9 Humanitarian capacity building manager jobs

Who we are:

Muslim Aid is a UK faith-based international development organisation that provides support to communities around the world affected by disasters, conflict, or endemic poverty without regard to their social, religious, or ethnic background. 

Established in 1985, Muslim Aid has facilitated the engagement of the British Muslim and non-Muslim community in support of its work in a variety of ways. Over the years, its humanitarian work has included responses to major crises around the world including famine in East Africa, earthquakes and flooding in Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as conflicts in Syria and Yemen. 

We place strong emphasis on long-term development projects that build the capacity of local people to help themselves. In addition to our 5 country offices worldwide, we also work with multiple partner offices focusing on sustainable development programmes and providing humanitarian relief during times of crisis.

Summary of the role:

The Governance & Performance Manager ensures effective organisational governance, performance oversight, and alignment between strategy and delivery.

The postholder is responsible for leading the coordination of governance processes, Board and Committee cycles, organisational performance frameworks, strategic project management and executive reporting. The role ensures that organisational priorities are translated into clear plans, supported by strong metrics and KPIs, tracked effectively, and reported with accuracy, insight, and consistency.

Working closely with the CEO and Leadership Team, the role strengthens accountability, and enables data-driven decision-making through high-quality performance reporting and analysis.

A key focus of the role is to develop and embed an integrated business planning and performance management framework, ensuring alignment between departmental KPIs, strategic objectives, and organisational outcomes.

The Governance and Performance Manager owns design, judgement, quality assurance and insight, whereas the Governance and Performance Officer owns coordination, tracking, records, follow-up and administrative support.

About the Role:

1. Lead the planning and coordination of Board and Committee cycles, including forward planning, agendas, papers, and meeting schedules.
2. Ensure Board and Committee papers are high-quality, timely, and aligned with governance standards.
3. Oversee Board and Committee minute-taking, action tracking, and follow-up to ensure effective implementation of decisions.
4. Develop high-quality, insight-driven performance reports for the CEO, Leadership Team and Board.
5. Provide analysis, trends, and actionable recommendations to support leadership decision-making.
6. Lead the planning, coordination and development of the organisation’s annual report, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, performance data and organisational achievements as well as the timelines of external auditors, trustees and statutory requirements.

About You:

You must currently hold the right to work in the UK. Muslim Aid is not offering sponsorship for this role.

This role operates on a hybrid working basis, with a requirement to work from the office for two/three days per week, and additional days where required to meet organisational needs.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

1. Degree or equivalent experience in business, management, public administration, or related field.
2. Significant experience in supporting Trustees and Leadership in organisational governance.
3. Significant experience in performance management and organisational reporting.
4. Experience coordinating complex organisational initiatives or projects.
5. Ability to summarise complex information and present clear, actionable recommendations
6. Ability to manage competing priorities and work under pressure.

Why you should apply:

Join Muslim Aid as our Governance & Performance Manager and play a key role in strengthening governance, driving organisational performance, and supporting strategic decision-making. Working closely with the CEO and Leadership Team, you'll help translate strategy into measurable outcomes, lead governance and performance reporting, and embed effective planning frameworks across the organisation. We’d love to hear from you if you're passionate about governance, performance improvement, and making a meaningful impact through strong organisational leadership.

Benefits you will enjoy working for us: 

• 25 days’ annual leave + 4 Privilege days
• Hybrid working - 2/3 days per week in the office
• Paid time off for medical appointments 
• 2 hours lunch break on Fridays 
• Time off in Lieu (TOIL) 
• Pension Scheme

How to apply:

To apply please submit your cover letter (no more than 1 page) and CV.

Pre-employment Checks:

Due to the nature of our work with children and vulnerable communities, Muslim Aid operates rigorous safeguarding and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) procedures in our recruitment process. We are committed to the prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation and adopt a zero-tolerance approach to SEA. As a result, any employment with Muslim Aid is subject to the following checks prior to your start date:

• Satisfactory professional references, including safeguarding-specific enquiries.
• A Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and/or an International Criminal Record Check where applicable.
• A review of right-to-work documentation for the country in which the role is based. 

We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children and vulnerable people are recruited to work for us.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, or age. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications will be accepted until the closing date. However, Muslim Aid reserves the right to initiate interviews and the selection process on a rolling basis with the aim of identifying an appropriate candidate as quickly as possible.

