The Organization

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.

Working in Zambia since 1996, Plan International Zambia’s development and humanitarian programmes focus primarily on Inclusive Quality Education, Skills and Opportunities for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship, Reproductive Health and Rights, Early Childhood Development and Gender Responsive Child Protection. Child protection is key in all that we do. Plan International Zambia has Programme Areas (PAs) in; Central, Luapula, and Eastern Provinces including in Lusaka, where the Country Office is located.

The Opportunity

The Head of Programs (HoP) will provide strategic program planning, design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation in line with the Programme Quality and Influencing Approach. The HoP will be responsible for leading, managing, and supporting all Programme, Monitoring and Evaluation to ensure the delivery of quality and integrated programming in line with the Country Strategy (CS), as well as organizational standards, frameworks, and procedures. The HoP will also provide external representation and recognition of Plan International Zambia with various stakeholders for collaborative working relationships to position Plan International Zambia as a global leader in achievement of girls’ rights.

Strategic Leadership & Programme Direction

Leads the implementation of the Country Strategy, ensures high‑quality development and humanitarian programmes, oversees planning, monitoring, research, and reporting, and promotes feminist and value‑based leadership.

Accountabilities

• Drives strategic partnerships with government, civil society, private sector, academia, youth groups and networks, ensuring alignment with partnership principles and strengthening the organisation’s visibility and influence.
• Develops and supports evidence‑based advocacy strategies, influences key decision‑makers on girls’ rights, and ensures strong coordination between advocacy and communications.
• Ensures programmes meet global standards, promotes learning and innovation, embeds gender equality and safeguarding, and strengthens the capacity of partners and stakeholders.
• Provides leadership and direction to programme teams, builds high‑performing and safe work environments, nurtures organisational values, and ensures effective performance management and staff development.
• Oversees resource mobilisation, budget utilisation and donor compliance, ensures timely grant management, leads on audits and risk management, and enforces safeguarding, gender equality and organisational policies.

What you will bring to the role

• A Master’s Degree in Development, Social Work, Social Sciences, International Relations or similar field.
• 10 years of relevant experience in INGO Sector or demonstrated equivalent combination.
• At least 7 years’ experience in managing development programme in the country within the INGO sector.
• Proven experiences and ability to coordinate and collaborate with different civil society and Community based organization.
• Demonstrable working experience in development programme.
• Knowledge of developmental agendas in complex and protracted development and humanitarian landscape.
• Demonstrated track record of proposal writing and budget management.

• Drives strategic partnerships with government, civil society, private sector, academia, youth groups and networks, ensuring alignment with partnership principles and strengthening the organisation’s visibility and influence.
• Develops and supports evidence‑based advocacy strategies, influences key decision‑makers on girls’ rights, and ensures strong coordination between advocacy and communications.
• Ensures programmes meet global standards, promotes learning and innovation, embeds gender equality and safeguarding, and strengthens the capacity of partners and stakeholders.
• Provides leadership and direction to programme teams, builds high‑performing and safe work environments, nurtures organisational values, and ensures effective performance management and staff development.
• Oversees resource mobilisation, budget utilisation and donor compliance, ensures timely grant management, leads on audits and risk management, and enforces safeguarding, gender equality and organisational policies.

• Proven experiences and ability to coordinate and collaborate with different civil society and Community based organization.
• Demonstrable working experience in development programme.
• Knowledge of developmental agendas in complex and protracted development and humanitarian landscape.
• Demonstrated track record of proposal writing and budget management.

• A Master’s Degree in Development, Social Work, Social Sciences, International Relations or similar field.
• 10 years of relevant experience in INGO Sector or demonstrated equivalent combination.
• At least 7 years’ experience in managing development programme in the country within the INGO sector.