Programme lead jobs

The Beyond Food Foundation is looking for an inspirational Food Engagement Lead.

Our programmes are built around the kitchen and dining table, you will work closely with our Head Training and Events Chef, CEO and Programme manager to craft sessions, workshops and experiences to leverage the power of food for changing lives.

A key role within the charity, the Food Engagement Lead will help the charity to deliver its strategic aims, being part of an exciting and dynamic team who change lives every day.  You will bring an in depth knowledge of nutrition, food science and eating for wellbeing to the table. Using this to deliver training and activities  which help people to engage with cooking,  fresh food and a healthier, happier lifestyle.

Training, workshop facilitation, dietician expereince or nutritional coaching skills or experience would be a major plus. 

£36,000/ 39,000 p/a   40 hrs P/W, between E6 Beckton and Central London locations

40hrs per week - Monday - Friday. 

28 Days annual leave + bank holidays.

Be at the heart of a pioneering £1m programme reshaping how primary care supports young people. As Programme Manager, you will lead delivery of a flagship three year Maudsley funded initiative across Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark, Croydon — and beyond.

This post offers an exceptional opportunity to join a small, ambitious charity driving innovation across primary care, youth work and mental health. Working in partnership with King’s College London’s CAMHS Digital Lab and local stakeholders across the four South London and Maudsley (SLaM) boroughs, you will shape and deliver a programme that reimagines adolescent health support.

The Programme Manager will oversee strategic development and delivery at The Well Centre Charity, which is leading the spread and scale of the Well Centre model. You will lead the design, mobilisation and implementation of this new, three year initiative — focused on co-producing new services, strengthening existing provision and embedding a more integrated, youth friendly approach to health and wellbeing.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day management of this £1m Maudsley funded programme

• Develop and oversee a clear mobilisation and delivery plan

• Identify and manage risks, track milestones and maintain programme momentum

• Liaise with partners and interest holders across Lambeth, Southwark, Croydon and Lewisham

• Report to funders and ensure delivery to time, quality and within budget

• Represent The Well Centre Charity externally, leading steering groups, workshops and engagement events

• Develop and lead a communications and engagement strategy

• Implement systems to monitor activity across all four boroughs

• Prepare briefings for the core team, programme steering group, funders and wider partners

• Build strategic relationships to support service transformation for young people

• Contribute to organisational operations including finance processes, reporting and information governance

About you

We’re looking for a thoughtful, curious and energetic manager who wants their work to make a real difference to young people’s lives. You will bring a positive, solutions-focused mindset and enjoy working in a small, collaborative and values-led team, where initiative and creativity matter more than hierarchy.

Essential criteria

• Educated to degree level in a relevant subject, or equivalent

• Demonstrable success in project management and delivery

• Strong interest in innovation and improvement within local services

• Passion for improving young people’s health outcomes

• Excellent organisational and time management skills

• Well-developed written communication and report writing skills

• Ability to chair meetings with clinicians and senior managers

• Confident delivering presentations and representing the programme with commissioners and providers

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively

Desirable

• Masters degree or experience to equivalent level

• Experience of change project delivery within health settings

• Experience working directly with commissioners

• Project management qualification

• Knowledge of primary care delivery and funding mechanisms

• Experience working with or alongside the voluntary sector

What we offer

• The chance to shape a pioneering programme improving adolescent health

• Supportive, collaborative, values-led environment

• Opportunities for publication, innovation and professional development

• Hybrid working and flexibility

• Autonomy to contribute creatively to an ambitious programme

Benefits

(Aligned with HHGP employment terms)

• Company pension

• Cycle to Work scheme

• On-site parking

• Sick pay

• Referral scheme

• Generous annual leave

• Supportive multidisciplinary environment

Job details

• Job type: Part time

• Hours: 30 per week

• Pay: £31,515.83 – £40,000 per year

• Location: Hybrid remote, with travel across Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark and Croydon (SW2 3UP)

Making The Leap seeks to appoint a dynamic Educational Partnerships Manager to play a pivotal role in securing, growing, and nurturing partnerships with schools across the UK. Reporting to the Head of Educational Partnerships, the successful candidate will drive engagement with schools, teachers, and senior leaders to expand the reach and impact of Making The Leap’s programmes. This role focuses on building strong, strategic relationships with education providers while maintaining links with community organisations, colleges, universities, and corporate partners to promote MTL’s services and mission.

