Country Director

Job Posting Organization:
Plan International is a rights-based development and humanitarian organisation dedicated to improving the lives of children globally. Established over 80 years ago, the organization operates in more than 70 countries, focusing on advancing children's rights and promoting gender equality, particularly for girls who are often marginalized. Plan International aims to reach 100 million girls over the next five years, ensuring they can learn, lead, decide, and thrive, contributing to the sustainable development goals, especially those related to gender equality. The organization is committed to transforming its operations to meet the challenges of its mission, seeking innovative leaders to drive change and deliver impactful results.

Job Overview:
The director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director for Cambodia will play a crucial leadership role in setting the strategic direction for Plan International's operations in the country. This position involves overseeing a team of approximately 80 staff and managing a country program with an annual budget of around USD 8 million. The Country Director will represent Plan International at high levels with various stakeholders, including government officials, donors, civil society, and media, ensuring that the organization delivers impactful, gender-transformative programs for vulnerable children, particularly girls. The role requires a leader adept at driving transformative change, fostering an inclusive organizational culture, and maintaining accountability while ensuring that Plan International Cambodia remains a credible and effective actor in development and humanitarian efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Country Director will be responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership for Plan International’s development, humanitarian, and advocacy work in Cambodia. Key responsibilities include: developing and implementing a comprehensive Country Strategy focused on gender transformation and child rights; ensuring that program and advocacy efforts achieve significant impact by connecting grassroots initiatives with national-level influencing; enhancing emergency preparedness and resilience-building efforts; strengthening resource mobilization from various funding sources to ensure sustainability; leading and developing a high-performing, inclusive team that adheres to Plan International’s safeguarding and ethical standards; ensuring compliance with financial and legal requirements; and acting as the senior representative of Plan International in Cambodia, fostering relationships with government, donors, and other stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess proven senior leadership experience in an international development context, with a strong understanding of child rights, gender in development, and girls’ rights. They should be able to translate these commitments into effective programs and advocacy strategies. Experience in sustainable community development and participatory approaches is essential, along with knowledge of donor compliance and financial management. Familiarity with programming in challenging environments, particularly in Cambodia or similar contexts, is required. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to lead diverse teams, manage organizational change, and possess strong political acumen and negotiation skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Khmer are necessary, along with strong diplomatic capabilities.

Educational Background:
A relevant university degree in development, social science, business administration, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background will provide the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of international development and the specific challenges faced in Cambodia.

Experience:
Candidates should have significant experience in senior leadership roles within international development organizations, demonstrating increasing responsibility over time. Experience in managing large teams and budgets, as well as a track record of successful program implementation and advocacy, is essential. Familiarity with the political, social, and economic landscape of Cambodia or similar environments will be highly beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Khmer is mandatory for this position, as effective communication with local stakeholders and international partners is crucial. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and will adhere to local terms and conditions of employment. The closing date for applications is 13 April 2026, and early applications are encouraged as the organization may review applications on a rolling basis. Plan International is committed to safeguarding children and young people and will conduct pre-employment checks in accordance with its policies. The organization promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion, striving to create a workplace that reflects these values and ensures that all employees are treated fairly and without discrimination.