Who we are:

Muslim Aid is a UK faith-based international development organisation that provides support to communities around the world affected by disasters, conflict, or endemic poverty without regard to their social, religious, or ethnic background. 

Established in 1985, Muslim Aid has facilitated the engagement of the British Muslim and non-Muslim community in support of its work in a variety of ways. Over the years, its humanitarian work has included responses to major crises around the world including famine in East Africa, earthquakes and flooding in Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as conflicts in Syria and Yemen. 

We place strong emphasis on long-term development projects that build the capacity of local people to help themselves. In addition to our 5 country offices worldwide, we also work with multiple partner offices focusing on sustainable development programmes and providing humanitarian relief during times of crisis.

Summary of the role:

The Executive Officer to the CEO plays a central role within the CEO Office, supporting the Chief Executive Officer in delivering effective leadership and ensuring alignment across the organisation.

The postholder is responsible for providing high-level executive support to the CEO while acting as a key coordination point across the organisation. The role ensures the effective management of priorities, information flow, and follow-up on leadership actions, enabling the CEO and Executive Leadership Team to operate efficiently and effectively.

In addition, the role leads internal communications and staff engagement, ensuring that organisational priorities, decisions, and key messages are clearly communicated and understood across teams.

This is a proactive and fast-paced role requiring strong organisational, communication, and coordination skills, with a focus on supporting leadership effectiveness, organisational alignment, and operational efficiency.

About the Role:

1. Provide comprehensive executive support to the CEO, ensuring effective management of time, priorities, and workload.
2. Manage the CEO’s diary, meetings, travel arrangements, and logistics.
3. Develop, maintain, and review an effective system for briefing the CEO ahead of meetings and engagements.
4. Act as a central coordination point for information flowing to and from the CEO, as requested.
5. Coordinate and collate departmental reports and documentation for CEO review.
6. Establish and maintain effective communication with internal and external stakeholders, including donors, partners, and senior contacts.

About You:

You must currently hold the right to work in the UK. Muslim Aid is not offering sponsorship for this role.

This role operates on a hybrid working basis, with a requirement to work from the office for two/three days per week, and additional days where required to meet organisational needs.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

1. Bachelor’s degree in business administration, communications, or a related field.
2. Proven experience in an Executive Officer or similar role supporting senior leadership.
3. Proven track record of developing and implementing successful internal communications and staff engagement strategies.
4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders and create compelling communications materials tailored to specific audiences and channels.
5. Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, tasks and projects simultaneously and work under pressure.
6. Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

Why you should apply:

Join Muslim Aid as our Executive Officer to the CEO and play a key role in supporting the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Leadership Team to deliver effective leadership and organisational alignment. You'll coordinate strategic priorities, manage key communications, and help ensure decisions and actions are delivered efficiently across the organisation. If you're highly organised, proactive, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact while supporting Muslim Aid's humanitarian mission.

Benefits of working with us: 

• 25 days’ annual leave + 4 Privilege days
• Hybrid working - 2/3 days per week in the office
• Paid time off for medical appointments 
• 2 hours lunch break on Fridays 
• Time off in lieu (TOIL) 
• Pension Scheme

How to apply:

To apply please submit your cover letter (no more than 1 page) and CV.

Pre-employment Checks:

Due to the nature of our work with children and vulnerable communities, Muslim Aid operates rigorous safeguarding and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) procedures in our recruitment process. We are committed to the prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation and adopt a zero-tolerance approach to SEA. As a result, any employment with Muslim Aid is subject to the following checks prior to your start date:

• Satisfactory professional references, including safeguarding-specific enquiries.
• A Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and/or an International Criminal Record Check where applicable.
• A review of right-to-work documentation for the country in which the role is based. 

We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children and vulnerable people are recruited to work for us.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, or age. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications will be accepted until the closing date. However, Muslim Aid reserves the right to initiate interviews and the selection process on a rolling basis with the aim of identifying an appropriate candidate asex quickly as possible.

Elrha is a global organisation that finds solutions to complex humanitarian problems through research and innovation. 

We are looking to recruit a Research & Innovation Manager (Maternity Cover) to join our Programmes team on a fixed-term basis. Funding for the role is currently secured until 28 February 2027. While we anticipate the maternity cover requirement continuing until the end of November 2027, any extension beyond 28 February 2027 will be dependent on funding being confirmed. 

