TEAM LEAD – DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO
Location: Dublin, Ireland preferred.
Responsible to: Head of Programmes
Contract Type: Full Time
Start date: August 2026
Plan International Ireland
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Working together with children, young people, our supporters, and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. We enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.
We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years and are now active in more than 80 countries. Established in 2003, Plan International Ireland influences and supports Plan International’s work worldwide. In the last financial year our turnover was €17m and we worked directly with 19 countries across the globe.
POSITION SUMMARY
Plan International Ireland is seeking an experienced development professional to lead a portfolio of institutional donor-funded programmes and grants. Reporting to the Head of Programmes, the Team Lead will provide strategic and operational leadership across a diverse portfolio funded by development focused donors including the European Union (e.g. INTPA/ Global Gateway Initiative), Global Partnership for Education (GPE), UN agencies, and private donors.
The postholder will oversee high-quality grant management, donor compliance, financial oversight, reporting, and risk management while directly managing a number of strategic and complex grants. Working closely with Country Offices, technical advisors, finance and compliance colleagues, and donors, they will support programme delivery, strengthen portfolio performance, contribute to business development efforts, and help position the organisation for future funding opportunities. The role will also provide leadership and support to a small team, fostering collaboration, continuous learning, and excellence in programme delivery across Plan International Ireland's development portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and oversee a portfolio of institutional donor-funded programmes and grants.
Ensure effective grant management, compliance, reporting, financial oversight, and risk management.
Support donor engagement, fundraising, and business development activities with development focused international donors including the EU, GPE, UN agencies, and private/corporate donors supporters
Lead and support mutual learning and capacity-strengthening initiatives for Country Offices, partners, both remotely and through in-country engagement.
Build strong relationships with Country Offices, other entities of the Plan federation, donors, internal and external stakeholders and networks.
Lead, coach, and develop portfolio staff to deliver high-quality programmes.
Promote learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the portfolio.
Experience working with institutional development focused donors such as the EU, UN agencies, GPE, bilateral donors and private foundations.
Experience managing complex institutional donor-funded development programmes.
Strong grant management, compliance, financial monitoring, ME and donor reporting skills.
Excellent analytical skills, including the ability to develop, manage, and interpret budgets, financial reports, and programme performance data to support effective decision-making and ensure alignment between programme delivery and financial performance.
Experience leading or supervising staff and supporting team development.
Excellent communication, organisational, and relationship management skills.
Strong organisational skills and ability to navigate competing priorities within an evolving development funding landscape, adapting to shifting donor priorities and emerging funding opportunities.
French language skills; additional languages are an asset.
Experience working with programmes in West and/or Central Africa, Middle East, and/or Asia-Pacific
Experience in one or more of Plan International's thematic areas, particularly Education in Emergencies, Child Protection in Emergencies, MHPSS, SRHR, and Gender Equality.
Strong commitment to children's rights, gender equality, and Plan International's values
Excellent communication, collaboration and relationship-building skills.
Proactive, solution-oriented, and accountable.
Strong judgement with the ability to balance strategic thinking and operational delivery.
Adaptable and committed to continuous learning.
Essential Requirements
Experience working with institutional development focused donors such as the EU, UN agencies, GPE, bilateral donors and private foundations.
Experience managing complex institutional donor-funded development programmes.
Strong grant management, compliance, financial monitoring, ME and donor reporting skills.
Excellent analytical skills, including the ability to develop, manage, and interpret budgets, financial reports, and programme performance data to support effective decision-making and ensure alignment between programme delivery and financial performance.
Experience leading or supervising staff and supporting team development.
Excellent communication, organisational, and relationship management skills.
Strong organisational skills and ability to navigate competing priorities within an evolving development funding landscape, adapting to shifting donor priorities and emerging funding opportunities.
French language skills; additional languages are an asset.
Experience working with programmes in West and/or Central Africa, Middle East, and/or Asia-Pacific
Experience in one or more of Plan International's thematic areas, particularly Education in Emergencies, Child Protection in Emergencies, MHPSS, SRHR, and Gender Equality.
Strong commitment to children's rights, gender equality, and Plan International's values
Excellent communication, collaboration and relationship-building skills.
Proactive, solution-oriented, and accountable.
Strong judgement with the ability to balance strategic thinking and operational delivery.
Adaptable and committed to continuous learning.
Willingness and ability to travel internationally, including to fragile and crisis-affected, programme contexts, and to work across multiple time zones when required.
Desired qualifications
French language skills; additional languages are an asset.
Experience working with programmes in West and/or Central Africa, Middle East, and/or Asia-Pacific
Experience in one or more of Plan International's thematic areas, particularly Education in Emergencies, Child Protection in Emergencies, MHPSS, SRHR, and Gender Equality.
Personal attributes
Strong commitment to children's rights, gender equality, and Plan International's values
Excellent communication, collaboration and relationship-building skills.
Proactive, solution-oriented, and accountable.
Strong judgement with the ability to balance strategic thinking and operational delivery.
Adaptable and committed to continuous learning.
Please note that this advertisement outlines the key responsibilities and requirements of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive. Candidates invited to interview will be provided with a more detailed overview of the position and its responsibilities.
Application Details and Process
Please note: only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. This advertisement outlines the key responsibilities and requirements of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive. Candidates invited to interview will be provided with a more detailed overview of the position and its responsibilities.
Deadline: 8 July 2026, COB (Dublin).
To apply, please submit:
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
