Application Guide

How to Apply for Head of Global Media and Public Relations

at Plan International

🏢 About Plan International

Plan International is a unique organization combining over 85 years of grassroots experience with a global footprint in over 80 countries, focusing on children's rights and gender equality. Working here means contributing to high-impact advocacy and humanitarian responses that directly affect millions of girls and young people worldwide.

About This Role

As Head of Global Media and Public Relations, you will lead the organization's media strategy to amplify its voice on girls' rights and humanitarian crises, manage reputational risks in complex environments, and coordinate rapid media engagement during emergencies. This role is pivotal in shaping public perception and driving fundraising through strategic storytelling.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a crisis call about a new emergency in East Africa, requiring immediate coordination with the regional media team and drafting a press statement. Later, you could advise the CEO on an interview about girls' education in Afghanistan, followed by a strategy meeting to plan a global campaign for International Day of the Girl.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Plan International Is Looking For

  • A seasoned media relations leader with at least 10 years of experience securing coverage in top-tier international media (e.g., BBC, Reuters, The Guardian) on development or humanitarian issues.
  • Proven track record in crisis communications, including field deployment to emergency zones (e.g., conflict or disaster areas) and managing high-stakes issues under tight deadlines.
  • Strategic thinker who can design integrated global communications plans aligned with fundraising and advocacy goals, with experience in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
  • Strong advisory skills to coach senior executives (e.g., CEO, regional directors) on sensitive media interactions and reputation management in diverse cultural contexts.

📝 Tips for Applying to Plan International

1

Highlight specific examples of global media campaigns you led that resulted in measurable coverage increases or fundraising impact, especially related to girls' rights or humanitarian crises.

2

Demonstrate your crisis communications experience by detailing a specific emergency where you managed media relations, including field deployment and coordination with local teams.

3

Tailor your CV to show experience working across multiple regions, particularly Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and mention any language skills (e.g., French, Spanish, Arabic).

4

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your personal passion for children's rights and gender equality to Plan International's mission, referencing recent campaigns like 'Girls Get Equal'.

5

Prepare a portfolio of your best media placements and crisis communications work, and be ready to discuss how you measured success (e.g., share of voice, sentiment analysis).

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Emphasize your alignment with Plan International's values: feminist principles, child-centered approach, and commitment to local ownership.", 'Showcase your ability to balance proactive media engagement with reactive crisis management, using examples from complex humanitarian settings.', 'Highlight your experience advising senior leaders and building trust with global teams, especially in decentralized organizations.', "Demonstrate understanding of the unique challenges in communicating about girls' rights in conservative or high-risk contexts."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Plan International's latest global strategy (e.g., '100 Million Reasons' or 'Girls Get Equal' campaign) to understand current priorities.
  • → Read recent press releases and news coverage about Plan International's humanitarian responses (e.g., in Ukraine, Gaza, or Sahel).
  • → Study the organization's safeguarding policies and ethical storytelling guidelines, available on their website.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the structure of the Global Media and Communications team and key regional offices.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through a time you managed a major media crisis in a high-risk country. What was your role and how did you coordinate across teams?
2 How would you adapt Plan International's global media strategy for a specific region like West Africa or South Asia?
3 Describe a successful media campaign that drove fundraising for an emergency appeal. What metrics did you use?
4 How do you ensure media engagement aligns with child safeguarding policies and ethical storytelling?
5 How would you handle a situation where a senior leader's statement creates reputational risk in a sensitive context?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid generic statements about 'passion for development' without linking to specific Plan International initiatives or values.
  • Don't overlook the importance of field experience; even if not deployed, show willingness and understanding of field realities.
  • Avoid being too theoretical; this role demands hands-on crisis management and media relations, so focus on concrete examples.

📅 Application Timeline

⏰ Deadline: July 12, 2026

We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Plan International!

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