Head of Global Media and Public Relations

The Organisation Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s 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 children’s 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 won’t stop until we are all equal. The Opportunity This role leads Plan International’s global media engagement and public positioning at a pivotal moment for the organisation and the wider sector. It sits at the heart of how we shape our external voice—driving visibility, influence and credibility on some of the most pressing issues affecting girls’ rights and humanitarian response worldwide. As the organisation’s senior global media specialist, the post holder sets the strategic direction for global media engagement, ensuring a clear, consistent and compelling narrative across diverse markets and audiences. This includes identifying opportunities to elevate Plan International’s voice in global conversations, while navigating complex and often high-risk operating environments. The role plays a critical part in managing and strengthening the organisation’s reputation. It leads the global approach to crisis and issues communications, working at pace and with sound judgement to manage risk, guide leadership decision-making, and coordinate responses across the organisation. The post holder is a trusted advisor to senior leadership and the Leadership Team, providing insight, analysis and direction on sensitive and high-profile issues. Operating across a decentralised organisation, the role builds strong, collaborative relationships with communications teams worldwide, connecting global priorities with local expertise to deliver greater collective impact. It leads the media dimension of major humanitarian responses, ensuring timely, coordinated and high-quality communications during emergencies. With responsibility for a small team and specialist resources, the role combines strategic leadership with hands-on delivery, bringing a proactive, solutions-focused approach to a fast-moving and complex global environment. The post holder provides expert external engagement analysis and advice across multiple functions: humanitarian, policy, advocacy, campaigns, programmes, research and knowledge management, sponsorship, government relations and global partnerships. The role has four direct line reports. From time to time the post holder is also responsible for managing external consultants when needed and has budget responsibility. The role is vital in fostering collaborative content gathering remotely therefore an ability to build relationships around the world to this end is important, as well as a creative can-do approach to the challenge this gives the organisation. Accountabilities Global media strategy and influence Lead and deliver a global media strategy that strengthens Plan International’s visibility, credibility and influence on girls’ rights and humanitarian issues Identify and secure high-impact media opportunities that advance organisational priorities and shape public and policy conversations Provide strategic communications leadership across advocacy, campaigns, research, partnerships and programmes to maximise external impact Continue to develop and maintain network with international media, and counterparts working within operational par