Making The Leap is an innovative societal change charity that aims to make a big difference. From direct delivery, to advocacy and leadership, we believe passionately that those we exist to serve have the right to be anything they want to be. To say that this is an exciting time for the organisation would be an understatement, as our incredible funders, donors, partners and supporters have given us the chance to move to the next level, and have further influence and delivery nationally.

The ethos of the organisation is to be passionate about helping young people from less-advantaged backgrounds; build up other charities and community groups and want to partner with them or support them; want to work with businesses and organisations to get things done; and care deeply about addressing racial inequity.

The organisation has a number of strands: core Making The Leap; the UK Social Mobility Awards; the Social Mobility Podcast and The Social Mobility List.

The Beyond Food Foundation is looking for a Programmes assistant. 

Do you have the skills to support groups of young people and adults to achieve their full potential? 

Do you want to be part of helping to change people's lives?

We are looking for someone to support the delivery of our life changing programmes. 

Ideally you will have some experience in working with young people, vulnerable adults or assisting with education / training programmes. 

Our programmes are built around the kitchen and dining table, you will work closely with a Chef trainer and Food Engagement Lead to make the sessions run smoothly. An understanding of food or the hospitality industry is a bonus. 

£29,000 - 35,000 per annum, experience dependant -  40hrs per week -  Monday - Friday. 

The Foundry, E6 5NX and across London as required. 

28 Days annual leave + bank holidays

Saferworld is recruiting a Country Manager, Afghanistan to lead our Afghanistan programme and shape the strategic direction of our work in line with Saferworld’s 10-year organisational strategy.

The post-holder will provide strong leadership and be responsible for the strategic steer based in our organisational strategy and rooted in partners’ collective visions for their societies. They will lead on partnership relations, resourcing efforts, providing financial oversight, managing staff, and reporting to donors. They will represent Saferworld in interactions with relevant authorities, donors, and other stakeholders in Afghanistan, South Asia, and globally. The post-holder will engage in cross-organisational information-sharing and lesson-learning on policy and strategy issues, and develop written analysis linking experiences and learning in Afghanistan to global trends and platforms.

This programme operates in a complex context. In this environment, effective leadership requires that the post-holder centres partners voices and views in planning for and managing a range of expected and unexpected risks. The post-holder will contribute to organisation-wide strategic planning, processes and discussions to advance thematic and operational priorities, methodological approaches and organisational development. This will specifically require developing new ways of working to ensure impactful change, linking programmes across different contexts and regions.

About Chiva

Chiva works to ensure that children and young people living with HIV have the support and opportunities they need to live well and achieve their greatest potential. We believe they deserve to have their voices heard and taken seriously and place their experiences and views at the heart of everything we do.

Role Purpose

The National Programme Manager will lead the development and delivery of Chiva’s national participation and support programmes.

This includes embedding participation across the organisation, managing key programmes for children, young people and families, and ensuring the diverse voices of children, young people and young adults living with HIV are represented at all levels of service and policy development.

The role combines leadership of programme delivery, staff and volunteer supervision, training, stakeholder engagement and evaluation to ensure long-term impact and sustainability.

 Key Responsibilities

 Leadership

 ● Help develop and oversee the organisation’s participation and support programme strategies.

● Ensure participation is embedded across Chiva, with meaningful involvement of children, young people, and young adults.

● Represent the organisation at regional and national events, advocating for the voices and experiences of young people.

Programme Management 

● Oversee development, planning, and delivery of national programmes for children, young people and families.

● Contribute to managing programme budgets, ensuring financial accountability.

● Provide supervision, training and support to staff, associates, and volunteers.

