Head of Mission, Chad

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 Chad is one of Plan International’s newest and fastest-growing country programmes in West and Central Africa. Registered in 2021 and operational since 2023, the country office was established against the backdrop of the Sudan refugee crisis and has rapidly expanded its presence and impact. Today, Plan Chad delivers integrated humanitarian and development programmes across education in emergencies, child protection, nutrition, cash assistance, WASH, and sexual and reproductive health, helping children, young people and communities affected by displacement, crisis and inequality.

As Plan International continues to grow its programme and influencing footprint in Chad, we are seeking an experienced, strategic and values-driven Head of Mission to lead the next phase of our development.

The Head of Mission will provide overall leadership for Plan International’s humanitarian, development and advocacy portfolio in Chad, ensuring the organisation delivers high-quality, impactful and accountable programmes that advance children’s rights and gender equality, particularly for girls and the most vulnerable communities. They will be responsible for setting strategic direction, leading and developing a high-performing team, strengthening partnerships and securing sustainable funding to support ambitious programme growth.

This is a highly visible leadership role requiring strong external representation with government authorities, donors, UN agencies, international and national NGOs, community organisations and other key stakeholders. The successful candidate will drive Plan International’s positioning as a leading voice for children and girls in Chad while ensuring programmes remain relevant, evidence-based and responsive to emerging humanitarian and development needs.

The Head of Mission will oversee all aspects of country operations, including programme quality, financial stewardship, risk management, safety and security, safeguarding, people leadership and organisational effectiveness. They will foster an inclusive, high-performing culture that prioritises staff wellbeing, accountability and continuous learning while ensuring robust emergency preparedness and the safe delivery of programmes in a complex operating environment.

We are looking for a proven senior leader with significant experience managing humanitarian and development programmes in fragile or conflict-affected contexts, preferably within West and Central Africa or the wider Sahel region. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record in donor engagement, business development, partnership management and organisational growth, alongside demonstrated expertise in security and risk management, localisation and working through partners. Fluency in French and English is essential. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead a growing organisation at a pivotal moment, driving meaningful change for children, young people and communities across Chad.

As a member of the West and Central Africa Regional Leadership Team, the Head of Mission will contribute to regional strategy, collaboration and learning, helping to shape Plan International’s broader impact across the region.

Location: N'Dajamena, Chad

Type of Role: Two year fixed term contract. This is a global search and support with relocation is available as required. 

Reports to: Director of Sub Region

Closing Date: Monday 28th September 

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.