Director of External Communications

About the Organisation

Plan International is a global development and humanitarian organisation focused on children’s rights and on advancing equality for girls. Its work is rooted in the belief that every child has potential, while recognising that poverty, violence, discrimination and exclusion often prevent children from thriving, with girls disproportionately affected.

Working with children, young people, supporters and partners, the organisation aims to address the underlying causes of the challenges faced by girls and vulnerable children. It supports children from birth through adulthood and helps them prepare for, and respond to, crises and adversity. Through practical action, evidence and advocacy, Plan International influences policy and practice at local, national and global levels.

With more than 85 years of history, the organisation operates in over 80 countries and continues to work towards a world where all people are equal.

Role Overview

As Director of External Communications, you will shape and drive a global communications strategy that expands influence, elevates the voices of girls and young people, and safeguards the organisation’s reputation across the world.

You will lead coordination across Plan International entities, strengthen storytelling and messaging, and help position the organisation as a leading authority on girls’ rights and child rights advocacy.

What the Role Involves

• Set global direction for external communications and ensure teams across the organisation work in a joined-up way to achieve communication goals.
• Manage and develop two direct reports and their wider teams, with around 12 people in total, while hiring and supporting strong talent in an inclusive environment.
• Develop strong working relationships with communications colleagues across Plan International entities and encourage shared standards, best practice and collaboration.
• Promote ethical, high-impact storytelling that reflects the organisation’s values, including anti-racism and safeguarding, and accurately communicates both development and emergency response work.
• Oversee digital and social media campaigns that raise awareness, deepen engagement and build support for the mission and strategic campaigns.
• Lead the organisation’s brand approach to maintain a consistent, confident and globally recognisable presence.
• Coordinate rapid communications responses to major global developments and emergencies in partnership with regional hubs and country offices.
• Serve as the main point of contact for crisis communications and provide senior leaders with advice on reputational risk and complex issues.
• Encourage innovation by adopting new communication technologies, especially those used widely by young audiences.
• Support the publication of reports and reviews and help extend the reach of Plan International’s research and thought leadership through modern platforms and media.

About You

You should bring senior-level communications experience in large, international and matrixed organisations, along with a strong record in strategic communications, brand positioning, media, digital engagement and campaign leadership.

You will be a collaborative, values-led leader who approaches storytelling with ethics, inclusion and awareness of power dynamics.

Required Experience and Skills

• Significant experience leading communications teams in complex international settings, with proven success in strategic communications and brand leadership.
• Strong understanding of international affairs, especially issues affecting children and young people, with the ability to anticipate sector-wide trends.
• Excellent leadership and people management ability, including supporting and developing diverse teams across multiple locations.
• Advanced capability in media relations, public relations and digital communications, including work with international media.
• Demonstrated experience managing reputation and crisis communications, including advising senior executives in high-risk situations.
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills, with the ability to influence governments, donors, partners and public audiences.
• Strong commitment to the organisation’s mission and values, including diversity, equity, inclusion and safeguarding.
• English is required; French or Spanish would be an advantage.

Working Arrangements

This position can be based in any location where Plan International has an office able to employ on behalf of the Global Hub, provided you already have the right to live and work there. The preferred working pattern aligns with UTC hours.

The role may be offered as a permanent position or as a fixed-term contract, depending on the employing office’s standard terms and conditions.

The position reports to the Executive Director of Global Affairs.

Equality, Safeguarding and Recruitment Checks

Plan International is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and aims to reflect the communities it serves. The organisation welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

The workplace culture is built on inclusion and supports racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and belonging.

Because child safety is a core responsibility, the organisation carries out pre-employment checks in line with its safeguarding policy. It also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and may request information from previous employers regarding findings or investigations related to sexual exploitation, sexual abuse or sexual harassment. By applying, candidates acknowledge and accept these recruitment procedures.

Plan International will never request payment from candidates by email.

Additional Information

Location: Globally flexible, with preferred timezone alignment to UTC.

Closing date: Sunday 12th July.

Applicable locations: Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, China, Colombia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Openings: Not specified.