The Opportunity
We are in search of a seasoned 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 provide assistance to Country Offices in developing and executing thorough, principled humanitarian needs assessments in real time, ensuring Plan International remains prepared to create impactful programs, secure funding, and address the needs of the most vulnerable children, with particular attention to girls.
The position requires extensive international travel and frequent deployments to humanitarian emergencies, frequently on short notice.
Oversee a range of critical duties encompassing strategic planning, operational execution, and team leadership to ensure organizational objectives are met. Develop and implement comprehensive policies, procedures, and workflows to enhance efficiency and compliance with industry standards. Manage cross-functional projects, fostering collaboration between departments to drive seamless integration and innovation. Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide constructive feedback, and mentor team members to cultivate a high-performing workforce. Monitor key performance indicators, analyze data trends, and present actionable insights to senior leadership to inform decision-making. Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and ethical guidelines while maintaining a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Represent the organization in external engagements, including client meetings, industry conferences, and stakeholder communications.
You will:
Design and refine accessible tools, guidelines, and methodologies to facilitate efficient and cross-sectoral needs assessments.
Ensure that gender, child protection, disability inclusion, and age considerations are integrated into all assessments, aligning with the standards set by the Sphere and Core Humanitarian Standard.
Assist Country Offices in producing assessment reports of the highest caliber, tailored to meet the expectations of donors, clusters, and peer agencies.
Conduct comprehensive needs assessments and facilitate training sessions aimed at enhancing organizational capabilities.
Collaborate effectively with the MERL and Digital teams to enhance the adoption of digital data collection tools and ensure seamless integration with monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
To provide on-site support to country offices for periods of up to four months, focusing on the design and execution of assessments.
Serve as Plan International’s representative in inter-agency coordination forums, notably within Age-related networks.
Support fundraising, advocacy, and influencing teams by transforming assessment data into engaging insights and strategic outputs.
Enhance coordination to meet donor specifications, particularly for ECHO submissions within HIP cycles.
Compile a comprehensive annual global analysis of humanitarian assessments and emerging trends.
Ensure the comprehensive integration of safeguarding, child protection, and gender equality policies into all operational practices and decision-making processes.
About You
You possess extensive experience as a humanitarian professional, excelling in dynamic and multifaceted settings. Your background combines specialized technical skills with a dedication to collaboration and organizational development.
Essential qualifications and competencies include a proven track record in [specific field or role], with a minimum of [X years] of relevant professional experience. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in [specific skills or tools], along with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Excellent communication and teamwork skills are required, as is the ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines. Familiarity with [specific industry standards or regulations] is advantageous, and a degree in [relevant field] is preferred. The ideal candidate will possess a blend of technical expertise and interpersonal skills to thrive in a dynamic work environment.
Seasoned professional with a proven track record in spearheading or facilitating humanitarian needs assessments amid varied emergency environments, encompassing sudden-onset crises.
Skilled in conducting gender analysis and seamlessly incorporating protection and inclusion principles into assessment processes.
Proven expertise in designing, developing, and delivering effective training programs is required.
Proven understanding of donor expectations alongside adherence to established humanitarian standards, including Sphere, CHS, CPMS, and KNEE frameworks.
Proven proficiency in leveraging digital platforms and software for gathering and evaluating data is required.
Demonstrates exceptional proficiency in analytical thinking, organizational coordination, and the preparation of comprehensive reports.
Capable of rapid deployment and operating effectively in demanding conditions, with readiness to respond promptly when required.
Desirable:
Skilled in assisting with the development of funding proposals and donor submissions.
Skilled in crafting compelling advocacy or influencing narratives based on insights derived from assessments.
We seek candidates with proven experience collaborating with external partners and organizations.
Proficiency in English is required; additional fluency in French, Spanish, or Arabic is considered advantageous.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND