The Opportunity
We seek an accomplished Humanitarian Needs Assessment Specialist to enhance the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of needs assessments throughout our humanitarian initiatives.
In this fast-paced position, you will collaborate with Country Offices to create and execute comprehensive, principled humanitarian needs assessments in real time—strengthening Plan International’s ability to develop impactful programs, secure essential funding, and address the urgent needs of the most vulnerable children, with a particular focus on girls.
The position requires extensive international travel and frequent deployments to humanitarian emergencies, frequently with little advance notice.
Oversee and execute all core duties associated with this role, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives while fostering efficiency and productivity. Develop and maintain robust processes to streamline workflows, monitor performance metrics, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Collaborate cross-functionally with stakeholders to identify opportunities for growth, resolve operational challenges, and implement strategic solutions that enhance overall business outcomes. Ensure strict adherence to company policies, industry regulations, and compliance standards through diligent oversight and proactive risk management.
You will:
Design user-friendly tools, guidance, and methodologies to facilitate rapid, multi-sectoral needs assessments effectively and sustainably.
Integrate gender, child protection, disability inclusion, and age considerations into all assessments, fully complying with Sphere and Core Humanitarian Standard guidelines.
Provide guidance to Country Offices to ensure the production of assessment reports of exceptional quality, tailored to meet the expectations of donors, clusters, and peer agencies.
Design and implement needs assessment training initiatives to strengthen organizational capabilities and enhance overall performance.
Collaborate effectively with the MERL and Digital teams to drive the adoption of digital data collection tools while ensuring seamless alignment with monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
Relocate temporarily to Country Offices, with assignments lasting up to four months, to provide hands-on assistance in the development and execution of assessments.
Plan International is expected to be represented in inter-agency coordination forums, specifically within Age-related networks.
Assist fundraising, advocacy, and influencing teams by converting assessment data into engaging insights and strategic outputs.
Enhance coordination with donor stipulations, particularly during ECHO submissions within HIP cycles.
Compile a comprehensive annual assessment of global humanitarian evaluations and identify emerging trends in the sector.
Ensure strict adherence to safeguarding, child protection, and gender equality policies across all operational activities.
About You
As a seasoned humanitarian specialist, you excel in dynamic, high-pressure settings and combine deep technical knowledge with a commitment to teamwork and capacity development.
Essential experience and skills include a proven track record in project management, with expertise in overseeing cross-functional teams and delivering projects within scope, budget, and timeline constraints. Proficiency in agile methodologies, risk assessment, and stakeholder communication is required, along with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Candidates must possess excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the capacity to adapt to evolving project demands. A minimum of five years of relevant experience in a leadership role is expected, along with a bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent professional certification.
Seasoned professionals with a robust background in spearheading or contributing to humanitarian needs assessments within a variety of emergency settings, particularly those marked by sudden-onset crises, are sought for this role.
Demonstrates advanced proficiency in conducting gender analysis and incorporating protection and inclusion principles into assessment processes.
Develops and delivers training programs with a proven track record of success. Brings expertise in instructional design and effective training methodologies to enhance team performance and knowledge retention. Demonstrates strong communication and presentation skills to engage diverse audiences and ensure understanding. Committed to continuous improvement through feedback and evaluation of training effectiveness.
Proficient in understanding donor expectations and adhering to established humanitarian standards, including Sphere, the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), the Child Protection Minimum Standards (CPMS), and the KNEE Minimum Standards.
Proven ability to leverage digital tools for efficient data collection and insightful analysis.
Proven expertise in analytical thinking, organizational coordination, and the preparation of comprehensive reports.
Capable of responding promptly to deployment requests and operating effectively under demanding conditions.
Desirable:
Have a track record of actively participating in the preparation of funding proposals or donor submissions.
Developing advocacy or influencing messaging grounded in assessment findings is essential.
Partners with external organizations to foster collaborative initiatives and achieve shared objectives.
Proficiency in English is essential; additional fluency in French, Spanish, or Arabic is highly advantageous.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
