Plan International was founded over 75 years ago with a mission to promote and protect the rights of children. The organisation was set up by British journalist John Langdon-Davies and refugee worker Eric Muggeridge in 1937, with the original aim to provide food, accommodation and education to children whose lives had been disrupted by the Spanish Civil War. Langdon-Davies conceived the idea of a personal relationship between a child and a sponsor – a model that puts the child at the centre, and remains the core of what we do. Today, Plan International is a global organisation that is active in over 70 countries to advance children’s rights and equality for girls. Who We Are We work with communities around the world to end the cycle of poverty for children. We work with communities around the world to end the cycle of poverty for children. Founded over 70 years ago, Plan is a nearly $800 million organization often ranked among the top 10 international development agencies by reputation, size and scope. We work side-by-side with communities in 50 developing countries to end the cycle of poverty for children, developing solutions to ensure long-term sustainability. Our level of community engagement, long-term outlook and constant focus on the needs and priorities of children is unique among international development organizations. Our solutions are designed up-front to be owned by communities for generations to come and range from clean water and health care programs, to education projects and child protection initiatives. Community by community, Plan works to promise futures that are worthy of all children’s potential. Our Vision Our vision is of a world in which all children realize their full potential in societies that respect people’s rights and dignity. Our Mission Plan strives to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of vulnerable children in developing countries by: Enabling children, their families and their communities to meet basic needs and to increase their ability to participate in and benefit from their societies; Fostering relationships to increase understanding and unity among peoples of different cultures and countries; and Promoting the rights and interests of the world’s children.
- Job Type: Full Time
- Qualification: BA/BSc/HND
- Location: Not specified
- Job Field: Media / Advertising / Branding , NGO/Non-Profit
The Opportunity
In this new role, the Head of Engagement leads the “One Plan” approach in driving the Global Strategy through collective influencing, ensuring Plan International is seen as a global leader in girls rights and girls in crisis. As part of the refreshed remit of the Strategy and Engagement department and in partnership with the Chief Strategy and Engagement Officer (also a new role) – there is increased focus and support on ensuring Plan International’s policy, advocacy, and influencing profile is more visible and effectively communicates the global impact we have – via our youth centred approach.
Using the Global Strategy, Global Advocacy Strategy (GLAS), and Global Influencing Ambition (GIA) – Plan has outlined on average 6 global engagement opportunities per fiscal year – that leverage policy windows, enhance advocacy outcomes, fundraising opportunities, and partnership development.
Our preparations for these engagement opportunities must be holistic “One Plan” and encompass many key departments within Global Hub, but also equally importantly across Regional Hubs, National Organisations, and Country Offices, whilst also ensuring Disaster Risk Management (DRM), Policy & Advocacy, and Girls and Youth Power and Action Hub (GYPA) colleagues can continue to lead on thematic and technical expertise while ensuring coordination is overseen by the Engagement Hub.
The Head of Engagement will lead the overall Plan International Engagement Strategy – from structure, to priorities, to process – in partnership with the Head of Profession for Policy & Advocacy – and working closely with the GLAS Steering Committee, and other key internal and external stakeholders.
The Individual
The following requirements are essential;
- Proven commitment to and expertise in advancing Plan International’s Purpose to advance children’s rights and equality for girls (in all their diversity), gender equality, diversity and inclusion .
- Ability to think critically and to research and analyse complex information.
- Ability to assess risks, issues and opportunities with a high degree of coherence and clarity to solve complex problems and innovate.
- Experience of planning and prioritisation of external global engagement initiatives, projects and work programmes to achieve quality outcomes and benefits within agreed timelines.
- Strong background in public affairs, advocacy, government relations or other similar field – expert understanding of and ability to navigate global political environment
- Strong project management skills and the ability to report and resolve risks, issues and dependencies.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and strength in forming relationships and supporting colleagues to deliver on their commitments within corporate policies, values and established good practice.
- High degree of cultural sensitivity within a global context.
- Ability to communicate with clarity and effectiveness to different audiences, using a range of media.
- Experience of providing professional advice and guidance to leaders within an organisation of comparable complexity.
- Staff management and motivation skills.
- Business administration and/or project management qualifications
- Experience of working within a global organisation.
