Project Director – Climate-Smart Agriculture & WASH (AfDB Project)

About the Organization

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization advancing children’s rights and equality for girls. Operating in over 80 countries, we tackle the root causes of discrimination, poverty, and violence to build a just, resilient, and equal world.

Job Summary

As the Project Director for Climate-Smart Agriculture and WASH, you will provide strategic leadership, technical expertise, and operational oversight for a cross-border initiative funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB). Operating across Unity State (South Sudan) and the Gambelia Region (Ethiopia), you will oversee integrated Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) interventions. This role ensures sustainable peacebuilding, youth engagement, and gender equality—targeting 60% female participation across all activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Leadership & Operations:
  • Develop and manage integrated FSL and WASH implementation, procurement, and closeout plans aligning with donor standards and timelines.
  • Lead project execution, manage cross-functional field teams, and oversee sub-grantees in South Sudan and Ethiopia.
  • Design training modules and lead Training of Trainers (ToT) on crop/livestock production, Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA), and WASH protection.
• Technical Guidance & Capacity Building:
  • Deliver field-level technical support, coaching, and mentoring on Climate-Smart Agriculture, market system development, and value chains.
  • Standardize technical tools using global frameworks such as Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).
  • Establish sustainable agribusinesses, VSLAs, and local employment pathways.
• Monitoring, Evaluation & Quality Control:
  • Oversee FSL/WASH needs assessments, household surveys, and climate-risk evaluations for water infrastructure.
  • Implement feedback mechanisms and track project performance using tools like IPTT, BVA, and DIP.
  • Document lessons learned and best practices for global policy and advocacy.
• Financial Management & Reporting:
  • Manage donor budgets, track monthly burn rates (BVA), perform financial forecasts, and ensure strict compliance.
  • Prepare high-quality quarterly, biannual, and annual reports for AfDB and internal management.
• Stakeholder Representation:
  • Represent Plan International in regional and national FSL/WASH clusters and donor forums.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in Agriculture, Water Resources Engineering, Rural Development, Disaster Risk Management, Environmental Sciences, Economics, or a related field.
• Certification: Professional Project Management Certification (PMP or internationally accredited equivalent) required.
• Experience: 8–10+ years managing large-scale FSL and WASH projects with international development banks, UN agencies, or humanitarian organizations.
• Domain Expertise: Deep knowledge of climate-resilient agriculture, food systems, agribusiness, financial inclusion, and WASH infrastructure management in East Africa.
• Languages: Full professional proficiency in English (oral and written); knowledge of local Arabic or local languages is an advantage.

How to Apply

Submit your application before Tuesday, 15 September 2026 at 21:59 UK time via the Plan International Careers Page.