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.

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

Working in over 70 developing countries globally, Plan International strives for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We engage people and partners to:

• Empower children, young people and communities to make vital changes that tackle the root causes of discrimination against girls and women, exclusion and vulnerability.
• Drive change in practice and policy at local, national and global levels through our reach, experience and knowledge of the realities children face.
• Work with children and communities to prepare for and respond to crises and to overcome adversity.
• Support the safe and successful progression of children into adulthood

The Project Manager for the Spotlight initiative Phase II project will be responsible for the successful implementation, coordination and monitoring of the project, ensuring alignment with Plan International vision and strategic objectives. This position demands strong leadership in SGBV, SRHR, gender and the ability to manage multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Programme Implementation, the incumbent will be responsible for the overall planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the project, ensuring its alignment with Plan International Sierra Leone's mission, donor guidelines and national policies. The project manager will play a pivotal role in coordinating with stakeholders, ensuring compliance with policies and managing project risks

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

The Spotlight Initiative is a global partnership between the EU and the United Nations to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls using the Whole-of-community and whole of government approach, aligning with the national agenda and supporting the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs), especially SDG5 on gender equality. The project under the UNICEF Phase II grant will focus on building on the lessons learned from phase 1, emphasising localized community -driven and cross-sectional action. In Phase II the project will focus on child protection, education and adolescents’ empowerment to prevent and respond to harmful practices.

The Project aims to achieve gender equitable social norms, attitudes and behaviour change at community and individual levels to prevent violence against women and girls and harmful practices and promote women’s economic empowerment. Activities will focus on building adolescent girls’ agency, increasing accountability of institutions, training frontline service providers, mobilizing caregivers and leaders for norm transformation.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Project planning & implementation

• Lead the strategic planning and execution of project activities, ensuring adherence to project objectives and timelines
• Develop detailed work plans, budget and procurement in collaboration with the project team
• Ensure effective coordination with project partners, including Focus 1000 and SEND Sierra Leone
• Ensure effective management by adhering to Plan's policies and the relevant Government authorities
• Ensure that project activities are conducted in a gender- responsive and disability- inclusive manner
• Ensure effective implementation of interventions, including capacity building trainings, advocacy and community mobilisation activities, etc.
• Develop and maintain project tracking systems to monitor progress, challenges and impact
• Provide technical support for the promotion of gender transformative approach to address gender- based violence and harmful practices, in project locations and at and at national level, contributing to the national agenda

2. Project Development and Implementation

• Develop and execute project work plans, ensuring the timely implementation of activities
• Oversee capacity building training for stakeholders, including government representatives
• Ensure gender equality and disability inclusion are mainstreamed in all project activities
• Ensure the development of knowledge management materials such as reports, case studies and best practices

3. Capacity Development & Team Management

• Provide technical guidance, mentorship and leadership to project staff to enhance their skills, knowledge and performance
• Develop and implement a staff capacity building plan to ensure high-quality project delivery

4. Financial Management

• Ensure effective project financial planning, tracking and reporting in collaboration with the grant and finance team
• In collaboration with the Grants and Finance department, ensure timely submission of project work plan, financial reports and donor reports in line with donor and organisational requirements
• Ensure efficient and transparent procurement of goods and services required for the project

5. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Fully monitor project implementation in line with the project theory of change and result framework
• In collaboration with the MERL team, carry out project monitoring and evaluation exercises in line with the M&E plan
• Conduct regular field visits to project operational areas to monitor project progress, observe implementation, identify gaps, provide on-the-spot coaching and mentorship to staff, etc
• Conduct month/quarterly project reviews and feedback sessions with partners and project participants
• Monitor project KPIs in SAP and PMERL and upload all MERL-related information into the system for regional reporting
• Submit a quarterly project report and update the Project log frame in collaboration with the MERL team
• Monitor the Detail Implementation plan (DIP) and update it on a regular basis for compliance with Country Office (CO) management standards and reporting
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports
• Ensure that projects maintain strong accountability mechanisms for project participants and donors
• Develop and maintain an effective risk management plan to address challenges in project implementation

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• Ensure the technical soundness, appropriateness and general quality delivery of project planning, implementation and evaluation
• Ensure gender equality and the rights of girls.
• Provide leadership in the project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; assess the integration of activities and outputs, outcomes and impact of program interventions and activities in the program area.
• Ensure M&E and learning in close collaboration with the M&E team.
• Ensure quality and timely reporting and documenting of project activities, including preparation of quarterly/yearly program progress reports.

Location: Mayamba District

Type of Role: Project manager

Reports to: Head of Programme Implementation

Grade: Level 15

Closing Date: 10th February 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.