We are looking for a seasoned Humanitarian Needs Assessment Specialist who will enhance the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of needs assessments throughout our humanitarian initiatives.
This pivotal role involves providing real-time assistance to Country Offices, enabling them to develop and execute robust, principled humanitarian needs assessments. By doing so, you will position Plan International to design impactful programs, secure vital funding, and address the urgent needs of children most at risk—with a particular focus on girls.
This position requires extensive international travel and frequent deployments to humanitarian emergencies, typically on short notice.
Oversee critical operational duties to ensure seamless workflow efficiency and organizational success. Responsibilities include leading strategic initiatives, managing cross-functional teams, and maintaining high performance standards. Duties also entail analyzing data to drive informed decision-making, optimizing processes to enhance productivity, and ensuring adherence to company policies and industry regulations. Additional tasks involve collaborating with stakeholders, mentoring team members, and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
You will:
Design and implement user-centric tools, frameworks, and methodologies to facilitate efficient, cross-sectoral needs assessments.
Embed gender, child protection, disability inclusion, and age considerations into every assessment, strictly adhering to Sphere and Core Humanitarian Standard guidelines.
Assist Country Offices in producing meticulously crafted assessment reports that meet the standards and expectations of donors, humanitarian clusters, and peer organizations.
Develop and provide training programs focused on needs assessment to enhance organizational capabilities.
Collaborate effectively with the MERL and Digital teams to enhance the adoption of digital data collection tools and ensure alignment with monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
Travel to various country offices for periods of up to four months at a time to provide hands-on support for assessment design and implementation efforts.
Plan International delegates actively participate in inter-agency coordination forums, such as those affiliated with the IAS networks, to represent the organization’s interests and foster collaborative relationships.
Transform assessment data into impactful insights and deliverables to bolster the efforts of fundraising, advocacy, and influencing teams.
Enhance coordination with donor stipulations, particularly ensuring timely ECHO submissions throughout HIP cycles.
Develop a comprehensive annual global assessment summarizing key humanitarian trends and emerging challenges worldwide.
Implement and uphold safeguarding, child protection, and gender equality policies across every aspect of the role to ensure full compliance and integration.
About You
You possess substantial experience as a humanitarian practitioner, excelling in dynamic and high-pressure settings. With a blend of specialized technical skills and a cooperative approach focused on strengthening local capabilities, you deliver impactful results in challenging contexts.
Proficient candidates will possess substantive experience and a robust skill set, including expertise in relevant tools, methodologies, or industry-specific practices essential to the role. Key competencies should include strong analytical abilities, effective communication skills, and demonstrated proficiency in tasks critical to the position. Additionally, familiarity with applicable software, systems, or frameworks, as well as prior hands-on experience in related fields, will be required. A proven track record of successfully fulfilling similar responsibilities and achieving measurable outcomes will be highly valued.
Seasoned professionals with a proven track record in orchestrating or facilitating humanitarian needs assessments in a variety of emergency environments—particularly those characterized by sudden-onset crises—are sought after.
Demonstrates exceptional proficiency in conducting gender analysis and seamlessly incorporating protection and inclusion principles into evaluation processes.
Developed and successfully delivered numerous training programs, demonstrating expertise in instructional design and adult learning principles.
Possesses a comprehensive understanding of donor expectations and established humanitarian standards, including those outlined by Sphere, the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), the Child Protection Minimum Standards (CPMS), and the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (KNEE).
Proven expertise in utilizing digital platforms for gathering and interpreting data efficiently is essential.
Experienced in conducting in-depth analysis, managing coordination tasks, and producing detailed written reports.
Demonstrates readiness to mobilize promptly and operate effectively in demanding conditions.
Desirable:
Demonstrated experience in drafting or contributing to funding proposals and donor submissions is required.
Skilled in creating persuasive advocacy or influencing messaging derived from assessment outcomes.
Collaborative experience with external partners is required, demonstrating an ability to engage and work effectively with diverse organizations.
Proficiency in English is required, with fluency in French, Spanish, or Arabic considered a valuable asset.
Working Conditions
As a globally-focused position with significant deployment requirements, this role entails extensive travel and field assignments. You will dedicate roughly the following amount of time to deployments across various locations.
During the initial twelve months, you will spend approximately half of your time based in the country of assignment.
Up to 75% of compensation may be allocated in subsequent years, based on performance and other relevant factors.
