Country Director – Thailand At Plan International

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And its girls who are most affected.

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. And 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 80 years and are now active in more than 70 countries.

The Opportunity

This is an exciting time for Plan International Thailand as we recruit our first Thai National Country director, while we also implement our global strategy for 2021-2024. Our global strategy defines who we are, why we exist, the change we want to see in the world and how we will contribute to making change happen. It underpins everything we do, guiding all our work in all parts of the federation.

To achieve greater change in children’s lives we are dramatically transforming how we operate, and we need bold, forward-thinking and innovative individuals to steer our country operations, driving change and delivering results that will allow us to transform the lives of 100 million girls globally.

Plan International Thailand commenced operations in 1981, helping vulnerable children, young people and their families to break the cycle of poverty.

Plan International Thailand commenced a transformation plan in 2022, encompassing three main areas – phase-out of sponsorship in Thailand, the exploration of a local entity, and the development of a Mekong cross-border programming and influencing hub, with a research capacity.

The transformation considers the following dimensions:

• Strengthen the capacity on programming, influencing and research on cross border issues in the Mekong region with Thailand as a net-receiving nation.
• Increase Plan’s relevance and distinctiveness to decision makers, institutions and the public as a leader in championing girls’ and young women’s rights;
• determine the delivery model, structure, staffing and support systems to suit the needs of a transformed entity.

A transition Strategy has been developed to guide operations over the coming years. The strategy works in four programmatic areas that have been identified as critical needs by the children and youth (CAY), and especially girls, among Thailand’s most vulnerable populations of migrant and stateless families as well as marginalized CAYs:

• Development of potential and leadership of children and youth in leadership change;
• Protection of children from all forms of violence; s
• Skills and opportunities for youth employment and entrepreneurship;
• Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.

The Country Director is accountable for the management and leadership of a team of approximately 50 staff with a Country Management Team of 6 members.

Do you have what it takes?

As a Country Director, you will drive Plan International’s programme and influencing work, setting overall direction, leading a high performing team, ensuring accountability for meeting demanding targets and maintaining alignment with the global strategy.

You will be deeply comfortable with leading transformative change, have a demonstrable commitment to gender equality and relish the prospect of representing Plan International to the highest levels of government, civil society, the media and international media.

You will understand and drive efforts to deliver positive change for girls through advocating, campaigning and communicating at a national level. Equally, you will ensure the country-operating model is fit for purpose, we have the right funding mix to achieve our ambition, key business processes are in place and organisational values are embedded in everything we do.

You will lead by example in ensuring gender equality is evident in everything we do from staffing, to programing and influencing, to ways of working. You will work with your team to bring about the right culture that ensures we are champions for girls and gender equality.

You will be committed and passionate in ensuring that Plan Thailand is well established within the local context, ensuing its long-term viability in the country.

You will lead a motivated team, ensure legal compliance, and be ready and able to respond to emergency and development needs of the most marginalised children, especially girls

You have the motivation to be the first Thai National Country Director of Plan Thailand, as part of our increased efforts of localisation in Asia Pacific

For a detailed job description, please click on the below link:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mvyshyj4cyj9gi8/THA-Country%20Director%20JD%20December%202022.pdf?dl=0