In this role, you will have the opportunity to lead and shape Elrha's Readiness to Scale Pipeline, supporting innovative humanitarian solutions as they progress towards wider adoption and real-world impact. You will work closely with promising scaling grantees and technical partners, providing strategic oversight, strengthening quality and learning, and helping to navigate risks and opportunities. As a key member of the team, you will play an important role in advancing and evolving Elrha's approach to scaling and adoption, contributing to the future of humanitarian innovation globally. 

Your application will need to demonstrate: 

• Experience of managing complex grants, programmes or projects, including monitoring performance and impact. 
• Experience designing and delivering applied learning and capacity building activities, including needs assessments, learning journeys and strategy development. 
• An understanding of how innovations can achieve scale, adoption and sustainable impact. 
• Excellent stakeholder management and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage diverse partners and build effective relationships. 
• Proven ability to coordinate delivery, manage risk and drive high-quality outcomes. 
• An interest in the humanitarian or development sectors, ideally demonstrated through academic qualifications and/or paid or voluntary work.

Experience of donor engagement, systems and design thinking methods, mentoring innovators or working within humanitarian innovation would also be an advantage. 

If you want to be part of an organisation that creates positive change in the humanitarian sector, then join us and we’ll give you every opportunity to succeed. 

We offer: 

• Remote working as standard – staff can access office bases in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Manchester if required/ appropriate. We expect staff to attend team meetings and away days in person as required. 
• As standard we work 35 hours per week. We are also happy to discuss flexible working patterns and many of our staff work non-standard working hours. 
• Our benefits include minimum 5% employer pension contribution (3% employee contribution), life cover, organisational sick pay, family friendly pay and leave schemes; 26-day basic annual leave entitlement with incremental increase depending on length of service, opportunities for learning and development, a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and retail discounts platform. 
• Please read through the Information for Candidates document for further information about working at Elrha including information about Our Values, Strategy, Benefits and Salaries. 

Note for applicants: 

• Candidates must have the independent right to work in UK, and be resident in the UK, at the time of appointment as we are unable to support visa sponsorship for this role. 
• This is a maternity cover position. Funding for the role is currently confirmed until 28 February 2027. Any extension beyond this date will be subject to the availability of funding and the ongoing requirements of the role. 
• Please read through the job description for a detailed list of requirements, and ensure you complete the personal statement to explain how you feel you meet the requirements of the role and why you feel this is next career move for you. Applications without this information will not be shortlisted. 
• Elrha is an independent subsidiary of SCUK and benefits from some SCUK systems and processes. 
• We reserve the right to close the advert early should we receive a very high volume of applications. 
• We do not use recruitment agencies.

Closing date: 20 September 2026 

Interview dates: w/c 5 October 2026 

We are seeking a Roaming International Finance Manager to provide short- to medium-term finance cover and additional capacity across a global programme portfolio. This is a hands-on international finance role, supporting Programme Managers and country teams to manage financial risk, strengthen financial controls, and ensure effective delivery of standard financial operating procedures.

The role may also include the induction, training and capacity-building of new International Finance Managers and local finance teams.

The successful candidate will work across a range of country programmes, often in challenging or developing-country contexts, providing support on budgeting, donor reporting, financial planning, monthly close processes, cash management, statutory compliance, audit preparation and partner contract oversight. They will play a key role in ensuring financial systems, reporting and controls are robust, compliant and aligned with operational needs.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Supporting country financial planning, forecasting and grant/contract budgeting.
• Monitoring grant and contract spend, including cost-to-completion and spend-out plans.
• Identifying and managing programme financial risks.
• Ensuring financial policies and standard operating procedures are implemented across programme locations.
• Overseeing monthly financial close and ledger accuracy.
• Preparing donor, client and country financial statements.
• Managing cash flow, banking arrangements and exchange-rate exposure.
• Supporting statutory, donor and external audits.
• Building the capacity of national finance teams and supporting staff development.

About you

You will be a qualified accountant, or able to demonstrate equivalent experience, with at least five years’ financial management experience, including two years overseas. You will bring strong financial planning, reporting, donor compliance and risk-management skills, together with the flexibility and resilience required to work in varied international contexts. Experience managing and developing small teams is essential.

This role would suit a practical, adaptable and culturally sensitive finance professional who is comfortable working both strategically and operationally, including in environments where living and working conditions may be basic.

PLEASE NOTE: International deployment i.e. living overseas in programmatric locations consecutively ie country changes every 3-9 months.

