Country Director, West Africa at Plan International

Req id: 23368
Location: West Africa

Job Summary

• Plan International is evolving in response to shifts in international development and humanitarian response. We are doing this so we can continue to make a stand for children’s rights.
• Having identified girls as the most marginalised group, they will be our ongoing focus as we work towards helping 100 million girls learn, lead, decide and thrive within their communities. As we embark on this ambitious and exciting journey, we are recruiting for Country Directors across our West Africa Region.
• If you are passionate about advancing children’s rights and equality for girls, and if have a proven track-record of successfully leading a country through periods of transformation, we’d love to hear from you.

The Opportunity

• As a Country Director in West Africa, you will be Plan International’s lead representative with authority over all activities taking place there – especially with regard to our transformation work. In order to fulfil our mission of promoting girls’ rights across the region, we need someone who will be an effective director in times of change to ensure staff are engaged with our ambition and equipped to achieve it.
• You will be expected to develop strategies at country level that are aligned with Plan International’s global vision and purpose within the context of that country, in relation to children’s rights.  
• You will lead a highly motivated team and ensure legal compliance, implement a well-funded programme, be ready and able to respond to emergencies and development needs of the most marginalised children, especially girls.

Do you have what it takes?

• We are looking for Country Directors with proven successful experience of leading a country offices through significant change while effectively delivering strategic and large programmes. We would prefer you to have experience within large and complex humanitarian responses.
• You will have strong influencing skills, and the ability to represent your region at a senior level.
• You will also need a working knowledge of the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action, Minimum Standards for Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies, Sphere and the Red Cross/ NGO Code of Conduct.
• Excellent English and French language skills – both verbal and written – are essential for this role.
• Our organisational values are designed to help everyone who works with us achieve our ambitious goals for children, especially girls.

We are open and accountable:

• Promote a culture of transparency, including with sponsors and donors
• Hold ourselves and others accountable
• Are consistent and fair in the treatment of people
• Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them
• Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children and young people

We strive for lasting impact:

• Articulate a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations
• Create a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas
• Focus resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises
• Using evidence to evaluate effectiveness

We work well together:

• Seek constructive outcomes, listen to others, willing to compromise when appropriate
• Build constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals
• Develop trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities
• Engage and work well with others outside the organisation to build a better world for girls and all children

We are inclusive and empowering:

• We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential
• We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace
• We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives.