Adolescent SRH
Advisor
RECRUITMENT PACK
What you need to know
The post is Adolescent SRH Advisor and you’ll be in the Interact department.
The Adolescent SRH Advisor will work within the Interact programmes department to provide
technical expertise to Plan UK and through Plan UK to Plan Country programmes on adolescent SRH
programming. The role will be split 50% working on Plan DFID PPA programme and 40% working on
the corporate adolescent health programme which has a focus on SRH but also broader adolescent
health issues. 10% will be used for additional adolescent SRH support to Interact Worldwide and Plan
programmes. The Adolescent SRH Advisor will promote the involvement of adolescents in shaping
the services they need through social accountability mechanisms and will identify key partners and
position Interact as a thought leader in adolescent SRH.
It’s a fixed term contract (to commence as soon as possible to 31st of March 2014, with the possibility
for extension subject to funding) and a full time post at 34.5 hours a week [– we finish at 4.30pm on
a Friday].
What we’re looking for
The successful candidate will have experience of working on adolescent SRH – particularly on
demand-side issues - and broad adolescent health issues within the international development sector
at a senior level and delivery of robust international programme strategy. Experience of working at a
senior level in SRHR and HIV/AIDs sector and in participating in global consultations to influence
policy and practice all aspects of programme management and providing technical development
support to national and international organisations. Building effective relationships, demonstrating
leadership and exerting influence across different countries through acting in an advisory capacity are
also essential.
Please note: to apply for a position with Plan UK, you must be eligible to live and work in the
United Kingdom (in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006). Most
importantly, we follow stringent child protection policies and procedures when dealing with
applications.
What we offer you
This role is within the Grade 2 pay band, and the salary for this post is circa £39,000. Pay is
reviewed annually in January.
We have a generous annual leave entitlement which starts at 25 days (plus public holidays) for new
starters. It goes up to 30 once you’ve been with us for 6 years.
We match contributions up to 5% on the pension scheme (which you can join once you’ve been with
us for 3 months)
We aim to be a family-friendly employer, with enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave and
pay, as well as child care vouchers and a flexible working policy.
Even more benefits include season ticket loans, study loans, a healthcare plan; cycle scheme and
career break policy.
We would like all applications by 19th February.
Things you might want to know
We’ve included a job profile and person specification in this pack which sets out everything you would
have to do in the role and everything you would need to have to be able to do it.
Please use all of this information in your application as we will shortlist the applicants who show they
can do and have everything (or nearly everything!) that we ask for.
We do need to know the name of two referees, one of which should be your current or most previous
employer. We will not contact any of your referees until we are at a stage to offer you the position and
even then we will check with you to make sure it is ok.
We will contact all candidates to let you know whether you have been shortlisted for this post (usually
via email) so please wait to hear from us.
A bit of a background to Interact Worldwide
What is Interact Worldwide?
Interact is a technical development agency working on sexual and reproductive health rights.
Interact Worldwide’s Vision is a world where all people are equally able to enjoy sexual and
reproductive health and well-being, exercise their sexual and reproductive rights, and minimise their
vulnerability to HIV/AIDS.
Our Mission is strengthened and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights and
HIV/AIDS policies and services which empower poor, vulnerable, and marginalised people and lead
to positive sustainable changes in their quality of life.
In October 2009 IWW became part of the Plan family of worldwide charities. It retains its own Board,
vision, mission and strategy. We are now developing a new business plan increasing our focus on
adolescent SRH and increasing our collaboration with Plan UK further. In 2011 IW managed 15
projects in 6 countries through 26 local partners.
Advocacy, on a national and international scale, has always been central to Interact’s mission. In
order to secure health services for the millions worldwide who are deprived of their right to sexual
health, we link with other organisations in the Action for Global Health network. Interact has continued
to urge European governments to honour the promise they made at the millennium of ensuring
universal access to reproductive health supplies. Collectively with 14 organisations, we are part of
Countdown 2015 Europe, another strong body seeking real action for the 137 million women
worldwide who cannot obtain and use the contraception they want.
INTERACT WORLDWIDE JOB PROFILE
Department
Adolescent SRH Advisor (contract to 31/3/14; possible extension subject
to funding)
Interact Worldwide
Unit (if appropriate)
International Programmes Team
Reporting to
Interact Head of Programmes
Responsible for
Interns/ volunteers
Job Title
Overview of Department
Interact Worldwide (IW) partially merged with Plan International UK on October 1 st 2009. Both organisations
work towards improving the lives of children, youth and marginalised groups. We believe that the economies
of scale achieved through merger will enable more efficient use of aid funds with the added value of providing
a larger operational environment for Interact’s work in promoting linkages between Sexual Reproductive
Health and HIV/Aids particularly in relation to children, youth & other marginalised groups.
