and Gia Lai province, other INGOs and stakeholders to bring best practices to Plan Vietnam
- Active participation in the ECCE technical network to gain more technical expertise to improve project quality 
- Adopt knowledge, experience, good practices in the sector to cascade relevant staff in Plan Vietnam

Learning and Innovation:
- Identify key learning and innovation from other experiences in and outside of Vietnam
- Identify the technical needs on research/ studies and propose specific research / studies to further improve technical project implementation
- Support on documentation and dissemination of best practice and lessons learnt

Requirements:
Qualifications:
University graduate in Early childhood Education, education management or related fields
Experience:
- Minimum of 4 years experience working with early childhood education
- Experience in technical designs and implementing ECCD project 
- Experience in  working with Government agencies at different levels, especially with education system
- Experience of monitoring and evaluating programs/ projects
- Experience in coaching, training, and facilitation.
- Experience of working with children and communities and in partnership with different stakeholders.
Knowledge and skills:
- Knowledge of policies and issues related to the ECCD sector in Vietnam
- Knowledge of technical expertise of the project and ECCD system/ partners in Vietnam
- Knowledge of practical lobbying and advocacy tools
- Good interpersonal, influencing, negotiation skills
- Good conceptual and analytical skills
- Ability to build external relationships and network at an advanced level
- Good  English skills, both oral and written
- High level of computer proficiency

3. FINANCE OFFICER (based in Gia Lai)
Main responsibilities:
- Process financial transactions related to office and project expenditures, and maintain an effective filing system for financial transactions and project documents.
- Prepare financial reports and analysis reports for management purposes.
- Provide support on financial training to Plan staff and partners.
- Facilitate and review the decentralization processes and practices within Plan Vietnam.

Requirements:
- University degree in accounting/financing
- Minimum three years work experience in relevant sector
- Good English and accounting software skills
- Ability to work independently or as part of a team
- Good analytical, facilitation, communication and interpersonal skills
- Willing to travel within Vietnam

4. Education Project Officer (based in Bac Giang)
Main responsibilities:
- Support in planning and implementation of project activities in the file of education in assigned area.
- Prepare the detail implementation plan and budget plans for submitting to relevant levels.
- Coordinate the project implementation and monitoring/evaluation activities.
- Prepare project progress, annual reports. 
- Maintain partnership with and build capacity for key district and commune partners.
- Support phase-in activities in new communes/communities.
- Coordinate sponsorship works in assigned areas.
- Others tasked as assigned by line manager.

Requirements:
- University graduate relevant fields
- Minimum of 2 years experience working with education projects
- Experience in  working with partners at provincial, district and commune levels, especially with education system
- Knowledge of policies and issues related to education in province
- Good interpersonal, influencing, negotiation, conceptual and analytical skills
- Ability to build external relationships and network,
- Good command of English and strong computer skills.

A very competitive salary, benefit and career development will be offered for qualified candidates commensurate with the responsibilities and qualifications. All applications will be treated in strictest confidence. For more information about Plan and e-mail contact please visit our website http://plan-international.org/where-we-work/asia/vietnam/about-plan/jobs. Please submit your letter of application (stating clearly the position you want to apply for) and detailed curriculum vitae in English with recent photo together with copies of degrees and certificates and contact numbers by email or post not later than 28th October 2011 to:

Human Resources Department - Plan in Vietnam
10th floor, 72 Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi, Vietnam
For more information about Plan and e-mail contact please visit our website:
http://plan-international.org/where-we-work/asia/vietnam/about-plan/jobs
(Plan is an Equal Opportunity Employer)