Full time Job Opportunity Chief Operating Officer at Plan International

Organisation: Plan International

Location: Nigeria (National Office)

Job Type: Full-Time

Salary: Competitive (Commensurate with experience)

Application Deadline: 20 February 2026

About Plan International

Plan International is a leading humanitarian and development organisation with more than 75 years of experience advancing children’s rights and equality for girls. Established in 1937, the organisation has evolved from supporting children affected by conflict to partnering with governments and communities across the globe to deliver sustainable, child-centred development and humanitarian programmes.

Why This Role Matters

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a pivotal executive leadership role responsible for ensuring that Plan International’s global and country operations function efficiently, safely, and in alignment with organisational strategy. By strengthening operational excellence, governance, and risk management, the COO enables the organisation to deliver high-quality programmes that protect children and promote lasting impact.

Job Summary

The Chief Operating Officer will provide strategic oversight of organisational operations, governance, and enterprise-level service delivery. Reporting to executive leadership, the role is responsible for translating strategy into effective operational execution, strengthening cross-functional coordination, and embedding resilience, safeguarding, and risk management frameworks. The COO will operate effectively within a federated and decentralised organisational model, balancing global alignment with local responsiveness.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Lead and oversee organisational operations to ensure effective execution of strategic priorities.
• Translate organisational strategy into actionable operational plans, systems, and performance frameworks.
• Drive cross-functional coordination to improve efficiency, accountability, and impact.

Governance, Risk, and Safeguarding

• Provide executive oversight of integrated risk management and safeguarding systems.
• Ensure organisational resilience and compliance frameworks are deeply embedded into operations.
• Strengthen governance structures and operational assurance mechanisms.

Organisational Performance and Systems

• Oversee enterprise-wide operational systems supporting programme delivery.
• Promote continuous improvement, innovation, and learning across all operational functions.
• Monitor key performance metrics and lead corrective actions where required.

Stakeholder Engagement and Influence

• Build trusted relationships with internal leadership, boards, and external partners.
• Influence across diverse cultural and geographic contexts to achieve shared objectives.
• Support collaboration within federated and networked organisational structures.

Leadership and People Management

• Lead, mentor, and support senior leaders across global and country operations.
• Foster a high-performance, values-driven organisational culture.
• Strengthen leadership capacity and succession planning within the operations directorate.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree (BA/BSc/HND) in a relevant field. A Master’s degree is strongly preferred and considered an added advantage.
• Leadership: Extensive senior executive leadership experience within International NGOs (INGOs) or complex global organisations.
• Operational Expertise: Proven track record in overseeing global operations, governance, or enterprise service delivery.
• Risk Management: Strong background in organisational resilience, safeguarding, and integrated risk management.
• Structural Familiarity: Demonstrated experience working within federated, decentralised, or networked organisational structures.
• Execution: Proven ability to drive strategic execution across multiple functions and diverse regions.

Skills and Competencies

• Exceptional executive leadership and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Advanced stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and influencing abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead culturally diverse and geographically dispersed teams.
• Decisive problem-solving skills and excellent communication.
• High standards of integrity, accountability, and a deep commitment to humanitarian values.

Benefits of Working with Plan International

• A high-impact executive role within a globally respected humanitarian organisation.
• Competitive remuneration and benefits package.
• The opportunity to shape large-scale humanitarian and development operations.
• Professional growth within an inclusive, mission-driven environment.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should apply through Plan International’s official recruitment platform.

Note to Applicants: Your application should clearly demonstrate senior leadership experience, operational impact, and alignment with Plan International’s mission and values.

Application Closing Date: 20 February 2026

How to apply

Interested and Qualified Candidates should:

Go to Chief Operating Officer at Plan International to Apply