Humanitarian Diplomacy and Advocacy Advisor

The Opportunity

Plan International has committed in our global strategy with increased humanitarian ambition to scaling up humanitarian action. At the heart of humanitarian action lies a simple yet powerful purpose: saving lives and alleviating human suffering. This is guided by the four humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, that encourages humanity to provide vital humanitarian assistance to those in urgent need, no matter who they are or where they are. Humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy has a critical role to play to ensure children are protected and supported before, during and after conflicts, disasters and disease outbreaks, and therefore makes an important contribution to the implementation of Plan International’s Global Strategy.

The Humanitarian Diplomacy and Advocacy Advisor is responsible for driving our public and private facing humanitarian diplomacy, policy and advocacy efforts in and on Sudan,South Sudan and Somaliland. This role is critical in Plan’s ability to influence as a principled and capable humanitarian organization, strengthen our humanitarian profile, liaise with humanitarian peers, and mobilize support to better meet the needs of children and all crisis-affected populations in Sudan, South Sudan, and Somaliland.

This position will play a key role in the support to country and sub-regional level activities and will provide leadership, support and guidance on humanitarian diplomacy, policy, and advocacy, to Plan International teams and partners in Sudan, Somaliland and South Sudan, and possibly Plan responses in other countries. The Humanitarian Diplomacy & Advocacy Advisor will lead development and implementation of humanitarian policy, advocacy, and diplomacy positions related to the conflict within and around Sudan as well as humanitarian crises in South Sudan and Somaliland. The staff member will lead coordination on humanitarian diplomacy, policy and advocacy work across the organization related to the Sudan crisis and crises in South Sudan and Somaliland. In addition, they will identify and ensure strong representation with external fora. The position will be based in either South Sudan or Hargeisa, Somaliland, with frequent visits to Sudan as well.

What you will bring to the role

• Demonstrated experience in humanitarian policy, advocacy and diplomacy.
• Proven leadership in developing advocacy strategies and approaches.
• Previous experience working in areas/countries affected by active conflicts is mandatory. as well as an understanding of the Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) mandate.
• Previous experience in the humanitarian system, including inter-agency is mandatory.
• Willingness to travel to fragile areas affected by humanitarian crisis including armed conflict.
• An understanding of the humanitarian architecture, coordination mechanisms and its various working groups, including some experience in influencing within these structures desired.
• Deep understanding of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is mandatory.
• Proven record of advocacy successes.
• Experience at least at the regional level or in multi-country crises.
• Strong networking and negotiation skills.
• Ability to analyze information and data and clearly present results and ideas.
• Competency to provide strategic direction and clear recommendations to deliver on advocacy aims.
• Demonstrable and substantive knowledge of current humanitarian issues and relevant legal and policy frameworks.
• Exceptional understanding of the role of humanitarian actors in influencing change with both national and global stakeholders.
• Education/Professional Skills: Masters’ degree or equivalent experience in your area of expertise in IHL, international relations, humanitarian policy, diplomacy, humanitarian action, human rights, or others.

For more information regarding the person and job specification, please click on the below link: Role Profile Humanitarian Diplomacy and Advocacy Advisor - Final.doc

How to apply

Please click on 'Apply now' to submit your application.

Type of Role: One-year fixed term contract renewable dependent on funding and performance. Mandatory unaccompanied posting.

Reports to: Country Director

Location: This is a Global Search. The role must be based in either Somalia or South Sudan – Therefore a competitive salary and relocation package will be available if required.

Closing Date: 10th August 2025

Anticipated 1st round interview: 14th and 15th August

Anticipated final round interview: 21st August

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