PLAN INTERNATIONAL
Plan International is a rights-based development and humanitarian organization working for better lives for all children. We are independent of government and have no political or religious affiliation. Our purpose is to strive for a just world that advances childrenโs rights and equality for girls. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.
Plan Internationalโs programming within the Middle East, Eastern and Southern Africa (MEESA) region is recognised as being contextually relevant offering community driven solutions that reflect the long-term investments made in the communities, we work in. Programming forms the back-bone of our work, informing our related work streams - including influencing, sponsorship; Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL); and girls as agents of change through our Girlsโ Get Equal campaign.
THE ROLE PURPOSE
The role acts as a strategic catalyst and enabler for Country Offices (COs), driving the identification, development, and securing of innovative and non-traditional funding streams beyond conventional Overseas Development Assistance (ODA). It responds to an evolving donor landscape marked by increased focus on private capital, climate and blended finance, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and philanthropic foundations. By brokering strategic partnerships, strengthening market positioning, and advancing multi-country investment opportunities aligned with CO priorities, the role enhances the competitiveness and income-generation capacity of COs.
The role plays a critical function in operationalising Plan Internationalโs ambition for diversified, sustainable, and locally led programming. It works to unlock strategic financing pathways, and position COs as key partners of choice in delivering transformative impact for children and communities across the region.
DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE
Strategic Catalyst for Non-Traditional Resource Mobilisation: This role drives innovation in Plan MEESAโs fundraising agenda by unlocking non-traditional and under-tapped financing sources - including philanthropic foundations, regional development banks, private sector actors, climate finance, and Islamic or diaspora funding. The ideal candidate brings strong networks and a proven ability to generate strategic partnerships and raise funds beyond traditional institutional donors. Regional Lead in Shaping New Fundraising PracticeLeads efforts to embed more agile, opportunity-driven resource mobilisation across the MEESA region. Promotes adaptive, forward-looking approaches that align with country-level priorities and regional shifts in the funding landscape, particularly in emerging and underutilised financing spaces. Influential, Matrixed Leadership: Operates across the Plan International federation in a matrixed and networked way, providing strategic leadership in resource mobilisation without line management. Aligns efforts with Country Offices, Regional Clusters, National Offices, and the Global Hub, setting shared priorities and catalysing action across functions. External Representation and Influence: Represents Plan International with credibility and influence in key regional and global platforms, positioning the organisation as a compelling partner for innovative financing. Brings deep experience in cultivating donor relationships and securing funding, especially in competitive and evolving donor environments. Value-Adding, Not Duplicative: This role complements - not duplicates - Country Office business development functions. It adds targeted value where COs have limited access to non-traditional donors, focusing on positioning, regional opportunity development, and technical support for complex or high-potential bids. Mutual Accountability with Country Offices: While the position is hosted by the Regional Hub, performance accountability will be shaped in close consultation with supported Country Offices, ensuring relevance, responsiveness, and shared ownership of results.
Accountabilities and Responsibilities
1. Drive Non-Traditional Resource Mobilisation Strategy, Innovation, and Income Generation
Secure significant new funding for Plan MEESA by targeting non-traditional donors, including regional development banks (e.g. AfDB), philanthropic foundations, climate finance mechanisms, impact investors, ESG-aligned funds, Islamic finance, diaspora philanthropy, and tech and innovation partners. Design innovative, investable funding models and co-create concepts aligned with non-traditional donor interests, including social enterprises, catalytic capital, and blended finance approaches with the goal of unlocking new financial flows into Planโs work. Initiate or join strategic consortia and influence funding priorities to reflect Planโs leadership in gender equality, youth empowerment, and locally led programming. Collaborate with National Offices and the Global Hub to tailor engagement strategies, develop compelling, mission-aligned value propositions, and convert positioning efforts into secured funding.2. Drive Strategic Intelligence, Positioning, and Pipeline Development
Lead donor and funding landscape analyses to identify emerging opportunities and regional funding trends, including in non-traditional financing and share intelligence with Country Offices. Support the development of customised donor engagement strategies for countries and sub-regions, aligning them with Planโs regional programmatic strengths. Track and share high-value multi-country and regional opportunities, supporting timely Go/No-Go decisions. Proactively generate new leads and position Plan competitively by participating in strategic networks, donor forums, and key regional platforms. Represent the region in engagements that build visibility with both traditional and non-traditional donors driving systems change.3. Regional Donor Engagement & Relationship Brokering
