At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead humanitarian responses and mobilise resources for impactful emergency actions.
- Company: Plan International, a global charity dedicated to advancing equality for girls.
- Benefits: Join a mission-driven team with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on collaboration and innovation in challenging environments.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of girls and communities facing crises.
- Qualifications: Experience in humanitarian leadership and strong relationship-building skills required.
The predicted salary is between 78750 - 96250 £ per year.
Plan International is a global charity advancing equality for girls and a just world for all. Because here’s the truth: around the world, girls still face more risks and fewer choices – and their hard‑won freedoms are increasingly under threat. But girls aren’t backing down and neither are we. Together the plan is still on, until every girl is safe, in school, and can choose their own future. Until we are all equal.
The Humanitarian Strategic Lead plays a pivotal role in mobilising Plan International UK's response to emerging and escalating humanitarian crises. Working across teams and directorates, you will drive organisational engagement that raises both funds and awareness, ensuring timely, coordinated, and impactful emergency responses. You will lead resource mobilisation efforts for new humanitarian responses, with a particular focus on securing and managing funding through Start Network, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), and Plan International's internal emergency funding mechanisms.
Acting as a key liaison with Plan International country and regional offices, you will foster strong partnerships and ensure effective collaboration across the global organisation. You will manage and develop a high-performing team of Emergency Response Managers, providing strategic direction, coaching, and support. You will also champion strong coordination across the wider International Programmes Directorate, ensuring humanitarian priorities are effectively integrated and delivered.
To be successful in this role, you will bring substantial experience of leading humanitarian responses in complex environments, including significant field-based experience in a management capacity. You will have operated at a senior level within an international organisation and possess a strong understanding of both UK and international donor funding landscapes. You will be a confident relationship builder with a proven ability to negotiate partnerships, funding agreements, and programme arrangements that deliver results for people affected by crisis.
Combining strategic thinking with operational expertise, you will be committed to strengthening humanitarian impact through collaboration, innovation, and effective resource mobilisation.
Please note that this is a UK based role and we are unable to offer international contracts. We are unable to provide sponsorship for this role. The deadline for applications is 23:59 on 23 September 2026. Interviews will take place between 7 to 9 October 2026.
We are committed to the safeguarding and protection of children, young people and adults in our work. We, therefore, apply rigorous recruitment and selection processes to ensure that only those who are suitable are recruited to work for us. Accordingly, appointment to all our roles is subject to a range of vetting checks and for this role this will include a Basic Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check. A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working for us; this will depend on the circumstances of any offences.
Plan International UK is committed to being an inclusive employer and we welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.
Humanitarian Strategic Lead in London employer: Plan International UK
Plan International UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration and innovation in advancing gender equality. Employees benefit from professional growth opportunities, a supportive environment, and the chance to make a meaningful impact through high-value donor relationships. Located in a vibrant city, the organisation fosters a sense of community and purpose, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals seeking rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Humanitarian Strategic Lead in London
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Plan International UK.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Plan International UK.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Plan International UK.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Plan International UK. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Humanitarian Strategic Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Plan International UK. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Humanitarian Strategic Lead, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Plan International UK
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Plan International UK. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
