Regional Head of Programs, Partnerships and Influencing

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 this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And its girls who are most affected. Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

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.

Our global strategy has a specific focus on girls, as they are often the most marginalised and most often left behind. We have committed ourselves to the ambitious target of reaching 100 million girls over 5 years, to ensure they can learn, lead, decide and thrive. This is our contribution to reaching the sustainable development goals, and in particular the goals on gender equality.

Plan International has been working in the Asia Pacific (APAC) Region since 1960. Currently there are 12 Country Offices (COs) (Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam); 3 Fundraising Country National Offices (FCNOs) (Indonesia, India, and Philippines); and 4 National Offices (NOs) (Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, and Korea) in the Asia Pacific Region.

-

The Opportunity

We are seeking a bold, forward-thinking and innovative leader to join our AP Team as the Regional Head of Programs, Partnership and Influencing. In this senior role, you will – among other things:

• Lead the region in delivering high-impact, gender-transformative influencing and program development.
• Provide strategic guidance and support to the Regional Director and Directors of Sub Region, ensuring alignment with global and regional strategies.
• Oversee regional research, evidence generation, and knowledge sharing to drive data- and evidence-driven influencing.
• Ensure program quality standards are met and that the region is equipped for localization, decolonialization, and building better partnerships.
• Cultivate strategic partnerships and networks, including women- and youth-led organizations, to maximize program effectiveness and fundraising.
• Lead impactful communication, marketing, and campaign interventions to ensure strong visibility of the APAC region.
• Manage a small team of technical and functional staff, fostering a high-performing, values-driven culture.

For a detailed job description, PLEASE CLICK HERE

-

Do you have what it takes?

To be successful in this role you will need among other things:

• At least 10 years of progressive experience in the development sector, with a minimum of 4 years in senior leadership in international organizations.
• At least 5 years of working experience in the Asia Pacific region, with strong familiarity with the APAC context.
• Experience in one or more Plan International technical areas: Humanitarian/Climate Change, Inclusive Quality Education, Early Childhood Care and Development, child/youth engagement and advocacy, Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights, youth employment, civic space strengthening.
• Proven experience in project cycle and team management, needs assessments, and proposal development.
• Strong knowledge and experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL).
• Experience leading advocacy and policy work with government systems in Asia-Pacific.
• Strong understanding of localization and decolonization approaches to development and humanitarian work.
• Demonstrated knowledge of gender analysis, rights-based program approaches, and child safeguarding principles.
• Excellent communication skills, cultural sensitivity, and fluency in English
• Experience in humanitarian programming and alternative financing models is desirable

-

Location: Flexible - in an Asia Pacific Country where there is already a Plan presence

Expected: Fixed Term 2 Year contract (possibility of extension) starting in January 2026

Contact Type: Local terms and Conditions (no expat benefits)

Reports to: Director of Sub Region (subject to change)

Closing Date: 02 November 2025

-

This is a local contract, and there are no expat benefits available such as relocation package (no exceptions)

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy.

As an international child centred community development organisation, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realisation of children's rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.

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. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for. Our organisation 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 will provide equality of opportunity and will not tolerate discrimination on any grounds. We foster an organisational culture that embraces and exemplifies our commitment to gender equality, girls' rights and inclusion while supporting staff to adopt good practice, positive attitudes and principles of gender equality and inclusion.