Accommodation and living/ travel allowance along with 49 days leave entitlement. Plus additional benefits. 

UK, EU, US, Aus/NZ passport holders.

Starting Salary: £44,766 - £48,225 (including London weighting) 

Contract: Permanent 

Location: UK, Hybrid working with a minimum of 40% of your time in theLondon Office 

Job Profile

This role will lead CAFOD’s policy and advocacy work aimed at tackling the global climate crisis. The post holder will have a solid understanding of debates around climate change, in particular how it impacts climate-vulnerable countries in the Global South. You will bring knowledge of the causes of the climate crisis, and its solutions, particularly global financing needs. Working closely with CAFOD’s overseas partners, and within UK and global networks, this role will hold policy expertise on behalf of the organisation. This will involve developing policy positions and representing the organisation externally. The role will work closely with CAFOD’s government relations and campaigns colleagues to lobby decision-makers and mobilise supporters as part of our climate justice work. Sitting within the Advocacy, Policy & Campaigns team, the role is managed by the head of department.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the development and delivery of CAFOD’s global climate justice advocacy strategy 

• Working in partnership with UK and global organisations to develop evidence‑based policy positions 

• Influencing UK, regional and global policy debates on climate change 

• Representing CAFOD in coalitions, to decision makers, in church networks and at international forums 

• Writing policy briefings, reports and communication outputs 

• Building relationships with external stakeholders and decision makers and UK and global levels 

• Ensuring advocacy is grounded in strong analysis, partner experience and a commitment to social and environmental justice 

• Supporting advocacy work of partners and global networks on debt cancellation and financial system reform 

• Providing strategic and technical advice across the organisation 

• Any other relevant duties reasonably required

Person Specification 

1. Strong background working in climate policy and/or international development policy 

1. Excellent analytical and research skills and an understanding of how to form strategic policy positions

1. Experience of developing strategic advocacy plans 

1. Experience of lobbying decision makers 

1. Background working with partners and coalitions, both in the UK and overseas 

1. Excellent written and verbal communication skills

CAFOD is a welcoming, supportive workplace committed to a safe, inclusive culture where everyone is respected.CAFODwill make reasonable adjustments at every stage of the recruitment process to ensure candidates with disabilities or individual needs are fully supported. 

Safeguarding for Children and Vulnerable Adults 

CAFOD recognises the personal dignity and rights of children and vulnerable adults, towards whom it has a special responsibility and a duty of care and respect. CAFOD, and all its staff and volunteers, undertake to do all in our power to create a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults and to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse. CAFOD is committed to acting at all times in the best interests of children and vulnerable adults, seeing these interests as paramount. Any candidate offered a job with CAFOD will be expected to adhere to CAFOD’s Safeguarding policy and sign CAFOD’s Code of Behaviour as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references, and appropriate screening checks can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. CAFOD also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job 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 his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures. 

Who we are:

Muslim Aid is a UK faith-based international development organisation that provides support to communities around the world affected by disasters, conflict, or endemic poverty without regard to their social, religious, or ethnic background. 

Established in 1985, Muslim Aid has facilitated the engagement of the British Muslim and non-Muslim community in support of its work in a variety of ways. Over the years, its humanitarian work has included responses to major crises around the world including famine in East Africa, earthquakes and flooding in Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as conflicts in Syria and Yemen. 

We place strong emphasis on long-term development projects that build the capacity of local people to help themselves. In addition to our 5 country offices worldwide, we also work with multiple partner offices focusing on sustainable development programmes and providing humanitarian relief during times of crisis.

Summary of the role:

The Data, Risk and Compliance Officer will coordinate Muslim Aid’s organisational approach to data protection, risk management, compliance and assurance coordination. The role will provide oversight of key registers, trackers, records, reports and action plans, including the corporate risk register, compliance obligations register, policy review schedule, data protection records, information-rights requests, breach records, audit action trackers and assurance follow-up.

The postholder will work directly with the COO, leadership team and functional owners across the organisation to strengthen governance, ensure risks and compliance actions are actively managed, support timely escalation and drive continuous improvement in organisational controls and accountability.

The postholder will own coordination, tracking, records, follow-up and administrative support for these areas, while supporting senior colleagues with design, judgement, quality assurance and insight.

