Project Lead – Women, Peace and Security | Plan International

Organization: Plan International
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Employment Type: Full-time
Contract: Fixed-term, with possible extension depending on performance and funding
Application Deadline: October 1, 2026
Reports To: Head of Development Program and Partnership
Matrix Reporting: Thematic Lead – Child Protection and GBV in Emergencies

About Plan International

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization working to advance children's rights and equality for girls. The organization works with children, young people, communities, partners and supporters to address poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination.

With decades of experience across countries around the world, Plan International supports communities to respond to crises, strengthen children's rights and promote gender equality. Its work includes humanitarian response, development programming, advocacy, protection and initiatives focused on girls and young women.

About the Role

Plan International is looking for a Project Lead – Women, Peace and Security to coordinate and support the implementation of its Women, Peace and Security programming in Ethiopia.

The successful candidate will serve as a key programme coordination focal point and will work with government institutions, civil society organizations, women-led organizations, youth groups, peacebuilding actors, donors and other strategic stakeholders.

The role will focus on strengthening the participation and leadership of women and young women in peacebuilding and governance processes while ensuring that programme activities incorporate gender-transformative, conflict-sensitive, inclusive and safeguarding approaches.

The Project Lead will also oversee project planning, budgeting, partnership management, grant-making, reporting, risk management and learning activities.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management

• Lead programme planning, annual work planning, budgeting and financial forecasting.
• Coordinate project implementation and monitor progress against agreed outcomes, outputs and performance indicators.
• Adapt programme implementation when political, security, humanitarian or operational circumstances change.
• Ensure Ethiopia-level activities remain aligned with regional programme objectives.
• Provide leadership and coordination to project staff and implementing partners.
• Consolidate programme information and ensure timely, high-quality donor and programme reporting.
• Monitor project and partner budgets, expenditure, forecasting and financial performance.
• Work with relevant teams to support timely fund disbursement and financial accountability.
• Integrate gender equality, disability inclusion, safeguarding and conflict-sensitive approaches into programme activities.
• Identify and monitor programme risks and coordinate appropriate mitigation measures.
• Lead programme reviews, reflection sessions, learning events and adaptive-management processes.
• Document evidence, good practices, success stories, case studies and lessons learned.

Partnership and Grant Management

• Coordinate the full grant-making process, including calls for proposals, proposal assessments and due diligence.
• Support the selection of appropriate grantees and negotiate budgets and grant agreements.
• Ensure grants comply with donor and organizational requirements.
• Develop strong, transparent and trust-based relationships with women-led organizations.
• Promote meaningful participation and joint decision-making with partners.
• Coordinate partner organizational and capacity assessments.
• Support partners to develop organizational strengthening and development plans.
• Conduct regular partner performance reviews.
• Facilitate joint planning and review meetings with implementing partners.
• Support women-led organizations in strengthening governance, safeguarding, financial management and organizational sustainability.
• Work with Finance teams to ensure grant management and reporting processes respond effectively to partner needs.
• Provide technical support related to advocacy, peacebuilding, gender-transformative programming and survivor-centered approaches.
• Support training, mentoring, coaching, peer-learning and Training of Trainers activities.
• Contribute to the work of governance structures, steering committees and technical working groups.

Stakeholder Engagement and Representation

• Build and maintain relationships with government ministries, regional authorities, women's affairs institutions and peacebuilding platforms.
• Represent the programme in relevant national and regional coordination forums.
• Participate in technical working groups and policy dialogue platforms.
• Strengthen collaboration with organizations and platforms including IGAD, African Union institutions, UN agencies, development partners and civil society networks where appropriate.
• Contribute to Women, Peace and Security policy discussions and implementation processes.
• Support evidence-based advocacy initiatives related to Women, Peace and Security.
• Strengthen advocacy and coalition-building through strategic partnerships.
• Facilitate the sharing of programme lessons, innovations and evidence among partners.
• Contribute to regional planning, reporting and donor engagement.

Safeguarding, Gender Equality and Inclusion

The Project Lead will be expected to uphold Plan International's safeguarding and Gender Equality and Inclusion policies.