Interact Worldwide Programme team are both implementing projects through local partners, currently in India,
Pakistan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Malawi and Kenya, while increasingly also turning its focus on providing SRHR
technical assistance to the Plan family as well as to other partners ensuring an increased focus on SRHR
initiatives for adolescents .
Since 2011, Interact provides adolescent SRH technical expertise to the Plan UK flagship portfolio of projects
called “Building Skills for Life”, a multi-sectoral programme focused on empowering adolescent girls through
work on education, sexual and reproductive health, economic security and protection from violence. Currently,
within that portfolio, Interact provides adolescence SRH technical assistance to the “Young Health Programme
(YHP)” in partnership with AstraZeneca, Plan International and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public
Health implemented in 3 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America, and in the DFID-funded Programme
Partnership Arrangement on Building Skills for Life across 9 countries. The work focuses particularly on
awareness, knowledge and capacity of young women and men regarding their sexual and reproductive health
and rights, and supporting them to claim their rights and engage with service providers and governments to
ensure the provision of quality and relevant SRHR services. The position of Adolescent SRH Advisor will
provide continuous technical advice and support within the field of ASRH to Plan UK’s flagship programmes as
well as work closely within the IW Programmes Department to further strengthen its ASRH technical capacity,
create new partnerships for further ASRH initiatives and ensure learning across IW and Plan UK.
Job Purpose
The Adolescent SRH Advisor will work within the Interact programmes department to provide technical
expertise to Plan UK and through Plan UK to Plan Country programmes on adolescent SRH programming.
The role will be split 40% working on the corporate adolescent health programme which has a focus on SRH
but also broader adolescent health issues, and 60% working on the Plan DFID PPA programme and
supporting the development of Plan and Interact SRH programmes. The Adolescent SRH Advisor will promote
the involvement of adolescents in shaping the services they need through social accountability mechanisms
and will identify key partners and position Interact as a thought leader in adolescent SRH.
Key Accountabilities
Adolescent SRH Technical Support
to Plan PPA and global corporate
programmes
Key Elements
 Provide high level technical input to the PPA programme and the
global corporate programme in interventions related to adolescent
SRH, supporting the relevant Plan UK programme managers as well
as country office staff in the design of new progammes and the
monitoring of all programmes.
 Ensure that learning across all programmes is shared and used to
support policy change and new programme designs.
 Act as the adolescent health technical expert and technical
spokesperson for the global partnership both internally and
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To oversee and assure the quality
delivery of programming in
adolescent SRH
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To manage the effective use of IW
and Plan’s adolescent SRH
experience and expertise for
internal learning and external
influencing
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To effectively time manage
demanding priorities
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Other Responsibilities
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externally on UK and global platforms
Manage the relationship with an academic research partner within
the corporate partnership to explore and deliver on opportunities to
maximize the impact on the programme
Participate in global advocacy for YHP including authoring and
publishing articles and presenting at conferences
Identify and carry out research and analyze data for YHP
Work with programme officers to help shape local advocacy and
feed back into global level strategy
Ensure that consultancy, technical assistance and capacity building
support is appropriately identified, designed and delivered to a high
standard.
Keep up to date with the major issues and solutions pertaining to
adolescent and youth SRH
Work with other thematic specialists to understand and address the
impact of poverty on other thematic programmes and how it relates
to ASRH
Support IW and Plan Country Offices to understand and embed best
practice in adolescent SRH work within their programming.
Support the development of adolescent SRH interventions in Plan
“Building Skills for Life” projects, particularly PPA and the global
corporate programme.
Maintain an overview of the portfolio of IW and Plan UK adolescent
SRH projects and identify priorities for further project development in
line with the Programme Strategy, and in collaboration with other
thematic managers;
Provide technical support and capacity-building adolescent SRH to
Plan UK staff and Country Offices to assure the quality delivery of
relevant projects and programmes;
Oversee the on-going development and implementation of effective
monitoring & evaluation processes which capture the outcomes and
impact of IW and Plan UK adolescent SRH, working in collaboration
with the Learning & Impact Assessment Manager;
Report on progress towards meeting programme milestones to IW
and Plan senior management as required.
Represent IW and Plan UK’s adolescent SRH activities externally as
necessary, networking with appropriate organisations and other
stakeholders to share learning, strategic thinking and promote IW
and Plan UK, and to influence policy and practice in the sector.
Participate actively in the Plan International Technical Network on
SRHR
Write or contribute to publications and content on adolescent SRH
issues to a high standard for external – and often non-specialist stakeholders.
Coordinate with the Advocacy, Campaigns and Communications
department to ensure that relevant policy, advocacy and campaigns
work – especially the Because I Am a Girl campaign - are
strategically aligned with adolescent SRH programmes and well
informed by technical content
Effectively manage own time and contribution to at least two
demanding and expanding programmes
To coordinate on technical adolescent SRH issues between Interact
Worldwide, Plan programme department, and Plan corporate
fundraising department
In conjunction with IW, Plan programme department and Plan
corporate fundraising department, to coordinate with other Plan NOs
and COs as appropriate
Be aware of and operate within relevant Plan policies and
approaches, including Child Protection, Child-Centred Community
Development and Gender Equality.
