Plan International Hiring Regional Strategy, Programmes & Influencing Director: Senior Leadership Role Across West and Central Africa (flexible, remote position)

Overview

Plan International is hiring a Regional Strategy, Programmes and Influencing Director for its West and Central Africa (WACA) region. It is a senior leadership role aimed at experienced professionals in strategy, programme delivery, influencing, advocacy, partnerships and leading dispersed teams. Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation working on children's rights and equality for girls in more than 80 countries.

The director will drive delivery of the global strategy in the region with Country Offices, National Offices and the Global Hub, lead strategic programming and influencing, and build partnerships. Duties include ensuring high-quality gender-transformative programming, supporting country offices, representing Plan International in regional spaces and with liaison offices linked to the United Nations, African Union and European Union, advancing the locally led, globally connected agenda, supporting multi-country projects and funding, and building networks with donors, governments and civil society. The role also strengthens Plan International WACA's standing as a girls' rights thought leader.

The director line-manages regional advisors, managers and specialists in advocacy and influencing, communications, gender equality and inclusion, MERL, performance planning and insights, project and programme management, and strategy and organisational design.

Who can apply

Plan International wants a senior leader with 10 or more years of experience and a record of leading cross-functional, multi-country teams. The location is flexible across countries where Plan International operates in the region: Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

Requirements

Candidates need experience developing partnerships in development and humanitarian settings, strong programme development and quality expertise, and experience influencing and engaging policymakers across West and Central Africa. A strong understanding of rights-based and gender-transformative approaches is essential, along with excellent communication, negotiation and networking skills. Fluency in both English and French is required. Travel can be up to 60 percent.

Key dates

The vacancy was posted on September 10, 2026, and the closing date is September 12, 2026.