Head of Humanitarian Programme

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 Nigeria aims to respond effectively, rapidly, and at significant scale to the core humanitarian needs of children and their families affected by the Boko Haram crisis in the North Eastern Nigeria. Specifically, Plan International Nigeria aims to minimize disruption to formal and non-formal education systems and to restore formal education services; strengthen the proactive environment for children and their families including age and gender appropriate services during and after disasters; create opportunities for and build capacity of young people affected by the armed conflict to generate income and to improve their life skills; and to become recognized actor in both in linking related community based interventions to national coordination and interagency mechanisms where Plan International Nigeria will gradually take on leadership functions. 

Therefore, the Head of Humanitarian Programme is responsible for the quality and effectiveness of Plan International Nigeria humanitarian Programme. Overseeing the development and implementation of the humanitarian programme Plan (incl. project implementation of different projects with different institutional donors and National Offices), maintaining the emergency master budget, ensure the regular development of Sitreps, representing the organisation at various clusters, working groups and towards external as well as internal (i.e Regional Office, IH, Lake Chad Basin Unit) humanitarian actors, being the overall line manager for the whole emergency response team which is spread across three locations (Abuja, Maiduguri and Mubi).

About You

We are seeking a graduate in any Social Studies discipline; International Relations, Humanitarian Affairs, Public Health, Development Studies, Emergency Management, Human Rights. A post-graduate degree (Master’s) is preferred. The candidate should have at least 7 years’ experience working in the sector, including humanitarian aid in complex and natural disaster as well as possess high level of all aspects of leadership and managerial experience, including managing multi-million Naira budgets. S/he should possess proven experience in complex decision making and leading a multi-disciplinary, multi-national team under difficult circumstances as well as demonstrate the highest level of expertise in representation and negotiation with governments and donors. Additionally, the candidate should have a strong understanding of the humanitarian emergency operating context, including Sphere, the humanitarian system, donors, security, civil military liaison and program management.

Please follow this link for a full role profile; JD - Head of Humanitarian Programme

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

Only CVs and cover letters in English will be accepted. 

Location: Maiduguri, Borno state

Type of Role: Fixed-term

Closing Date: 16th January 2025

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.