About the Role:

1. Maintain the corporate risk register and ensure risks, controls, actions, owners and deadlines are kept up to date.
2. Gather regular updates from functional owners and support teams to articulate and record risks clearly and consistently.
3. Maintain the compliance obligations register, policy review schedule and evidence of compliance activity.
4. Work with departments to record legal, regulatory, donor, funding agreement, data protection and internal policy requirements.
5. Maintain data protection policies, procedures, templates, records of processing activities (ROPAs), data-flow records and information asset registers.
6. Prepare regular reports, exception reports, committee updates, action summaries and briefing notes on risk, compliance, data protection, audit actions and overdue matters.

About You:

You must currently hold the right to work in the UK. Muslim Aid is not offering sponsorship for this role.

This role operates on a hybrid working basis, with a current requirement to work from the office for two/three days per week, and additional days where required to meet organisational needs.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

1. Law degree, equivalent legal qualification or equivalent experience in legal, compliance or regulatory matters.
2. Significant experience in data protection, risk, compliance, governance, assurance or a related area, including responsibility for improving organisational processes and controls.
3. Experience managing risk registers, compliance trackers, policy schedules, action logs and organisational records, with responsibility for quality, timeliness and escalation.
4. Strong organisational and coordination skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, oversee several trackers, manage deadlines and deliver high-quality reports.
5. Ability to influence and follow up actions firmly and professionally, make sound judgements, identify issues requiring escalation and handle sensitive information with discretion.
6. Ability to write clear reports, updates, guidance, action summaries and recommendations for managers, the Leadership Team, committees and the Board..

Why you should apply:

Join Muslim Aid as our Data, Risk & Compliance Officer and play a key role in strengthening our approach to data protection, risk management, compliance and organisational assurance. Working closely with the COO, Leadership Team and colleagues across the organisation, you’ll help ensure key risks, compliance obligations and data protection responsibilities are effectively monitored, managed and addressed. You’ll oversee essential registers, records and action plans, support audit and assurance activity, and help strengthen organisational controls and accountability. If you’re passionate about good governance, effective risk management and using robust processes to drive continuous improvement, we would love to hear from you.

Benefits you will enjoy working for us: 

• 25 days annual leave + 4 Privilege days
• Hybrid working – 2/3 days per week in the office
• Paid time off for medical appointments 
• 2 hours lunch break on Fridays 
• Time Off in Lieu (TOIL)
• Pension scheme

How to apply:

To apply please submit your cover letter (no more than 1 page) and CV.

Pre-employment Checks:

Due to the nature of our work with children and vulnerable communities, Muslim Aid operates rigorous safeguarding and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) procedures in our recruitment process. We are committed to the prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation and adopts a zero-tolerance approach to SEA, as a result, any employment with Muslim Aid is subject to the following checks prior to your start date:

• Satisfactory professional references, including safeguarding-specific enquiries.
• A Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and/or an International Criminal Record Check where applicable.
• A review of right-to-work documentation for the country in which the role is based. 

We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children and vulnerable people are recruited to work for us.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, or age. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications will be accepted until the closing date, however, Muslim Aid reserves the right to initiate interviews and the selection process on a rolling basis with the aim of identifying an appropriate candidate as quickly as possible

Active Communities Development Worker

Grade: NJC Point t23 - £34,434 FTE

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Days: Monday to Friday (core hours are worked between 8am – 6pm)

Contract: Fixed-term contract, initially 12 months (continuation subject to further funding)

Responsible to: Senior Strategic Lead

Place of work: Salford CVS’ offices in Eccles, Salford, M30 0FN and out in Salford’s communities

Salford CVS delivers a range of projects and services that build resilient communities and encourage local people to be active citizens.

You’ll work primarily across our volunteering and emergency response activity, including helping to develop and deliver Salford CVS’s own active communities volunteering programmes. This will vary throughout the year, but you can expect to spend roughly half your time on emergency response and half on volunteering - and in practice, the two often overlap.

Main purposes of the post

To engage with a wide range of partners and volunteers to build active, more connected and resilient communities within the city of Salford. To deliver multiple areas of work around civil contingencies, humanitarian response and emergency response in Salford – from coordinating clear plans and processes and training and supporting volunteers, to enabling VCSE organisations to engage with the work. To support the development of our volunteering and active communities work across multiple services, including the rewarding, people-facing work of coordinating volunteers for local events and celebrations.