Serve as a strategic connector between Country Offices and regionally based actors such as AfDB, World Bank regional teams, Mastercard Foundation, and Gates Foundation. Cultivate and manage regional relationships with both established and non-traditional donors. Lead pre-positioning and co-creation efforts in collaboration with donor stakeholders. Provide donor intelligence briefs and coaching to Country Offices to enhance readiness and competitiveness.4. Shape and Influence Regional and Global Funding Strategies
Feed MEESA-specific insights into the development of Planโs global resource mobilisation and funding strategies. Support the Regional Leadership Team in engaging key donors and development actors to elevate Planโs profile and partnerships. Track and share trends in development finance, localisation, reparative funding, and ESG-linked investments, using insights to shape strategic positioning and program design.5. Sub-Regional Collaboration & Multi-Country Technical Support
Provide surge technical support for multi-country proposals, consortium development, and high-value opportunity positioning. Enable cross-border pipeline development, intelligence-sharing, and scalability of donor engagement strategies. Ensure quality assurance and alignment throughout the proposal process, especially for complex and non-traditional funding sources.6. Capacity Strengthening, Learning & Knowledge Exchange
Build CO capabilities in engaging non-traditional donors through coaching, strategy development, and materials such as pitch decks and business cases. Facilitate regional knowledge exchange, sharing replicable tools, learning, and successful models across countries. Embed a culture of innovation in business development practice through continuous learning and cross-country collaboration.7. Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI)
Technical expertise, skills and knowledge
Key Competencies
Strategic Opportunity Thinking: Thinks several steps ahead to anticipate where funding is going; connects Planโs value proposition with future donor priorities; spots trends early and positions the organisation accordingly. Donor-Centric Influence & Storytelling: Builds trust and resonance with donors through tailored, compelling narratives grounded in evidence, values, and results. Frames Planโs offer in ways that speak to donor motivations. Entrepreneurial Drive & Commercial Acumen: Seeks out and seizes opportunities with urgency and focus. Understands deal dynamics, return on investment, and risk. Operates with a โhunterโ mindset while maintaining strategic alignment. Adaptive Collaboration: Works fluidly across countries, cultures, and functions to co-create proposals, concepts, and engagement strategies. Brings together the right people at the right time to drive results. Systems Thinking & Strategic Alignment: Connects donor and market intelligence with Planโs strategic and programmatic ambitions. Aligns funding efforts with impact priorities and ensures resource mobilisation enables scale and sustainability. Negotiation & Partner Engagement: Manages relationships and partnerships with nuance, diplomacy, and confidence. Can negotiate roles, resources, and shared value in consortium or blended funding arrangements. Innovation & Financial Fluency: Understands new financing models and mechanisms (e.g., catalytic grants, blended finance, ESG, Islamic finance). Explores how Plan can participate in or design such approaches. Resilience & Results Orientation: Bounces back from setbacks, learns from failed bids, and maintains momentum. Brings energy and discipline to closing deals and meeting revenue targets. Insight-Led Decision Making: Uses data and intelligence to prioritise, qualify, and act on opportunities. Brings rigour to pipeline management and decision-making processes (e.g., Go/No-Go). Coaching & Capacity Building: Elevates the skills of others by transferring knowledge, tools, and strategies. Strengthens the broader organisationโs ability to win resources and build donor confidence.
Knowledge and experience
Masterโs degree or equivalent experience in International Development, Business, Public Policy, or related fields. Minimum of 7โ10 years of progressive experience in fundraising, partnership building or business development in INGOs, donor agencies, or social enterprises. Proven track record of securing funding from non-traditional sources (e.g. Foundations, corporates, IFIs). Deep understanding of regional donor landscapes across Africa and the Middle East. Excellent relationship management, strategic thinking, and cross-cultural communication. Capacity to plan, prioritize and execute autonomously with a strategic approach. Capacity to adapt to different audiences and structures Deep understanding of communication โ written, verbal, visual - for influencing and positioning Good team player in a โmatrix managed' environment. Excellent writing/editing, and presentation communications skills; Excellent coordination, organizational and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels, and pull together input from a diverse team across multiple locations; Strong results orientation with ability to challenge existing mindsets;
Please copy the following link in your browser to access the full Job Description: https://planinternational-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/mercy_nyambura_plan-international_org/EW9GO4-ETSxBnWi1jV_HrUcB2YFEZXNuklyTkjPDw5kqvg?e=jIRRyE
Location: Middle East, Eastern and Southern Africa (MEESA) region
Reports to: Regional Director, MEESA
Closing Date: 7th August 2025
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.