● Ensure continuous programme development and improvement through co-design with young people.

Expectations of all Chiva Employees

● To uphold Chiva values:

- Acting with compassion

- Taking a holistic approach

- Being open and inclusive

- Developing trust and working with integrity

- Empowering people through a rights-led approach

● To be competent in fulfilling administration tasks relating to their role and willing to undertake any other duties required in fulfilling the objectives of Chiva that are appropriate to the role.

● To uphold Chiva’s Safeguarding, Data Protection, Confidentiality and Equality, Equity and Diversity Policies.

● To be a key member of the Chiva Staff team, taking part in team events, and contributing to the positive organisational culture.

At Chiva we believe that a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace is key to fostering innovation and growth. We are committed to building a team that reflects a wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all identities, including race, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

Experience

● Significant experience in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of youth / family support programmes at a national or regional level.

● Track record of programme management, including design, delivery, monitoring, and impact reporting.

● Experience of embedding youth participation in organisational strategy and service delivery.

● Experience of staff and volunteer management, including supervision, training, and performance support.

● Experience of working directly with children and young people from diverse backgrounds, with sensitivity to their needs, rights, and safeguarding requirements.

● Experience of working with budgets and ensuring financial accountability.

Skills

● Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, motivate and manage teams.

● Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

● Strong facilitation and training skills.

● Strong communication and advocacy skills, with the ability to represent young people’s voices at regional and national levels.

● Ability to build and maintain effective partnerships and relationships with a range of stakeholders.

● Commitment to equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion in programme delivery and organisational practice.

Desirable Criteria

● Experience of working within the HIV sector or with young people living with long-term health conditions.

● Knowledge of best practice approaches/policy focus on youth participation.

● Experience of designing or facilitating creative programmes for young people incorporating arts-based approaches.

● Relevant professional qualification (e.g. youth work, social work, or project management).

● Experience of implementing impact measurement and evaluation frameworks in youth programmes.

Additional Information

Chiva requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check, along with references.

How to apply
Please note that we are only able to accept applications submitted on our branded application form. We cannot accept CVs in respect of this post.

Deadline for applications: 9am on Monday 5th January 2026.

Interviews to take place on Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th January 2026.

Are you an experienced Conservation Manager who wants to support locally-led biodiversity conservation and make a difference for the most overlooked and threatened species in Southeast Asia?

If that sounds like you, we have an exciting role of Programme Manager (Maternity Cover) to join our team.

You will play a key part in managing and leading the Asian Species Programme, as well as having the opportunity to represent the organisation externally with a variety of stakeholders.

As a standout candidate you will show your strengths in forming strong, trusted relationships with partners, staff and other collaborators, as well as your deep understanding of environmental science and biodiversity conservation.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU USE AI IN YOUR APPLICATION, YOU ARE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO BE SHORTLISTED. WE WANT TO SEE YOUR UNIQUE, BRILLIANT SELF. We do not use AI in any part of our recruitment process.

Closing date: 5th January 2026 10am

First stage interviews (Zoom):  12 – 14 January 2026

Skills assessment (undertaken at home): 15 – 16 January 2026

Second stage interviews (at our office in-person): 21 – 22 January 2026

Synchronicity Earth’s mission is clear: We bring conservation to life through our work, championing effective approaches and increasing funding for Earth’s overlooked species and ecosystems and the communities working to protect them. By joining, you're not just taking part; you're weaving your own story into a future that's brighter and sustainable for all.

We welcome candidates who may have taken a career break. Your unique experiences and fresh perspective will only enhance our team's diversity and strengthen our ability to tackle the complex challenges facing our planet. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds for this role, and are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements.

Candidates from Black, Asian, and Minority-Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds and people with disabilities who meet the criteria (in the section of the job description headed ‘What you will bring to the team’) and opt-in to our Guaranteed Interview Scheme will enter the first recruitment stage, see more information below.

