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 this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected. 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. 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. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years, and are now active in more than 80 countries.

Location: The location of this role can be Flexible where Plan International has an office within (MEESA) Middle East, East and Southern Africa Region that can employ on behalf of the Regional Hub and you have the pre-existing right to work and live.

Applicable locations include:  Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Egypt, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sudan, Jordan, Lebanon, Somalia

Type of contract: Local fixed term contract as per employing office’s standard terms and conditions.

Salary: We will be happy to disclose the salary and applicable benefits to applicants as part of this process, however, please kindly note that the salary and employment benefits will be set according to your location and therefore it is not possible to include full details here. 

Closing Date: 28th June 2023

Role Purpose

This role will exist to strengthen Plan’s impact through more effective strategic partnerships, greater influence and more grant resources. While centred on strengthening external relations at above-country level, this role will also lead the following portfolio in the regional hub management team.

• Strategic Partnership and civil society engagement.
• Profiling of Plan among donors; driving identification of potential grant opportunities with new donors, expanding portfolio with existing donors and identifying multi-country funding opportunities.
• Overseeing the Communications function in the region (technical support on communications can come through the matrix management at the global hub
• RHMT lead on the “Locally led, globally connected” strategic agenda, though country specific activity will be led by the DSR

The position holder provides strategic and technical leadership and oversight to Plan MEESA’s External relations, Media and Communications work in the region. S/he champions the regional priorities in our strategic partnerships and engagement with actors and stakeholders at the regional level. S/he collaborates with the Global Engagement, Partnerships and Communications functions, drive MEESA priorities effectively support our goals. S/he supports capacity development and quality assurance measures for communication staff in MEESA and represents Plan MEESA in Plan’s global relevant networking fora.

Essential Knowledge and Experience

• In-depth knowledge of current issues and trends, in both the development and humanitarian sectors in the region of MEESA and beyond.
• Masters level required in one of the following fields: communication and Public Relations, international development and political sciences
• Demonstrated working knowledge of regional stakeholders and actors, such as national Governments, inter-governmental institutions, civil society and UN agencies, media and journalists
• Minimum of 5 years demonstrated experience of working as a manager with supervisory capacity and budget responsibility
• Proven experience to develop and implement strategic partnerships leading to business development and communication and media strategies
• Excellent understanding of child rights and gender equality as pre-conditions and ingredients for sustainable development.

Skills

• Exceptional conceptual and strategic thinking skills
• Business development skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues at long distances
• Excellence in written and spoken English
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation and public speaking in front of high-level audiences
• Ability to prioritize and multitask

Desirable

• Working knowledge of Portuguese or Arabic desirable.

Please follow this link for a full role profile

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.

Disclaimer: Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates