Consortium Team Leader, ASEANUK SAGE Phase 2 in Woking

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. With operations in more than 80 countries, Plan International tackles the root causes of poverty and gender inequality. Our vision is a just world that promotes children’s rights and equality for girls, where every child can learn, lead, decide, and thrive. We prioritise inclusive, safe, and high-quality learning, focusing on girls and marginalised learners, and drive evidence-informed education policy across Southeast Asia.

Plan International is seeking a passionate and experienced professional to serve as Consortium Team Leader for the ASEANUK SAGE Phase 2 Programme. This is an exciting leadership role in a UK government-funded initiative aimed at improving education outcomes, tackling gender barriers, and shaping evidence-based policy across ASEAN. You will provide strategic leadership, management oversight, and partner coordination to ensure the successful delivery of Phase 2, championing adaptive, inclusive implementation and impactful learning outcomes.

In this pivotal role, you will, among other things:

• Define and drive the program vision and strategy, ensuring alignment with FCDO priorities, ASEAN education agendas, and Plan International values.
• Lead multi-country implementation through robust work planning, risk management, and inclusive team leadership, embedding safeguarding and compliance throughout.
• Oversee MEAL systems to promote research uptake and translate evidence into policy and classroom practice, while capturing and sharing lessons learned.
• Serve as the primary liaison with FCDO, ASEAN bodies, Ministries of Education, and partners to ensure coherence, synergy, and equitable access for women.
• Manage a £6M budget with full accountability for financial compliance, audit readiness, and value for money.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a lasting impact on sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

To excel in this role, you will need among other things:

• 8–10 years of experience managing large-scale, multi-country education programs, ideally within Southeast Asia / ASEAN contexts, with expertise in girls’ education, gender equity, and inclusive systems.
• Demonstrated ability to engage government ministries, regional bodies (ASEAN / SEAMEO), civil society, and donors to shape policy and practice.
• Preferably prior FCDO contract experience.
• Strong skills in budgeting, forecasting, and donor compliance (preferably FCDO), coupled with experience in consortium management and adaptive learning approaches.
• Track record in research, MEAL, and evidence-based decision-making.
• Familiarity with ASEAN education frameworks, EdTech, STEM initiatives, and digital skills.

Location: Thailand, Laos, or Timor-Leste

Length of Role: Fixed-term appointment from April 2026 to March 2029

Reports To: SAGE Phase 2 Programme Steering Committee (day-to-day oversight by Director of Sub-region)

Closing date: 10 January 2026

Early applications are encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early. This role is contingent on a successful bid.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. As an international child-centred community development organisation, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realisation of children's rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with. Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for. Our organisation is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas. We will provide equality of opportunity and will not tolerate discrimination on any grounds. We foster an organisational culture that embraces and exemplifies our commitment to gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion while supporting staff to adopt good practice, positive attitudes and principles of gender equality and inclusion.