Director of Global Affairs

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.

The Opportunity

Plan International is entering an inspiring new chapter in our journey. As part of our operating model review, we are evolving our Leadership Team structure to strengthen how we lead and deliver together. This transformation builds on a strong foundation and positions us to be more agile, cohesive, and impact-driven. Our new leadership model fosters faster decision-making, clearer accountability, and a culture of collaboration and empowerment across all levels.

If you are passionate about driving performance and shaping the future, this is your opportunity to make a real difference. We are deeply ambitious for our organisation—courageous in holding ourselves and others to account, yet humble in our approach.

Our vision is bold: to become the thought leader and the go-to for girls in crisis. In a sector facing unprecedented challenges, we need leaders who are strong, steady, and resilient—ready to navigate storms and emerge stronger. If you share this ambition and have the courage to lead with integrity and transform the lives of girls worldwide, join us to help shape the future of Plan International.

Plan International is seeking a Director of Global Affairs to elevate our voice, sharpen our influence, and strengthen our reputation on the global stage. This role will lead our advocacy at the highest levels of the UN and other multilateral fora, while ensuring that our brand and communications inspire engagement, and action, across internal and external audiences.

As the organisation continues to adapt to a rapidly changing world, the Director will lead a streamlined and impact-led function that prioritises strategic influence, global positioning, and fundraising effectiveness. This role will be pivotal in shaping how Plan International speaks with one voice, builds alliances, and drives collective action to advance children’s rights and equality for girls.

The Director of Global Affairs provides strategic leadership for Plan International’s global positioning, advocacy, and communications, ensuring that the organisation has strong visibility, influence, and credibility on issues impacting children, especially girls. The role works across Plan International to set direction for Plan’s global advocacy agenda, oversees global brand and communications, and ensures alignment and integration of internal and external communications.

The Director will lead a multi-skilled team focused on delivering core value through, high-impact campaigns aligned with organisational priorities as well as global moments. The role will leverage real-time intelligence and feedback systems to ensure relevance, agility, and measurable outcomes.

The Director works closely with senior leaders, Country Offices, Regions, and National Organisations to build influence, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and ensure a consistent and values-based narrative across the organisation.

Please follow this link for a full role profile; JD_Director of Global Affairs.docx 

Location: The location of this role can be flexible where Plan International has an office* that can employ on behalf of the Global Hub. 

Reports to: Chief Impact Officer

Closing Date: Friday 28th November

First round interviews are planned to take place on the 4th and 5th December. Second round interviews are planned for the 15th and 17th December. 

*Plan International has offices in the following locations: Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin,, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, China, Colombia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

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.