Plan International Hiring Global Lead to Drive Efforts to End Child Marriage
Plan International has announced applications for the position of Lead – Ending Child Marriage, offering an experienced global development professional the opportunity to spearhead one of the organisation’s flagship initiatives focused on protecting girls’ rights and advancing gender equality.
The permanent leadership role is based preferably in Nairobi, Kenya, although candidates with the legal right to work in other countries where Plan International operates may also be considered. Applications close on 12 July 2026.
Global Leadership Role to Advance Girls’ Rights and Gender Equality
As one of the world’s leading humanitarian and development organisations, Plan International works in more than 80 countries to advance children’s rights and ensure girls can reach their full potential.
The new Lead – Ending Child Marriage position will oversee the organisation’s global strategy to address one of the most pressing challenges affecting adolescent girls worldwide. The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership to strengthen programmes that tackle the root causes of child marriage while promoting girls’ wellbeing, education, protection, health, and economic opportunities.
The role sits at the heart of Plan International’s commitment to creating a future where every girl has the freedom to make decisions about her own life.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will lead Plan International’s global flagship programme on ending child marriage while working closely with regional and country offices to maximise impact.
Primary responsibilities include:
- Developing and leading the global strategy to end child marriage
- Driving the organisation’s vision and long-term programme ambitions
- Building partnerships with donors, governments, and international stakeholders
- Leading resource mobilisation and fundraising initiatives
- Representing Plan International at global forums and policy discussions
- Strengthening advocacy campaigns and global communications on girls’ rights
- Promoting integrated programming across education, protection, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender-based violence prevention, and economic empowerment
- Aligning global, regional, and country teams within a matrix organisational structure
- Promoting evidence-based programming, innovation, and organisational learning
The position combines strategic leadership, technical expertise, policy influence, and partnership development.
Tackling the Root Causes of Child Marriage
Plan International emphasises that child marriage is driven by multiple interconnected factors that continue to affect millions of girls worldwide.
The Lead – Ending Child Marriage will help shape programmes that address:
- Harmful gender norms
- Poverty and economic inequality
- Gender-based violence
- Limited access to education
- Barriers to healthcare and sexual and reproductive health services
- Restricted economic opportunities for adolescent girls
Through integrated programming, the organisation aims to strengthen girls’ rights while empowering communities to create lasting social change.
Candidate Requirements
Plan International is seeking a highly experienced leader with a strong background in gender equality and international development.
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Extensive expertise in child marriage prevention and adolescent girls’ rights
- Strong understanding of gender equality and social inclusion
- Knowledge of youth-led development approaches
- Experience leading complex, multi-sector development programmes
- Proven ability to translate research and evidence into strategy and advocacy
- Strong experience in donor engagement and resource mobilisation
- Track record of building strategic partnerships and influencing policy
- Experience working within large, matrixed international organisations
- Excellent leadership, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills
The organisation is looking for a strategic professional capable of navigating complex global environments while driving meaningful organisational alignment.
Preferred Location with Global Flexibility
Plan International has indicated that Nairobi, Kenya is the preferred duty station for the role.
However, applications will also be considered from qualified candidates who:
- Have the legal right to live and work in another country where Plan International maintains an employing office
- Can be employed on behalf of the Global Hub under local employment arrangements
This flexible approach enables the organisation to attract experienced international development professionals from across its global network.
Permanent International Leadership Opportunity
The organisation is offering either:
- Permanent full-time employment, or
- A fixed-term contract based on the employing office’s standard employment conditions
The successful candidate will report through a matrix management structure to both the Director of Programme Impact & Innovations and the Regional Director for the Middle East, Eastern and Southern Africa.
Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Safeguarding
Plan International continues to reinforce its commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion across all areas of its work.
The organisation welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics.
As a global child-focused organisation, Plan International also maintains rigorous safeguarding standards. Successful applicants will undergo comprehensive pre-employment screening, including safeguarding checks and participation in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme to help protect children and vulnerable communities.
Application Deadline
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date:
- Position: Lead – Ending Child Marriage
- Organisation: Plan International
- Employment Type: Permanent or fixed-term
- Preferred Location: Nairobi, Kenya (globally flexible)
- Application Deadline: 12 July 2026
Opportunity to Lead Global Action Against Child Marriage
The Lead – Ending Child Marriage role presents a significant opportunity for experienced international development professionals to influence global efforts to protect girls’ rights and promote gender equality.
By leading strategy, advocacy, partnerships, and programme development, the successful candidate will help shape international action to eliminate child marriage while expanding educational, health, protection, and economic opportunities for millions of girls around the world.