Key responsibilities include:

• Ensuring safeguarding responsibilities are understood and applied throughout programme implementation.
• Reporting and managing safeguarding concerns through appropriate procedures.
• Supporting staff and partner organizations to understand safeguarding responsibilities.
• Ensuring relevant global safeguarding and inclusion standards are integrated into daily programme operations.
• Supporting Plan International's wider safeguarding and Gender Equality and Inclusion commitments.
• Ensuring relevant safeguarding and programme information is properly documented and reported.

Required Qualifications

Applicants should have:

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, International Development, Political Science, Gender Studies, Project Management or another relevant discipline.
• At least 7 years of progressive professional experience in programme management.
• Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder and/or multi-regional programmes.
• Experience coordinating or working closely with women-led organizations.
• Strong partnership-management experience involving government, civil society organizations and donors.
• Demonstrated experience in grant management, including partner selection, due diligence, capacity strengthening, budgeting, monitoring and performance management.
• Experience working on gender-based violence, protection, survivor-centered approaches or gender-transformative programming.
• Experience leading cross-functional or remote teams.
• Strong knowledge of peace and security issues affecting women and girls, particularly in conflict and fragile settings.
• Experience facilitating stakeholder sessions and delivering Training of Trainers programmes.
• Experience managing institutional donor-funded projects and understanding donor compliance requirements.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong programme and project management skills.
• Excellent coordination and stakeholder-management abilities.
• Strong facilitation and negotiation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Strong partnership-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Experience working in multicultural environments.
• Strong understanding of gender equality and women's participation in peacebuilding.
• Strong reporting and documentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively with government, donors, NGOs and grassroots organizations.
• Fluency in English.
• Fluency in Amharic is expected, while knowledge of other Ethiopian local languages is desirable.

Why Work With Plan International?

Working with Plan International provides an opportunity to contribute to programmes focused on children's rights, gender equality, women's participation, inclusion and community development.

The Project Lead will work across a broad network of government institutions, civil society organizations, women-led organizations, development partners and international stakeholders.

The position offers an opportunity for an experienced programme professional to contribute to Women, Peace and Security initiatives and strengthen the capacity and participation of local partners.

Application Tips

Before applying, candidates should make sure their CV clearly demonstrates:

1. At least seven years of relevant programme-management experience.
2. Experience managing complex programmes and multiple stakeholders.
3. Grant-management and partner-management experience.
4. Experience working with women-led or grassroots organizations.
5. Relevant Women, Peace and Security, GBV, protection or gender-transformative programming experience.
6. Experience with donor-funded programmes and compliance requirements.
7. Leadership and team-management experience.
8. Strong English communication and reporting skills.

Applicants should use specific examples in their CV rather than simply listing responsibilities. Where possible, demonstrate the scale of projects managed, budgets handled, partners coordinated and measurable results achieved.

Salary and Benefits

The original vacancy information does not state a specific salary amount.

Candidates should refer to Plan International's official recruitment information for the applicable employment conditions, benefits and compensation details.

Contract Information

Position: Project Lead – Women, Peace and Security
Contract: Fixed-term
Extension: Possible, subject to performance and funding availability
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should apply through the official Plan International careers portal:

Apply Here

Applicants should submit their application before the stated deadline of October 1, 2026.

Plan International states that it will conduct relevant pre-employment safeguarding checks as part of its recruitment process. The organization also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.

Important: Plan International will not request payment from candidates as part of the recruitment process. Be cautious of anyone requesting money in exchange for a job or recruitment opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline for the Project Lead position?

The application deadline is October 1, 2026.

Where is the position based?

The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Is this a full-time position?

Yes. The position is advertised as a full-time role.

What educational background is required?

Candidates should have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, International Development, Political Science, Gender Studies, Project Management or a related field.

How much professional experience is required?

The vacancy requires a minimum of seven years of progressive professional experience in programme management.

Is experience with women-led organizations required?

The position requires demonstrated experience leading complex programmes, including coordination with women-led organizations, as well as strong partnership-management experience.

Is English required?

Yes. Fluency in English is listed as an essential requirement. Amharic is also required, while knowledge of other local Ethiopian languages is desirable.

Does the vacancy specify a salary?

No specific salary amount is provided in the vacancy information.

Is this a permanent position?

No. The role is advertised as a fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension depending on performance and available funding.

Where can candidates apply?

Candidates should apply through Plan International's official careers portal using the application process provided for the vacancy.

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