Desk Officer (Dublin based)

Dublin
Permanent
Full-time

1 month ago

Grade: 3Reports to: Team Lead Irish Aid UnitDirect Reports: NoneDepartment: Programmes DepartmentStarting date: 15th September 2025About Plan International IrelandPlan 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. Plan International Ireland has been certified as one of Ireland’s Best Workplaces each year since 2020.Purpose of roleThe Desk Officer is an important member of the Programmes Implementation Team, which is responsible for managing and delivery of our institutional grant portfolio. You will be part of the Irish Aid Unit reporting to the Irish Aid Unit Team Lead, with a primary focus on Irish Aid funding in humanitarian and acute crises. You will be the primary focal point between Plan International Ireland and Plan Country Offices (COs) where our grants are being delivered. You will link closely with Plan International Ireland’s technical experts to strengthen the design and management of humanitarian grants, supporting a robust pipeline of grants. You will support the Business Development Unit (BDU) in the design of quality priority donor proposals and the identification and development new grant opportunities as they arise. You will liaise with the Fundraising and Communications Department to profile Plan International Ireland’s work in the designated COs, and within Ireland. You will also form part of Plan International’s Emergency Roster and, if opportunity and workload permit, may be deployed at short notice to respond to emergencies.Key Duties and ActivitiesManaging a Grants Portfolio

Grant management, compliance, and financial management of humanitarian and acute crisis programme grants within the designated COs, with a primary focus on the Irish Aid funding streams, and other projects as required to support a balanced portfolio management.
Strong co-ordination and liaison with both COs and National Offices, to support the delivery of high-quality programmes.
Maintenance of robust donor engagement, particularly with Irish Aid’s Humanitarian Unit at the appropriate levels and collaborating with the Business Development Unit (BDU) in the identification of new funding opportunities, supporting a robust grants pipeline to our priority COs.
Maintenance of a strong context analysis on priority countries and on the donor landscape in particular for Irish Aid in protracted crises.

Country Office (CO) support

Support COs in developing, implementing, monitoring, and reviewing Country Strategic Plans (CSPs).
Strengthen coordination and learning between COs and other National Offices, where relevant.
Ensure COs are informed of Plan International Ireland’s thematic priorities and emerging best practices.
Provide mentoring, training, and backstopping to designated COs to support quality implementation, MERL, and timely reporting.
Conduct regular monitoring visits to review progress, outputs, and compliance with donor and internal policies.
In coordination with finance and compliance teams, support budget management and conduct sample financial verifications.
Guide COs in programme cycle management and maintain strong communication flows with implementing partners.
Help COs identify and document innovative, scalable approaches.
Maintain accurate records and programme documentation for designated countries.
Represent Plan International Ireland in donor or partner engagements, as required.

Resource mobilisation

Contribute to the development and implementation of funding strategies for designated COs.
Support the BDU in the development of high-quality proposals related to designated COs and, where required, lead on proposals.
Support COs to identify income streams locally and support on the design of new proposals.

Emergency Response

Travel to disaster affected areas as required at short notice for possible sustained periods to support Plan’s field teams to respond to emergencies where portfolio workload allows.
Manage documentation related to ongoing and new emergencies as required.
Prepare emergency response briefings for Plan International Ireland and donors.

Learning, knowledge management, and communications

Support the Irish Aid Team Lead in the management of Plan International Ireland’s compliance, and administrative responsibilities to Irish Aid.
Manage programme reviews and evaluations, and share learning, research and best practices, in close co-ordination with Plan International Ireland’s technical advisors, with a priority responsibility for Irish Aid engagement internally in the Plan Federation, including funding through Embassies.
Sharing of learning and knowledge management for programmes, both internally and across COs to strengthen delivery of programmes.
Assist COs to develop stories of change and briefing papers that can also be shared with the communications, fundraising, programme funding and technical teams as appropriate.
Maintain a watching brief on country contexts, programmes/projects, and evaluation and/or advocacy initiatives of designated countries and share with internal teams where appropriate.
Represent Plan International Ireland and contribute to profiling our work within the Plan Federation, in Ireland, and through relevant national and international networks.

TravelTravel to Plan COs for up to three months per year.OtherContribute actively to Plan International Ireland’s Programme Implementation Team, sharing ideas and experience to ensure the implementation of our programme strategy and to build programme quality.Competencies RequiredEssentialInternational Development/Humanitarian Programming

Four years relevant experience working on international development and humanitarian related programmes, with overseas programme delivery and grant management experience desirable.
Fluency in French – both written and spoken – is mandatory for this role.

Project ManagementKnowledge and experience of;Response to chronic, acute and protracted crisesProgramme cycle management,Results Based Management,Localisation and locally led developmentImplementation of gender responsive programming as per PlanInternational Ireland’s mandate.Knowledge of other key humanitarian standards, such as SPHERE and the implementation of CHS.Ability to use participatory approaches in project design and implementation.Ability to plan well and deliver on objectives in a timely way, particularly in relation to meeting grant management deadlines.Ability to seek out, develop, and successfully implement new ideas, or adopt proven approaches that support the delivery of quality programmes.Compliance and FinanceAbility to oversee a portfolio of projects, donor compliance skills, including strong financial understanding.Ability to prepare and manage project budgets, prepare and assess financial reporting in line with good practice and donor requirements.Strong communications and networking skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills, and ability to adapt messages to meet diverse audiences.
Ability to engage with others inside and outside the organisation to promote Plan Internationals’ child rights agenda, safeguarding work, and organisational profile.

A team player who is willing to adapt to change

Willing to respond positively and constructively to change and play an active role in Plan International Ireland’s Programme Implementation Team.

Desirable

Experience working with Irish Aid funding.
Experience of working in West and Central Africa.
Experience working in education and youth programming.
Experience with multi-country and/or multi-sectoral programming.

Salary and benefits

Work for a certified “Great Place to Work” organisation
This role is graded as a Level 3 within our salary scale, with an expected range between €40,000 to €46,000per annum. Placement on the scale will be dependent on level of experience and fit within the role.
In addition to salary, Plan International Ireland provides several employee benefits, some of which include:

Private Health Insurance for all employees (from commencement date);
Comprehensive health package;
Matching company pension contributions up to 5% (once probation is complete);
Flexible working hours (core hours of 10am to 4pm daily, minimum of 37 hours per week);
As an employee you will be able to sign up to the Bike-to-Work scheme, or the TaxSaver scheme for DART, LUAS, and Dublin bus users;
Hybrid working option on completion of probation;
Learning and career development, including technical skills, management, and professional development.

Location & work permitThe Desk Officer role will be based in Dublin. Applicants must have a valid work permit at the time of applying to enable them to work in Ireland.

ReliefWeb

Apply Now