The Benefits of Working for Salford CVS

• 28 days’ holiday - rising to 30 days (after five years), plus Bank Holidays (pro rata for part-time)

• Enhanced company sick and maternity pay, subject to terms and conditions of service

• Pension scheme - with 7% employer contribution (and 1% mandatory employee contribution)

• Cycle to Work scheme

• Membership of the Hospital Saturday Fund via an employer subsidised scheme (optional and non-contractual)

• RHS family membership (optional and non-contractual)

• Development opportunities - we support and encourage our staff to progress in their careers (including formal training)

• A supportive working culture - we respect and support one another to do the best we can

We are an accredited Living Wage Employer, Living Hours Employer and Living Wage Funder, ensuring not just our staff are paid the ‘real’ Living Wage but also that any projects we fund can do the same.

Closing Date: 12 noon, Friday 2nd October 2026

Interviews: Tuesday 13th October 2026, in person at Salford CVS’ offices

Location: Global Lumos role based in the UK 

Location type: Hybrid

Reporting to: Chief Programmes and Advocacy Officer

Annual salary: £90,000 – £100,000 GBP

Closing date: Monday, 12th October, 9:00 am CET

Background

Lumos Foundation works to realise every child’s right to a family by transforming care systems around the world. Our vision is a world in which all children grow up in safe and loving families within supported communities.

Founded in 2005 by author J.K. Rowling, Lumos partners with governments, civil society and young people with lived experience to transform care systems globally and advocate for family-based solutions that help children thrive. We ensure that families receive the support they need to stay together or reunite, and that children grow up in family-based settings such as foster or kinship care, not institutions.

Despite clear evidence of the harms of institutionalisation, more than five million children worldwide continue to live in institutions. And a much larger number of children are at risk of family breakdown and separation – those living in poverty, experiencing domestic violence and abuse, and living in countries affected by conflict.

We are ambitious for children’s safety. In the next ten years, Lumos will enable 500K children in care to return to family-based care, while preventing ten million more children from experiencing family breakdown and separation – so that they can thrive in their own families. Working with local, national, and global partners, Lumos supports government-led transformation of childcare systems across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America- driving systemic and sustainable change.

Lumos’ ambition for children is significant and will require the organisation and its partners to work in new ways – with a pace, drive and urgency that this moment demands – and that children everywhere deserve.

Lumos’ success will continue to be based not just on what we do, but on how we do it – our values. We embrace collaboration. We strive for excellence. We show respect. We always care. And we are passionate. We are Lumos.

Purpose of role

We are looking for an exceptional programme leader to help us achieve our ten-year ambition. The Director of Programme Delivery leads Lumos' global programme portfolio, ensuring the organisation delivers high-quality and impactful programmes that contribute to sustainable systems change for children and families. The role is responsible for translating organisational strategy into effective delivery, strengthening programme quality and performance, and supporting Country Directors in achieving measurable results.

The postholder will also lead the continued evolution of Lumos' programme delivery model, strengthening localisation and national leadership, building organisational learning and evidence, and developing innovative approaches that extend Lumos' impact and influence beyond traditional country office structures. 

Reporting to the Chief Programmes and Advocacy Officer, the role provides strategic and operational leadership across Lumos' global programme portfolio.

Primary responsibilities

The job holder will have the following key responsibilities: 

Deliver a high-performing global programme portfolio

• Lead the continued translation of Lumos’ Ten-Year Ambition into clear programme and country priorities, plans, budgets and delivery approaches.
• Lead the global programme portfolio, ensuring high-quality implementation, measurable results and clear accountability for performance, financial stewardship and donor commitments.
• Maintain clear oversight of performance, organisational health and risk, and ensure ambition is matched by the people, as well as the funding and organisational capacity required to deliver it.

Continuing to strengthen our country leadership

• Lead, coach and develop Lumos’ Country Directors, strengthening national leadership and building clear accountability for programme, financial, people and organisational performance.
• Help country teams evolve into influential national and regional centres of expertise in care reform and systems change.
• Develop pathways towards greater national ownership, autonomy and localisation, while strengthening collaboration and learning across countries and regions.

Evolve how Lumos delivers impact at scale

• Lead the continued evolution of Lumos’ programme delivery model, turning strategic ambition into practical approaches, clear accountabilities and effective ways of working.
• Develop models combining sustained country engagement, nationally led partnerships and other approaches capable of supporting sustainable systems reform.
• Help Lumos increase its impact and geographical reach without relying solely on establishing traditional country-office structures.

