Head of Programmes - Egypt

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 know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it is girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges girls and vulnerable children face. 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.

For over 85 years, we have rallied other determined optimists to transform the lives of all children in more than 80 countries.

We won’t stop until we are all equal.

Plan started working in Egypt in 1981 and has a presence in ten of the 27 governorates in which the country including Cairo, Alexandria, Giza, Beheira, Kalyoubia, Damietta, Qena, Assuit, Aswan, and Sohag. Plan international Egypt implements programmes designed to enable communities to improve the lives of the most marginalised children and their families. Plan Egypt’s Country Strategy focuses on five strategic objectives.

Through a five-interconnected, gender transformative and context-fit country objectives, PIE intends along with the various stakeholders at all levels to continue delivering positive and transformative changes so that “Children, especially girls, and young people grow up in an enabling environment, realizing their rights and contributing in both development and humanitarian settings as active agents of change”. Driven by the overall purpose of PII and anchored on Plan International core values, bolder commitment to gender transformation and feminist leadership, program quality and influencing and a more vibrant and efficient operating model.

The Opportunity

Are you a strategic leader passionate about driving impactful, gender-transformative programmes that advance children’s rights and equality for girls? Working with the Country Director, the Head of Programme will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering Plan International Egypt’s programme strategy. In this senior leadership position you will oversee all programmatic functions, including technical expertise, youth engagement, monitoring and evaluation, partnerships, sponsorship, and business development.

You will ensure the effective implementation of high-quality projects aligned with Plan International Egypt’s Country Strategy. Leading a team, foster operational excellence, and champion safeguarding standards across all programme activities.

About you

You will have experience in leading complex development programmes, including in humanitarian or disaster response settings. You’ll be confident managing large budgets, writing proposals, and working with a wide range of partners, from community-based organisations to international donors.A Master’s degree in a relevant field like Social Work, International Development, or a similar area, or related experience.

Effective leadership is key—you’ll have a track record of managing and mentoring diverse teams, resolving conflict, and driving collaboration. You’ll also bring deep knowledge of development and humanitarian issues, particularly in complex or protracted contexts, and be comfortable navigating funding landscapes and market dynamics.

Excellent communication skills are essential, especially when it comes to influencing and building consensus. Fluency in Arabic is highly desirable, and a solid understanding of the Middle Eastern context will be a strong advantage.

Please click here for the full role profile - Head of Programmes - Egypt.docx

Please respond to the requirements of the role in your cover letter.

Only CVs and cover letters in English will be accepted.

Location: Cairo, Egypt. This position is open to both national and international candidates. Candidates must be based in Egypt - therefore a competitive salary and relocation package will be available if required.

Type of Role: 12 Month Fixed term contract, with the possibilty of extension

Reports to: Country Director

Grade: Level 18/F

Closing Date: Friday 15th August 2025 (Midnight UK time)

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International 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 foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

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. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.