[Hiring] Head of Global Rapid Response and Readiness Unit @Plan International

Role Description

At Plan International, humanitarian scale-up is a central pillar of our global strategy. As humanitarian needs continue to grow in scale and complexity, we have established four new global humanitarian capability units to strengthen our readiness and response capacity, including the newly created Rapid Response and Readiness Unit.

This is a rare opportunity to establish and lead a critical global function at the forefront of Plan International's humanitarian work. As Head of the Rapid Response and Readiness Unit, you will:

• Drive organisational preparedness and lead high-profile emergency responses.
• Ensure Plan can mobilise quickly and effectively when crises occur.
• Lead a globally deployable team of humanitarian professionals and technical specialists.
• Work across country offices, regions, and national organisations to strengthen emergency capability.
• Support rapid scale-up in major emergencies and improve the quality and impact of humanitarian response.
• Contribute to strategic decision-making and organisational learning within the Global Humanitarian Team.
• Represent Plan International in senior-level humanitarian forums.
• Build relationships with donors and external partners.
• Help shape sector practice and policy.

Qualifications

• Significant senior-level experience leading humanitarian preparedness and emergency response programmes in complex international contexts.
• Proven experience managing large-scale emergency operations and deploying teams in disaster and conflict settings.
• Strong leadership experience, including managing multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed teams.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders, donors, governments, and humanitarian partners.
• Strong understanding of humanitarian standards, principles, and best practice, including CHS and Sphere.
• Experience developing organisational capability, systems, and processes that improve emergency readiness and response.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and stakeholder management skills.
• A commitment to innovation, learning, and continuous improvement within humanitarian operations.
• A passion for advancing the rights of children, particularly girls, in humanitarian settings.

Requirements

• Location: Flexible where Plan International has an office that can employ on behalf of the Global Hub and you have the pre-existing right to work and live.
• Type of Role: Fixed Term Contract
• Reports to: Global Humanitarian Director - Preparedness & Response
• Closing Date: 19th August 2026
• Interview Process: 1st stage interviews will begin w/c 24th August.

Benefits

• Equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.
• 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, girls’ rights, and inclusion.