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General
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Pro-actively share knowledge and experience of IW and Plan UK’s
adolescent SRH work with other Plan and Interact staff in relevant
meetings/conferences/seminars.
Attend Plan UK and Interact team meetings as appropriate.
Collect information for other departments on field trips, as
requested.
Undertake other tasks and projects as requested by the Interact
Head of Programmes.
This post will involve some overseas travel
To be open to change and demonstrate a flexible and adaptable
approach.
To work collaboratively with other departments and be a supportive
and effective team member.
To ensure that all activities undertaken on behalf of IW and Plan UK,
externally or internally, are executed in accordance with the overall
aims of the organisations and in line with IW/Plan’s policies and
procedures.
To participate in training and other activities as requested by the
organisation.
Stakeholder and Customer
Service
To provide quality customer service to all our respective audiences and
comply with IW/Plan UK’s quality management protocols.
Awareness and Representation
To promote positive and consistent messaging of IW/Plan and to
represent the organisation effectively.
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Key Deliverables
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Level of Child Protection
Responsibility
Level of Budgetary Responsibility
Key working contacts
Date Created
Successful delivery against adolescent SRH objectives of Plan Dfid
PPA programme and adolescent health on Plan’s global corporate
programme
A strong portfolio of Plan Country adolescent SRH work aligned to
the “Building Skills for Life” programme
High quality publications on adolescent SRH informing learning and
advocacy
High – will have direct unsupervised contact with children or control over
child protection policies or procedures. Must hold a clear enhanced CRB
disclosure.
Medium - Post has an advisory role over effective spending of large
budgets.
Interact programme department, Interact other departments, Plan Head of
Programme Support and Impact; Plan Thematic Advisors; Institutional
Donors & Grants Unit officers; Major Partnerships Unit officers; Advocacy
& Campaigns unit; Country Office programme staff.
November 2012
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Your job description may be subject to change.
INTERACT WORLDWIDE PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title
Adolescent SRH Advisor
Department
Interact Worldwide
Unit (if appropriate)
International Programmes Team
PERSONAL COMPETENCIES
Competency Title
Communicating with others
Team working and interpersonal skills
The successful candidate will be able to….
Be dynamic, enthusiastic and articulate. Excellent
interpersonal communication and presentation skills.
Use a high level of communication skills, both written and
verbal, in technical areas to foster partnerships, motivate
others and support advocacy objectives.
Network and form effective and constructive working
relationships across the whole organisation and wider
network within sector.
Managing Resources
Manage resources in a cost effective manner using
financial planning and budgeting skills
Drives Continuous Improvement
Keep up to date with key developments in adolescent
SRH issues so as to be able to spot new opportunities
and new learning as they may arise. Inspire others to
consistently seek innovative work methods and
continuous improvement by demonstration.
Customer Services
Provide a high level of customer service to all internal
and external stakeholders.
Managing Yourself
Delivery and Meeting Business Plan
Work on their own initiative with a flexible attitude to work
but to be able to manage two highly demanding
programmes
Be responsible for ensuring that adolescent SRH aspects
of the organisational business plan and the Programme
Strategy are achieved.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
The successful candidate will have experience of ….
working on adolescent SRH and broad adolescent health issues within the international development sector at
a senior level and delivery of robust international programme strategy
working at a senior level in SRHR and HIV/AIDs sector and in participating in global consultations to influence
policy and practice
all aspects of programme management and providing technical development support to national and
international organisations
monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of adolescent SRH programmes
engaging with key actors in the SRH sector
building effective relationships, demonstrating leadership and exerting influence across different countries
through acting in an advisory capacity
developing or supporting fundraising proposals related to adolescent SRH issues
preparing high quality and impactful publications for specialist and non-specialist audiences, including
policymakers
living and working in developing countries for international or local civil society organisations for a significant
period
supporting capacity-building and learning of staff in adolescent SRH issues
developing and delivering project proposals/reports from beginning to completion
working with institutional donors, corporate partners, fundraisers and policymakers
SPECIFIC SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
The successful candidate will have the ability to….
The successful candidate will have knowledge
of….
identify information requirements needed to design quality
adolescent SRH interventions (problem/ situation analysis
and response analysis)
specialist and current knowledge of best practice
in adolescent SRH policy and programming
communicate technical/ specialist issues to non-specialist
audiences
monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of
adolescent SRH programmes
effectively manage budgets
the funding and policy environment pertaining to
adolescent SRH
building links between programmes, policy and
advocacy
regional SRH&R and HIV/AIDs issues, initiatives
and policy context
general understanding and knowledge of
adolescent issues and programme interventions
Date Created
November 2012