Make evidence central to how we work

• Hold senior accountability for programme quality, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning across the global portfolio.
• Continue to strengthen Lumos’ ability to demonstrate system-level change, using credible evidence and data to understand what works and how successful approaches can be adapted or scaled.
• Ensure evidence and learning from delivery, inform programme strategy, advocacy, partnerships, fundraising and future investment.

Lead across the organisation and beyond

• Work closely with Finance, People & Operations, Safeguarding, Safety & Security and other specialist functions to ensure programmes are effectively supported, responsibly managed and delivered safely.
• Champion meaningful participation and leadership of children, young people and people with lived experience across programme design, delivery and learning.
• Act as a senior organisational leader and member of the Executive Team, working closely with the Chief Programmes and Advocacy Officer, representing Lumos with governments, partners and funders, and contributing programme and country perspectives to wider organisational decisions.

What success looks like

• Exceptional delivery - a high-quality global portfolio delivering measurable results with strong financial, organisational and donor accountability.
• Strong country leadership - confident and accountable Country Directors with the authority, capability and support to lead effectively.
• A delivery model built for scale – stronger, locally led approaches and new ways of working that enable greater impact and geographical reach.
• Countries as centres of expertise - national teams increasingly leading systems change, generating evidence and sharing expertise across regions.
• Evidence that drives impact - credible learning about what works, informing programme improvement, influence, investment and future growth.

Profile

The following offers an aspirational view of our ideal candidate profile; however, we encourage applications from candidates with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented groups. 

Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience within an international organisation.
• Experience overseeing complex multi-country programmes.
• Experience leading senior programme or country leaders.
• Experience translating strategy into delivery and measurable results.
• Experience managing donor-funded programmes, grants and significant budgets.
• Experience leading programme or organisational change.
• Experience operating in international development, humanitarian or related sectors.
• Experience overseeing programmes delivered through different organisational and partnership models desired.
• Experience managing major institutional grants, such as those funded by government or multilateral donors desired.
• Experience supporting localisation or the transition of country operations towards greater national leadership and ownership desired.
• Experience coaching senior leaders desired.

Skills and qualifications

• Expert knowledge of programme management and programme delivery.
• Strong understanding of programme cycle management, including financial management, risk management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Knowledge of donor-funded programme management, compliance and reporting.
• Ability to provide strategic leadership while maintaining strong operational oversight and accountability.
• Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills.
• Knowledge of systems change and approaches to achieving sustainable impact at scale desired.
• Understanding of different international delivery models, including country offices, national organisations and programmes co-created with local partners desired.
• Knowledge of the international funding environment and major institutional donor requirements desired.
• Understanding of children’s rights, care reform or a related field desired.

Personal traits desired

• Strategic thinker with strong delivery focus.
• Collaborative and empowering leadership style.
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills.
• Credibility and authority to influence and direct senior leaders.
• Emotionally intelligent and able to build relationships.
• Commitment to Lumos' mission and values.
• Curious and open to testing new delivery models and ways of working desired.

Additional Information

Alongside the opportunity to contribute to a truly life-changing mission, you’ll enjoy excellent benefits, a supportive and inclusive culture, and a genuine commitment to your personal and professional development. Some of the benefits we offer include

• 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays. 
• Enhanced family-friendly leave (maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental) and enhanced sick pay. 
• Hybrid and flexible working. 
• Competitive employer pension scheme. 
• Learning and development opportunities. 
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for confidential wellbeing support and advice. 

Safeguarding Statement

Lumos is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk and expects all staff, associates and volunteers to uphold our safeguarding and PSEA standards. We have zero tolerance for abuse, bullying, harassment and sexual exploitation, and all appointments are subject to appropriate screening, checks and references.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Lumos is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to creating a workplace where everyone is valued, respected and able to contribute. We celebrate the diversity of our global teams and are committed to challenging discrimination and promoting inclusion in everything we do.

Our Values

• We embrace collaboration. 
• We strive for excellence.
• We show respect.
• We always care.
• We are passionate.

To apply for this role, please submit a copy of your CV/resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and how you fulfil the requirements set out in the job announcement Please ensure you send your CV and Cover letter in the following format: full_name_CV_org_name_role and full_name_role_CL.

Please note: to ensure the security of your application and to ensure that your data complies with GDPR, applications via email will not be accepted.

·The deadline for applications is Monday 12th October, 9:00 am CET ·

Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required, irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability, or sexual orientation.