The Organization

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it is girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges girls and vulnerable children face. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood and 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.

For over 85 years, we have rallied other determined optimists to transform the lives of all children in more than 80 countries.

We won’t stop until we are all equal.

Working in Zambia since 1996, Plan International Zambia’s development and humanitarian programmes focus primarily on Inclusive Quality Education, Skills and Opportunities for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship, Reproductive Health and Rights, Early Childhood Development and Gender Responsive Child Protection. Child protection is key in all that we do. Plan International Zambia has Programme Areas (PAs) in; Central, Luapula, and Eastern Provinces including in Lusaka, where the Country Office is located.

The Opportunity

The purpose of Communications and Youth Engagement Coordinator is to manage and facilitate the implementation of a communication strategy and plans of action aiming at project beneficiaries, donors, government and the general public; support media work on major humanitarian emergencies to manage media enquiries and link with relevant spokespersons as appropriate; gather internal knowledge and transform it into exciting and useful messages, and disseminate it to the right audiences through identification of the most effective distribution channels; and provide technical support and mentoring as well as on the job training to a network of communications focal points/staff in the country. The role is also responsible for leading high-profile campaigns in close collaboration with Plan’s Youth Advisory Panels (YAPs).

What you will bring to the role

• Degree in the social sciences preferably in mass communication, strategic management, research methods, etc.
• Minimum 2 years’ relevant work experience
• Experience of working with international NGOs and understanding of a rights-based approach
• Demonstrable experience in working with international media, communications or public relations roles
• A track record of achieving results and strategic impact on communications and media and in building capacity for teams to deliver
• Development communication and youth engagement experience is an added advantage
• Demonstrated experience of the key responsibilities, including working with media, delivering communications strategies, managing internal communications, knowledge of digital media, and creating networks
• Member of Zambia Public Relations Association-ZAPRA

For more information regarding the person and job specification, please click on this link: Communications & Youth Engagement Coordinator JD.pdf

Location: The role must be based in Lusaka, Country Office

Type of Contract: Fixed Term, Full Time Contract

Reports to: Head of Programs

Grade: Hay Level 15

Closing Date: 19 February, 2026

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.