About the role

The Youth Program Unit is part of the Program Department of PlanBørnefonden.

The unit is overall responsible for the development and implementation of programs in relation to youth with a holistic approach including education and access to jobs and entrepreneurship, civic engagement and SRHR funded from many donors such as Danida, EU, private foundations, and private sector partnerships. We operate in East and West Africa and the MENA region, and we work in very close collaboration with Plan’s country offices. PlanBørnefonden has a very strong track record and portfolio working with youth including the use of innovative financing and private sector partnerships. With the new Africa strategy of the Danish government and its focus on investment in youth and access to jobs, PlanBørnefonden is in a very strong position to further grow the youth portfolio and footprint. The position as Head of Youth will play a key role in lifting this potential.  

As the Head of Youth Programs, your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead the program strategy development and grant acquisition process in close collaboration with a wide range of external and internal stakeholders
• Set the strategic direction for the unit and department in collaboration with colleagues  
• Lead the Youth Program team, which consists of 12 to 14 staff members 
• Lead quality management of the grant’s portfolio of a present total value of approx. 500 million DKK 
• Be a part of the Program leadership team and the Management team of PlanBørnefonden and ensure strong collaboration across program teams and departments 
• Monitoring and administration of the budget related to the programmes

The ideal candidate

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated, collaborative and inspiring leader holding a degree on Master´s level.  The candidate can demonstrate strong knowledge and concrete results with growing and managing a largescale donor funded program portfolio with impact and success including resource mobilisation preferably both in a development and humanitarian/nexus context – for example from an International NGO, UN Agency or the like. 

Solid leadership and people management experience with successfully leading and developing a team is a must. 

The ideal candidate thinks strategically and can seize opportunities in a systematic and collaborative way.  The candidate must have the ability to manage complexity in a large international organisation. Strong communication skills and solid experience with stakeholder management. Experience with developing and managing private sector partnerships is also an advantage.

You must be able to understand, speak, and write English. French is an advantage.  

Conditions of employment

The preferred starting date is October 2024. The work location is PlanBørnefonden’s Copenhagen office. Significant travel activity must be expected. 

Application process 

PlanBørnefonden collaborates with the international Executive Search agency, Friisberg & Partners International, which is responsible for the recruitment process for this position. Send your short, motivated application/CV in PDF to Partner & Head of Research, Josephine Fisker Lindhart at j.lindhart@friisberg.com. Only applications sent to this email will be considered. Write “Head of Youth Programs” in the subject field. The application deadline is Wednesday august 7th at 4pm. 

If you have specific questions about the position, you are welcome to contact Chief Operating Officer, Anne Smith Petersen (anne.smith@planbornefonden.dk / +45 22 85 06 55) in the period 1 to 7 August.

About PlanBørnefonden 

PlanBørnefonden is one of Denmark's largest privately funded child rights organisations. We are a part of Plan International and we operate in over 70 countries. We work to ensure the rights of children and young people in the most vulnerable and fragile areas of the world with a special focus on girls and young women, who are particularly affected by inequality and poverty. You will be part of a modern development organization with high professionalism. 

At PlanBørnefonden, we are deeply committed to our work for children's rights, gender equality and antiracism. We encourage all qualified candidates, regardless of ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, and age, to apply for the position. As an employee at PlanBørnefonden, you will commit yourself to Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy that aims to make sure that no child or young person who is associated with our work comes to any harm. 

Read more about us at www.planbornefonden.dk.