Application and Recruitment Process

Inclusion is a priority throughout our workplace culture and is embedded in our recruitment process. To support this, the first stage of recruitment will be anonymised by Charity Job to mitigate against unconscious bias. Please let us know at any stage during the recruitment process if you have any accessibility requirements and we will do what we can to accommodate these for you. Please also let us know which pronouns you would like to be referred by, if you wish.

How to apply:

· Complete the application questions, upload your CV, and submit your application through Charity Job.

· Fill in our candidate survey. Whilst this survey is optional it is the way to opt in to the Guaranteed Interview Scheme (information below) if you would like.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

We recognise that people from Black, Asian, and Minority-Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds and people with disabilities are under-represented in our sector, and that there are often additional barriers present for people from these groups when applying for roles in the charity sector and beyond.

As part of our commitment to attract and retain talented individuals from under-represented groups to the conservation and environment sector, if you belong to these groups, you can opt in to the Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) in our candidate survey. If you meet the essential criteria for a role, you'll be guaranteed a first-stage assessment. The results of this assessment will be used to select candidates for the first-stage interview.

Location: Remote globally

Closing date for Sourcing: 31 December 2025

Contract status: Global post, full-time

Start date: As soon as possible

Contract duration: Permanent

Remuneration: Competitive

Salary Band: A1 

We rebuild tropical fisheries with coastal communities

Blue Ventures is a marine conservation organization that puts people first. We support coastal fishers in remote and rural communities to rebuild fisheries, restore ocean life and build lasting pathways to prosperity. Our work began two decades ago in Madagascar’s remote coastal communities and is growing globally.

Across a dozen countries, we’re partnering with traditional fishers and community organizations to design, scale, strengthen and sustain fisheries management and conservation at the community level. We bring partners together in networks to advocate for reform, and share tools and best practices to support fishing communities across the globe. 

Summary job description

As the Director of Programme Performance, you will be pivotal in leading a team responsible for the design, implementation, and management of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems. Your leadership will be critical in developing performance indicators and data pipelines that inform organisational and programmatic key results, guide data-driven decision-making, and deliver meaningful impact assessments.

The Director of Programme Performance will ensure the effective development of culturally relevant, community-centric performance indicators and alignment with donor requirements. They will collaborate closely with the Data Science and Technical Knowledge teams to design and refine performance indicators, implement monitoring frameworks, and develop data flows that align with Blue Ventures’ strategic goals.

This role also includes overseeing the integration of community feedback, fostering continuous learning, and ensuring that programmatic data informs adaptive management.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced leader with a strong background in marine conservation, socioeconomics, and MEL systems and experience working with small-scale fishing communities in diverse geographical contexts. This role will report to the Chief Technical Officer.

We want a world where no one dies from hunger. Life-threatening hunger is predictable, preventable and treatable. Join Action Against Hunger and together we will stop it in its tracks.

Action Against Hunger is an optimistic, inspiring place to work. We want passionate and dedicated people to help build a better world. We’re a creative team made up of people with a wide range of talents, styles and expertise. But we are united in our relentless dedication to end world hunger. No challenge is too big. With you we can do it. Join us.

In this role you’ll help the Action Against Hunger International Network to access, secure and manage institutional funding from UK donors. You won’t be alone; you’ll support the Head of Programme Funding and manage members of the programme funding team.

You’ll play a key role in helping Action Against Hunger to achieve our vision of a world free from hunger by maintaining the funding from key UK institutional donors and making sure we deliver high quality programmes. You’ll be in the exciting and important position of working with country, regional and global funds, and collaborating with colleagues both inside the international network and beyond. You’ll help raise Action Against Hunger’s profile and engagement with the UK Government and UK sector to inform, influence and collaborate on all areas of our work.   

You’ll work closely with our Network HQs and country teams to develop opportunities, increase the number and value of new grants and contracts, and ensure effective delivery. But you’ll also be a key person in engaging with institutional funders too. So how will you do this? You will work at an operational, tactical, and strategic level – making the most of the links between funders strategies and the Action Against Hunger’s network own strategy and trends we observe. You’ll be proactive, bring a fresh perspective and innovative ideas, and bring a positive, ‘can do’ attitude.

