Head of Mission

Job Posting Organization:
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that has been dedicated to advancing children's rights and equality for girls for over 85 years. Established with the mission to empower every child, particularly girls who are often the most affected by poverty, violence, exclusion, and discrimination, Plan International operates in more than 80 countries worldwide. The organization collaborates with children, young people, supporters, and partners to tackle the root causes of the challenges faced by vulnerable children. Their work spans from supporting children's rights from birth to adulthood, enabling children to prepare for and respond to crises, and driving changes in practice and policy at various levels. With a commitment to equality, Plan International strives to create a just world for all children, ensuring that no child is left behind.

Job Overview:
The Head of Mission at Plan International will play a crucial role in leading the organization's response to the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. This position is pivotal in providing strategic, organizational, and external leadership for the country’s operations. The postholder will be responsible for ensuring the quality, relevance, sustainability, and integrity of the country portfolio. The role involves guiding the transition from an emergency response to a sustainable, compliant, and locally anchored presence in Venezuela. The Head of Mission will oversee a partner-led humanitarian response, focusing on technical and operational support, quality assurance, partner capacity strengthening, and compliance. The position requires a strong emphasis on safeguarding, coordination, resource mobilization, and donor reporting, with the ultimate goal of delivering lasting impact for children and adolescents, particularly girls, in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Head of Mission will have a wide range of responsibilities, including but not limited to: serving as the senior organizational representative for Plan International in Venezuela, responsible for institutional positioning and credibility; leading the development and execution of the Venezuela country strategy and humanitarian response; overseeing a phased multi-sector portfolio delivered through local and national partners; managing a diverse country structure that includes programs, humanitarian response, operations, finance, and communications; ensuring compliance with organizational risk, legal, and regulatory requirements; and maintaining strong relationships with authorities, UN agencies, donors, and civil society. The role also involves accountability for financial stewardship, safeguarding, and the duty of care for staff and consultants.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess substantial senior leadership experience in an international humanitarian, development, or rights-based organization, with a proven track record in managing a country program or major response. Essential qualifications include a strong understanding of child-centered humanitarian programming, protection, gender equality, and inclusion. Experience in establishing or transforming country operations, legal arrangements, and complex operating models is crucial. Candidates should also demonstrate strong financial and business management capabilities, including budgeting, grants management, and risk management. Proven resource mobilization and external representation experience with institutional donors and other stakeholders is required, along with the ability to lead and develop diverse teams in high-pressure environments.

Educational Background:
A relevant educational background is essential for this position, typically requiring a degree in international development, humanitarian studies, social sciences, or a related field. Advanced degrees or specialized training in humanitarian response, child protection, or gender studies may be advantageous and are often preferred by organizations like Plan International.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in senior leadership roles, particularly as a director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director, Head of Mission, or Response Director. Experience in leading humanitarian response and recovery programming in fragile or politically sensitive contexts is critical. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to navigate complex environments and manage diverse teams effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in both Spanish and English is mandatory for this position, as excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential for negotiation and influencing stakeholders. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse communities and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is offered as an initial six-month unaccompanied contract, with the possibility of extension based on performance and organizational needs. The role is primarily based in Caracas, with extensive travel required to program areas and partner offices, including locations with challenging infrastructure and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security risks. Plan International is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring that their workforce reflects the communities they serve. The organization emphasizes a culture of inclusivity and has specific safeguarding policies in place to protect children and young people. Pre-employment checks will be conducted in accordance with these policies, and candidates should be aware that Plan International will never request payment during the recruitment process.