The Organisation
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances childrenโs rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it is girls who are most affected.
Working together with children, young people, supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges girls and vulnerable children face. We support childrenโs 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.
For over 85 years, we have rallied other determined optimists to transform the lives of all children in more than 80 countries.
We wonโt stop until we are all equal.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced UN Policy and Advocacy Advisor to join our New York office on a maternity leave cover. This role will lead efforts to strengthen the childrenโs rights agenda at the UN, with a particular focus on girlsโ rights and engagement with the UN General Assembly and ECOSOC.
You will work with UN agencies, Permanent Missions, and civil society partners to influence international policy, ensure duty bearers uphold human rights obligations, and support the meaningful participation of children and young people in UN processes. Internally, youโll collaborate across Plan International offices to connect national and international advocacy efforts.
Key Responsibilities
Lead UN advocacy on childrenโs and girlsโ rights, integrating an age, gender, and diversity lens. Influence policy processes through strategic engagement with UN bodies and mechanisms. Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including UN officials and Permanent Missions. Support child and youth engagement in UN processes. Align internal advocacy efforts across Plan International offices.
About You
Weโre looking for a candidate with strong advocacy experience, particularly within the UN system, and a solid understanding of gender equality, human rights, and the Sustainable Development Agenda. Youโll have:
Proven experience influencing UN processes and engaging with UN bodies, government representatives, and NGOs. Strong knowledge of political trends affecting childrenโs and girlsโ rights. Ability to analyze policy documents through an age, gender, and diversity lens. Excellent advocacy, communication, and networking skills. Strategic thinker with sound political judgment and the ability to drive policy change. Skilled in organizing events, briefings, and trainings. Outstanding writing skills across formats, including social media. Fluent in English; another UN language is a plus. Confident using Microsoft Office and social media platforms.
Please respond to the requirements of the role in your cover letter.
Only CVs and cover letters in English will be accepted.
Please click here for the full role profile: UN PA Advisor - maternity leave cover_NYLO_Aug25.docx
Location: New York, USA. You will be required to be in the office at least 2 days per week. You must have the pre-existing right to live and work in New York
Type of Role: 6 months maternity cover role
Salary: $85,000 to $95,000 per annum pro rata.
Reports to: Head of New York Office and UN Representative
Closing Date: 14th Septemeber 2025 (UK Midnight)
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.
We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girlsโ rights and inclusion.
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. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.
A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.