We would love to hear from you if you’re interested in joining us. For more detailed information on the role – and to see whether you have the necessary experience - please download the attached pdf Job description.

Closing Date: 29-Dec-2025 23:30

Planned date to begin interviews: 14th January 2026.

Please read the following carefully before making your application: then all you need to do is send your CV and write a supporting statement explaining why you want the job and how your skills and experience make you the right person for the role and where you saw this vacancy.

• As a UK based position, candidates must have the right to work in the UK
• We welcome applications from all sections of the community and we encourage as broad a range of candidates as possible. If you need any additional support to help you through this process, please let us know (contact details in the job pack)
• Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we will only contact shortlisted candidates, within two weeks of the closing date Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual feedback
• If you experience any technical difficulties in submitting your application, please contact the charityjob helpdesk

The Paul Hamlyn Foundation (PHF) is one of the UK’s largest independent grant-making foundations. We use our resources to support social change, working towards a just and equitable society in which everyone, especially young people, can realise their full potential and lead fulfilling, creative lives.

Contract: Fixed-term contract – 18 months
Hours: Full-time post, 35 hours per week
Salary: c. £54,000 per annum
Location: London / Hybrid (40% of time in our central London offices)

Role Overview

We are seeking a mission-driven senior leader to shape and deliver our work supporting young people across the UK.

As Head of Programme – Young People, you will shape and drive the Foundation’s grant-making strategy in support of young people, ensuring our funding delivers systemic change and champions youth-led approaches. You will lead the Youth Fund and related initiatives, setting direction, overseeing grant-making, and influencing practice across the youth sector.

As Head of Programme – Young People, you will lead the strategic development, direction and delivery of the Foundation’s Youth Fund and related initiatives. You will oversee grant-making, champion youth-led practice, and influence sector-wide learning and collaboration.

Reporting to the Director of Grants, you will have direct responsibility for a high-performing team composed of two Grants Managers and one Grants Assistant. You will oversee the strategic development and delivery of the Youth Fund and Follow-on Fund, ensuring alignment with the Foundation’s priorities and best practices in youth-focused grant-making.

You will work closely with funded organisations, trustees, advisors, and sector partners to strengthen their impact, embed learning, and ensure our funding supports long-term systemic change.

About You

We’re looking for a strategic, values-led leader with:

• Significant experience in the youth, charity or civil society sector, with a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing young people.
• Deep knowledge of youth policy and practice, and the ability to translate that insight into impactful funding and support for organisations.
• Proven expertise in grant-making, including assessment, due diligence, monitoring and learning.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, able to develop and motivate teams and foster a collaborative, inclusive culture.
• A track record of working in partnership with funded organisations and sector stakeholders to drive meaningful change.

 
Job Description

Job Title:Catchment Partnership Programme Manager

Salary: £42,546 - £48,846 (Manager Band B, Manager Band C,)

Contract length: Permanent, Full time.   

Location:Hybrid, flexible, based at Thames21 office in Guildhall and/ or Bromley by Bow

Responsible to: Head of Improving Rivers

Responsible for: Catchment Partnership Officers and Roding Rises Project Manager

About Thames21

Thames21 is an environmental charity that works across London and the Thames Basin to deliver high-impact, nature-based solutions to the climate and biodiversity crisis by restoring rivers, while also connecting communities to their local green-blue spaces and inspiring long-term stewardship of them. 

Diversity at Thames21

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Thames21 is key to our success and as such we employ staff from a diverse range of backgrounds, this we feel is key in ensuring that everybody has an equal opportunity and is not treated differently or discriminated against because of their characteristics. We value the voices of our individual employees, and we strive to work in a collaborative, innovative balanced way. The postholder must actively support this.

Purpose of the job

Thames21 is seeking an energetic, experienced and committed person to lead our team of Catchment Partnership hosts. This role will involve overseeing the development of our portfolio of 10 hosted and co-hosted Catchment Partnerships across a diverse landscape of urban and rural river catchments spanning London and the wider Thames Basin.

