Advisor, Planning & Implementation (P3)

For over 100 years, Save the Children has been fighting for the rights of children. The right to a healthy start in life. To have access to education. To be in a safe environment, protected from harm. We work in some of the world’s hardest-to-reach places – over 100 countries, including the U.S. No matter what your role is, when you join Save the Children, you’re creating positive, irreversible change for children, and the future we all share.

As the Advisor, Planning and Implementation reporting to the Head of Program Implementation (PI), you will support the effective planning, coordination, and execution of projects and initiatives across the Program Implementation portfolio.  A core responsibility of your role is to ensure that the SCUS PI Senior Management Team (SMT) provides information in a consistent and regular manner, enabling the Head of Program Implementation to deliver accurate, timely updates to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). Working closely with the Head of Program Implementation and other SCUS PI SMT team leaders, you will establish and maintain the systems, processes, and cadences that underpin effective communication, reporting, coordination, and decision-making across the department.

Serve as a key operational partner to the Head of PI and PI SMT, supporting effective planning, coordination, communication and execution across the department. 

• Coordinate PI SMT, ESMT, State Leads, and other departmental meetings by preparing agendas and materials, documenting decisions and action items, distributing meeting notes, and tracking follow-up activities to support accountability and timely execution.
• Manage tracking and coordination of PI SMT and PI ESMT retreat priorities and other PI SMT workstreams
• Support the development and maintenance of workplans by documenting priorities, tracking  owners, timelines, milestones, and resource requirements.
• Develop and maintain a consolidated resourcing tracker covering consultants engaged by State Directors, International and Domestic program staff, Global Emergency Humanitarian Surge Platform deployments, and representatives on cross-functional and agency-wide projects;
• Ensure resourcing decisions and commitments are aligned with budget and planning, flagging gaps or misalignments to the Head of Program Implementation in a timely manner.
• Monitor SCUS and global movement transformation initiatives relevant to Program Implementation, coordinating PI participation as needed, and providing regular status updates to department leadership.
• Track all cross-departmental PHFFA activities and milestones, identifying dependencies and risks, monitoring progress, and escalating issues or challenges to PI SMT as appropriate.

• Define roles and responsibilities for PHFFA and project communications, internal updates and information sharing.
• Support PHFFA communication with SCI, especially between key support function stakeholders, program implementation and SCI counterparts.
• Ensure required SCI operational and approvals are completed, documented and filed.
• Organize and prioritize critical issues and information to facilitate efficient and timely decisions. 
• Proactively manage issues, risks, and scope changes, internally and with SCI. 
• Communicate PHFFA updates and challenges to stakeholders and senior management. 
• Maintain a repository of documentation, as well as updated PHFFA webpage.

• Provide high-touch logistical support for key engagements, VIP visits, meetings, and events.
• Develop and update calendar and visit agendas to share with SMT and state teams.
• Ensure correct approval process is followed – including objectives, documentation, process for each type of visit, return on investment (ROI) commitment.
• Coordinate travel and all logistics with state teams, materials, scheduling, and follow-up to ensure seamless execution and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Coordinate after action/visit review ensuring ongoing improvement for site visits and ROI analysis.

• Own and maintain the PI department SaveNet page, as well as PHFFA specific webpage, ensuring it is current and contains up-to-date resources, strategies, plans, dashboards, SOPs, and key reference materials accessible to all department staff. This includes working with representatives from teams within PI to ensure up to date landing pages and information. SMT (aggregate view)
  • State Leads (state-specific views)
  • Head Start
  • International Programs – including PHFFA projects and potential projects
  • Humanitarian (Domestic & International)
• Ensure information is clear, visual, and accessible, and serves as the official data in supporting decision-making and alignment
• Develop weekly, monthly and ad hoc SMT communication to teams
• In coordination with the Head of PI, send weekly SMT meeting notes to all PI staff
• Develop and issue quarterly updates on progress against departmental workplans and objectives.
• Support the development and maintain PI (including PHFFA) presentations and Board of Director materials for use of SMT staff and others, ensuring consistency with SC branding.

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, plus at least 5 years of relevant experience 

• Demonstrated experience in leading change processes.
• Demonstrated ability to work with senior-level executives to move complex issues forward.
• Proven ability to make decisions and demonstrate sound judgement in a fast-moving environment
• Demonstrated experience developing and working on strategic plans.
• Ability to work collaboratively with senior staff across a global organization.
• Demonstrated analytical, organization, and communication skills.

• Proven attention to detail, ability to oversee multiple projects concurrently and work cross-functionally.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals and teams at all levels, both internally and externally

• Professional proficiency in MS Office suite 

• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English

• Master’s Degree in field related to development, humanitarian work or business administration.

• Ability to speak a second, relevant language– French, Arabic or Spanish preferred.
• Previous Save the Children experience.

We are looking to build an inclusive team at Save the Children. We offer a range of outstanding benefits to support this goal:

• Flexible schedules and time off: Flexible schedules, generous PTO, 11 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays, and hybrid working opportunities
• Health: Competitive health care, dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Family: A variety of paid leaves: caregiver, parental/adoption, critical child illness and fertility benefits
• Employee Rewards Program: Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees
• Retirement: A retirement savings plan with employer contributions (after one year)
• Wellness: 15 safety and wellness days annually (if hired on or after July 1, safety and wellness days prorated to 8 days), mental health benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events
• Employee Assistance Program: free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services
• Learning & Growth: Access to internal and external learning & development opportunities and mentorships

Click here to learn more about how Save the Children US will invest in you.

Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom we are in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse.

Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs for children and families. Our shared duty, both agency and individual, is to seek and maintain safe working conditions for all.

If you require disability assistance with the application or recruitment process, please submit a request to applicantsupport@savechildren.org.