Thematic Advisor

At Plan International Sweden, we believe in a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We are currently looking for a Thematic Advisor for a temporary position who wants to drive real, sustainable change – with a focus on youth economic empowerment including skills development, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for youth and young women in particularly. This is your chance to influence decision-makers, build powerful partnerships, and shape programmes that create long-term impact for youth globally.

About the Role

As a Thematic Advisor, you will play a central role in building up a new portfolio of projects and strengthening our expertise in the area of youth economic empowerment. In this role, you will:

• Lead and develop thematic policies and strategies on youth economic empowerment. This includes developing positions and tools related to skills and career development, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, and broader livelihood opportunities, as well as contextualising programme and advocacy support across diverse contexts.
• Provide demand-driven support and guidance for programme design, implementation, and monitoring to ensure tangible results for children and youth in the area of youth economic empowerment, including in fragile and protracted crisis settings.
• Drive high-quality proposal development and resource mobilization, identifying strategic funding opportunities, cultivating strong donor relationships, and develop proposals within the youth economic empowerment area in close collaboration with colleagues from Plan Sweden and Plan International’s regional and country offices.
• Build strategic partnerships and represent Plan International in Sweden and internationally, contributing to visibility, collaboration, and influence.
• Contribute to advocacy and influencing efforts on youth economic empowerment and related thematic areas, bringing insights and evidence from programme experience.
• Support capacity strengthening, learning, and innovation related to youth economic empowerment across countries where we work, both globally and in Sweden.

What You Bring

• An advanced degree in political science, social sciences, gender or development studies.
• Several years of experience working with and providing technical advice to international programmes and interventions on youth economic empowerment (skills and career development, livelihood development, youth employment and entrepreneurship, private sector collaboration) in both development contexts and humanitarian settings as well as a solid background in international development and humanitarian work.
• A strong understanding of, and commitment to, applying a human rights-based approach is essential. Proven experience in advancing the rights of young people, and a strong strategic understanding of how to promote gender equality in the world of work in diverse contexts.
• Proven experience with resource mobilization including proposal development and proposal writing, for various donors, such as Sida, EU, UN, and private foundations.
• Experience of working internationally in countries across diverse cultures and contexts, and in building partnerships.
• Experience of working with education programmes in development and/or emergency contexts is a merit.
• Experience in advocacy and communication are essential, and being a spokesperson is a merit.
• Excellent communication skills in English are essential, while proficiency in Swedish, French, Spanish or other languages is considered an asset.

To thrive in this role

you are structured, analytical, and driven by a genuine curiosity to explore and deepen your knowledge in the thematic area and to share your insights with others. You are eager to build a new portfolio of projects and credible with partners and donors. You enjoy immersing yourself in complex topics, translating them into clear messages that inspire action. You are an excellent communicator who can adapt your message to different audiences, and you enjoy working in close collaboration with colleagues and external partners.

About the position

The position is a fixed-term employment for one year, starting as soon as possible, with the possibility of extension. The employment rate is 100%, which corresponds to 37.5 hours per week. International travel is a requirement for the role. Plan International Sweden’s office is located in Stockholm; however, remote work from another country where Plan International operates may be considered. Working in Sweden requires a valid work permit.

Application and contact

Welcome with your application as soon as possible as selection and interviews are ongoing. Application deadline is 22 February 2026. In the recruitment process, we use a competency-based interview technique that promotes inclusion, open-minded recruitment and increased diversity.

If you want to know more about the position, you are welcome to contact Head of Policy and Thematic Unit, Malin Hansson, [email protected]. If you have questions about your application, you can contact HR Partner Johanna Jennel at [email protected]. Trade union representatives (Unionen and Akademikerförbundet) can be reached on 08-587 755 00.

Plan International Sweden was established in 1997 and today has around 100 employees. We are an independent part of the global child rights organization Plan International, operating in 75 countries. Plan International is politically and religiously independent and all our work is based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. We work to ensure that all children have the right to go to school, access healthcare, be protected from violence, abuse and neglect, and have the opportunity to participate in society and develop their potential.

With us, long-term thinking and action are important; through our drive and commitment, we create conditions for children and youth to influence their future. We respect all people, value diversity, and challenge inequality. We strive for a just world that strengthens children’s rights and girls’ equal opportunities – do you want to help?