Each partnership is unique, and we pride ourselves in developing each according to the local partners’ vision and as is appropriate for the character of the area and river. Our primary aim is to deliver the Catchment Based Approach and tangible on-the-ground improvements that achieve clean, healthy rivers which deliver social benefits for our communities.

The successful candidate will have operational experience at catchment level as well as management experience. The candidate will take a strategic overview of all catchment partnerships and guide our team of Catchment Partnership hosts and officers, enabling the enhanced delivery of the four priority themes: –

Stakeholder and community engagement as part of active, delivery focused partnerships.
Project identification and development to support delivery of catchment plans, sub-catchment plans and Thames21’s 5-year plan.
Successful fundraising for delivery of river catchment improvement projects.
Knowledge sharing, to bring people together in a way of working that is inclusive, collaborative, cross boundary and catchment wide.

Finally, the role will take a lead in ensuring the Thames21 Catchment Officer/host role is resiliently funded by working closely with partner organisations to increase investment in catchment partnerships to deliver healthy rivers and catchments.

Key responsibilities

· Work with Thames21’s Catchment Partnership Officers/hosts to develop their Catchment Partnership networks and ensure each is delivering against clear catchment and sub catchment action plans.

· Lead on the administration and reporting of Catchment Partnerships programme and line management of the Catchment Partnership team.

· Oversee the management of the Catchment Partnership Team budget, working proactively to identify and fill any funding shortfalls.

· In partnership with the Head of Improving Rivers and Catchment Partnerships Officers, develop each catchment partnerships value to partner organisations with a view to them investing in the catchment partnership host role.

· Support Thames21’s strategic work with external stakeholders through working alongside the Chief Executive Officer to administer the River Partnerships in London (RiPL) group.

· Work closely with Environment Agency catchment coordinators to develop multi-year strategic approaches to delivering national Water Environment Improvement objectives and National Success Measures for Catchment Partnerships.

· Help Catchment Partnership Officers identify, develop and raise funding for river catchment improvement projects, taking a leading role in strategic technical funding bids and working closely with the Heads of Improving Rivers and Fundraising team.

· Contribute to the strategic direction of Thames21 Improving Rivers Team and long-term. sustainability of the organisation.

· Arrange, host and coordinate Catchment Partnership Meetings including production of agendas, minutes and actions.

· Oversee the delivery of strategic projects.

This job description cannot cover every issue or task that may arise within the post at various times and the post-holder will be expected to carry out other reasonable duties from time to time which are broadly consistent with other Thames21 activities and those in this document.

This role has been reopened and the closing date role has now been extended to 5pm Friday 2nd January 2026

Interviews are expected to take place on the weeks of 12th and 19th January 2026, but this is subject to change. 

Location: HMP Wymott
Department: Prison delivery
Salary: £11,310 per annum
Hours: 14 hours (2 days a week)
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
 
Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy levels amongst people in prison?
 
Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) to provide peer-led learning programmes at HMP Wymott. Working closely with the prison and their staff, people in prison, Shannon Trust volunteers and mentors, this post will lead the delivery and development of our prison-based reading and numeracy programme, maximising opportunities for people in prison to learn to read.
 
Ideally you will have some experience of prison settings underpinned by the ability to build relationships and personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach.
 
This role is a fixed term role until 31st December 2026 with the opportunity to be made permanent subject to contract renewal.
 
The role will be prison-based. Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.
 
?We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions. These roles do require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.
 
Please note this role is subject to contract award
?Interviews are planned 22nd January 2026
 
Benefits: Standard Shannon Trust: Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme.
 
REF-225 712

What you’ll do

- Delivery (Local)

• Lead inspiring, safe, hands-on farm visits for children across Leicestershire.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with local farmers and schools.
• Tailor experiences that spark curiosity and help children connect with food, farming, and the natural world.

- Programme Support (National)

• Support the smooth running of the national Farm Discovery programme.
• Manage data, budgets, and reports to ensure high-quality, consistent delivery.
• Help refine systems, support meetings and recruitment, and contribute to programme monitoring and development.

