Project and Programme Management Specialist - (Middle East and Southern Africa)

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 

This position will lead in strengthening Project Management including the development of a strong project management culture globally with focus on the Middle East and Southern Africa programs. The role is part of the Global Hub Project and Funds team. It is a strategic, hands-on role that will work directly with Country Offices in strengthening project cycle management through assessments, training, generating policies, procedures and guidance that will strengthen how we deliver impactful programs that embed quality, consistency and innovation. 

The Individual 

This is an important role that will engage strategically across functional and geographical boundaries across the organisation. Therefore, you will be required to have demonstrable experience in managing INGO programmes in the field both at strategic and operational levels. Experience developing global procedures and guidance for INGO programme and project management, building capacities in project management through direct and remote support is also essential. 

You will need to be proactive, diligent, and results-focused with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. 

With strong collaboration and networking skills, you will need to influence, engage and build cooperation across multiple stakeholders with different perspective.

Please respond to the requirements of the role in your cover letter.

Only CVs and cover letters in English will be accepted

Please click here for the full role profile:   Project and Programme Management Specialist JD MEESA OCT 2025.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 and you have the pre-existing right to work and live. You may be remote/hybrid working depending on where you are based. Some travel may be required for this role. 

*Applicable locations include: Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, 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, 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, US, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Type of role: 2 Year Fixed term contract 

Reports to:  Head of Projects and Funds.

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: 7th November 2025 (UK Midnight)

Anticipated 1st round interview: 20th and 21st November

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.