About Plan International Ireland
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Working together with children, young people, our supporters, and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. 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. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years and are now active in more than 80 countries. Established in 2003, Plan International Ireland influences and supports Plan International’s work worldwide. Plan International Ireland has been certified as one of Ireland’s Best Workplaces each year since 2020.
Purpose of role
The Desk Officer plays a key role in the Programmes Implementation Team, managing institutional grants (EU ECHO/INTPA/ECW/UN agencies) and funding for humanitarian, protracted crises, and development projects. Reporting to the Team Lead of the Institutional and Multilateral Donor Unit, you will act as the primary link between Plan International Ireland and Country Offices.
You will collaborate with technical experts to enhance grant design and management, support business development in securing new funding, and work with the fundraising and communications team to showcase Plan International Ireland’s impact in designated country offices and within Ireland. As part of the Emergency Roster, you may be deployed at short notice for emergency responses.
Key Duties and Activities
Grants PortfolioManagement
- Oversee grant management, compliance, and financial management for humanitarian, protracted crisis, and development grants (DG ECHO, INTPA, ECW, UN agencies).
- Coordinate closely with Country and National Offices to ensure high-quality programme delivery.
- Maintain strong donor engagement and identify new funding opportunities to support a robust grants pipeline.
- Share knowledge and best practices internally and across Country Offices to enhance programme effectiveness.
- Serve as a focal point for a specific thematic area, donor, or project management expertise.
- Conduct ongoing context analysis of priority countries and the donor landscape (DG ECHO, INTPA, ECW, UN agencies).
- Support efforts to profile Plan International Ireland’s work within the organization and in Ireland.
- Oversee grant budgets to ensure accurate expenditure and reporting.
Country Office Support
- Assist Country Offices in developing, implementing, and reviewing Country Strategic Plans (CSPs).
- Coordinate with National Offices and donors (DG ECHO, INTPA, ECW, UN agencies) to enhance collaboration and funding opportunities.
- Support staff training, mentoring, and capacity-building initiatives.
- Provide ongoing technical and compliance support, including start-up workshops, reporting, and M&E processes.
- Monitoring visits to assess progress, outcomes, and adherence to donor standards
- Guide Country Offices and partners on programme and budget management
- Identify and promote innovative and scalable programme approaches
Resource mobilisation
- Contribute to the development and implementation of funding strategies for designated Country Offices.
- Support in the development of high-quality proposals related to designated Country Offices where required in cooperation with the Business Development Unit.
- Support Country Offices to identify income streams locally and support on the design of new proposals.
Other
- Travel to Plan Country Offices for up to three months per year
- Travel to disaster affected areas as required at short notice for possible sustained periods to support Plan’s field teams to respond to emergencies.
- Collaboration with Plan Ireland communications, fundraising, programme funding, and technical teams as needed.
- Actively contribute to Plan International Ireland’s Programme Implementation Team by leveraging your expertise to implement our strategy and enhance programme quality.
Competencies Required
Essential
Professional
- At least four years of hands-on experience in humanitarian or development settings abroad is essential for this role.
- Competency in managing a diverse donor portfolio with a strong grasp of donor compliance and financial management.
- Expertise in programme cycle management, Results-Based Management, and the Rights-Based Approach, including the application of CHS and other humanitarian standards (e.g. SPHERE)
- Proven ability to plan effectively and meet objectives, especially in adhering to grant management deadlines.
- A proactive mindset with a talent for developing and implementing innovative ideas
- Solid understanding of gender-responsive programming and sensitivity to the gendered impacts of emergencies
- Willingness and ability to travel to remote and emergency contexts on short notice
Communication and Networking Skills
- Fluency in English & French – both written and spoken – are mandatory for this role
- ability to tailor messages for diverse audiences
- Strong capability to engage internal and external stakeholders to advance our child rights agenda and highlight Plan International Ireland’s work.
Desirable
- Experience with EU humanitarian and development funding instruments (DG ECHO & INTPA)
- Experience working in education and youth programming
- Experience working in climate change programming
- Experience of working in West and Central Africa
Salary and benefits
- Work for a certified “Great Place to Work” organisation
- This role is graded as a Level 3 within our salary scale, with an expected range between€41,000 – €46.000 EUR per annum. Placement on the scale will be dependent on level of experience and fit within the role.
- In addition to salary, Plan International Ireland provides several employee benefits, some of which include:
– Private Health Insurance for all employees (from commencement date)
– Comprehensive health and pension package
– Matching company pension contributions up to 5% (once probation is complete)
– Flexible working hours (core hours of 10am to 4pm daily, minimum of 37 hours per week)
– As an employee you will be able to sign up to the Bike-to-Work scheme, or the TaxSaver scheme for DART, LUAS, and Dublin bus users
- Hybrid working option on completion of probation
- Learning and career development, including technical skills, management, and professional development
Location & work permit
The Programme Team Lead role will be based in Dublin. Applicants must have a valid work permit at the time of applying to enable them to work in Ireland.
Salary
€41,000 – €46,000 depending on experience
How to apply
To apply for the role, please submit your CV and cover letter by Sunday, 30th March 2025 COB via our career site: Careers at Plan International Ireland
Plan regrets that only short-listed candidates will be contacted in response to applications.