About you

You’ll be a confident educator and communicator who:

• Loves engaging children through outdoor and food-based learning.
• Is highly organised, detail-driven, and comfortable managing programme information.
• Builds strong relationships with teachers, farmers, and colleagues.
• Is proactive, solution-focused, and committed to inclusion and safety.

About The Country Trust

For over 40 years, The Country Trust has helped tens of thousands of children experience the countryside first-hand. As part of our warm, supportive national team, you’ll play a key role in shaping transformative learning, both in Leicestershire and across England and North Wales.

Deadline: Midnight, Sunday 4th January.

Programme Support & Knowledge Director

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

Location: The role can be based in the London, United Kingdom, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana and Rwanda, subject to right to work eligibility in the respective countries.

UK hybrid working – a minimum of 40 % of working time is spent face-to-face (London office, external meetings or travel). 60/40 hybrid working at WaterAid means roughly three days wherever you work best and two days together in person.

Salary: Salaries and benefits will vary in line with the location of the successful candidate and depending on experience.

UK: £75,916 - £79,912 per year with excellent benefits.

Ethiopia: ETB 13544181 - 19864798.8 per year with excellent benefits.

Tanzania: TZS 217215222.3 - 304101311.22 per year with excellent benefits.

Nigeria: NGN 81860262.3 - 106418340.99 per year with excellent benefits.

Ghana: GHS 1200723 - 1681013 per year with excellent benefits.

Rwanda: RWF 95234280.3 - 133327992.42 per year with excellent benefits. 

Salaries and benefits for other countries will vary in line with the location of the successful candidate and depending on experience.

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the team

The Programme Support & Knowledge (PSK) team is a critical and dynamic unit within WaterAid UK’s International Programmes Department (IPD), working across 17 countries in Africa and Asia. PSK is a diverse and motivated group of over 20 technical specialists and advisors committed to bringing sustainable WASH to the world’s poorest and most marginalised people.

About the role

As our Programme Support and Knowledge Director, you will play a key role in delivering our mission by providing strategic leadership to the PSK team and the wider IPD, as part of the department’s SMT. You will also input into organisation-wide initiatives, external collaborations and global networks to drive sustainable change.

In this role, you will:

• Provide strategic and technical leadership to WaterAid UK’s programmes
• Lead the Programme Support & Knowledge Team
• Lead programme learning and knowledge management
• Oversee programme support and capacity development
• Support fundraising, external engagement, partnerships and communications
• Champion WaterAid’s commitment to equity, inclusion and safeguarding.

Requirements

To be successful, you will need:

• Extensive and deep experience in WASH development across multiple contexts
• Strong technical WASH skills – e.g. sustainable rural and /or urban water supply service delivery and management, climate resilient WASH, 
• Systems-thinking capability to support transformational WASH programming
• Proven ability to lead strategic, impactful initiatives in large organisations
• Strong understanding of planning, monitoring and evaluation in development
• Experience in knowledge management, learning and capacity development
• Proven experience of developing propositions and donor engagement and
• A track record of leading high-performing teams and supporting change

Although not essential, we’d prefer you to have:

• Working knowledge of French, Portuguese or Spanish
• Experience leading or managing applied research
• Experience establishing and promoting technical standards.

Closing date: Applications close 12:00 PM UK time on December 21st 2025. Interviews may be scheduled on a rolling basis, and the role may close earlier if a suitable candidate is found.

How to apply: Click Apply to complete the pre-screening questions and upload your CV and cover letter.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?

At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre‑employment screening

To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy. All UK based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Benefits

As a global organisation, WaterAid is committed to creating an environment where you can thrive and be yourself at your very best. Alongside our inspiring mission and meaningful work, we offer a range of benefits tailored to each country’s context and policies. These will be shared during the process

Our Global Commitment:

Our people promise

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.

Safeguarding

We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).

Together, we’ll change the world through water.

Join us and be part of the change !