Application Guide

How to Apply for Regional Head of Programs, Impact and Influencing

at Plan International

🏢 About Plan International

Plan International is a leading independent development and humanitarian organization dedicated to advancing children's rights and gender equality, with a strong focus on girls' empowerment. Operating in over 70 countries, they are known for their feminist leadership principles and commitment to locally-led, sustainable change. Working here offers the chance to drive impactful programs that directly address systemic inequalities in the Asia-Pacific region.

About This Role

This role provides strategic oversight of program quality, impact measurement, and influencing across the APAC region, ensuring alignment with Plan International's Global Strategy. You will lead a team to design and deliver evidence-based, gender-transformative programs and drive advocacy efforts to scale impact. It's a high-level position that shapes the direction of regional programming and influences policy change for children and girls.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing program quality reports from country offices, leading a virtual meeting with regional MERL advisors to refine impact indicators, and preparing briefing notes for the Regional Director on advocacy opportunities. You could also be engaging with a partner organization on a joint influencing campaign or conducting a remote check-in with a Country Director on program implementation challenges.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Plan International Is Looking For

  • A seasoned leader with 10+ years in development/humanitarian work, including 4+ years in senior leadership, ideally with experience in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Deep expertise in program quality, MERL, and impact measurement, with a track record of using data to drive strategic decisions and program improvement.
  • Strong understanding of gender equality, rights-based approaches, and child safeguarding, with the ability to integrate these into all programmatic and influencing work.
  • Proven ability to lead and inspire diverse, remote teams, and to build effective partnerships with governments, civil society, and donors across the region.

📝 Tips for Applying to Plan International

1

Tailor your CV to highlight specific examples of leading regional programs in APAC, emphasizing results in gender-transformative programming and impact measurement.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience to Plan International's Global Strategy and their focus on girls' rights and feminist leadership.

3

Quantify your achievements in program quality and MERL, such as improved evaluation scores or successful scaling of evidence-based interventions.

4

Demonstrate your understanding of the APAC context by referencing specific challenges or opportunities in the region relevant to children's rights and gender equality.

5

Showcase your experience with influencing and advocacy, including concrete examples of policy changes or successful campaigns you've led.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your alignment with Plan International's mission and values, especially their commitment to gender equality and child rights.", 'Your leadership experience in the APAC region, with specific examples of navigating cultural and political complexities.', 'Your expertise in MERL and using evidence to drive program quality and advocacy, with measurable outcomes.', 'Your ability to lead diverse, remote teams and foster collaboration across multiple countries and functions.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Plan International's Global Strategy (2024-2027) and their regional priorities for the Asia-Pacific.
  • → Read their latest reports on gender equality and child rights in the APAC region to understand current challenges and initiatives.
  • → Familiarize yourself with their feminist leadership principles and how they are operationalized across the organization.
  • → Look into their key partnerships and donors in the region, such as DFAT, USAID, or UN agencies.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you ensure gender-transformative programming is integrated across all regional initiatives?
2 Describe a time you used data and evidence to influence a policy or program decision at a regional level.
3 How do you balance the demands of program delivery with the need for robust monitoring and evaluation?
4 Plan International emphasizes feminist leadership – how would you apply these principles in your role?
5 Walk us through a complex regional program you led, including how you managed stakeholders, risks, and impact.
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic application – tailor every part to Plan International's focus on girls' rights and gender equality.
  • Avoid downplaying the importance of MERL; this role is heavily centered on evidence and impact measurement.
  • Don't ignore the regional context – failing to demonstrate specific knowledge of the APAC region will weaken your application.

📅 Application Timeline

⏰ Deadline: July 10, 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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