Programme director for movement building jobs

Government, Multilateral and Climate Funding Manager

Permanent. Full Time. Hybrid working (minimum of 2 days in the office per week)

Location: This role can be based in any of our UK offices - Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, Warrington

Salary: £48,576 per year for Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Warrington. £53,549 per year for London (including London allowance)

About us

Christian Aid exists to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. We are a global movement of people, churches and local organisations who passionately champion dignity, equality and justice worldwide. We are the changemakers, the peacemakers, the mighty of heart.

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and recognise the value this brings in forming strong, creative and high performing teams. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, and from those with experience from outside of the voluntary sector. And no, you don’t have to be Christian to work here – we encourage people of all faiths and none to apply. We just ask that everyone lives out our values of dignity, equality, justice and love. We value a good work-life balance, so we’re open to part-time and flexible working. We also offer hybrid working for our office-based colleagues. 

About the role

Reporting in to the Partnership and Business Development Lead, the Government, Multilateral and Climate Funding Manager is responsible for driving sustained growth in income and impact outcomes by actively engaging and cultivating strong relationships with existing and new institutional and climate funding partners.

The role co-creates and leads bidding with MCCs and Global Programmes teams, securing multi-year, multi-million government, multilateral, and climate funding awards.

The post-holder will co-lead and deliver the government, multilateral and climate funding strategy, positioning Christian Aid and its partners to access and scale climate finance, including adaptation, resilience, loss and damage, and nature-based solutions funding.

The role ensures a strong long-term pipeline of funding opportunities, aligned to organisational priorities and climate justice commitments, maximising both income and programme impact.

Some of the main areas of responsibility for the Government, Multilateral and Climate Funding Manager include:

• Working with the Partnerships and Business Development Lead and Heads of Impact to implement an ambitious long-term strategic framework to enhance engagement and build strong partnerships with Government, Multilateral and Climate Funding Partners (including Global Climate Funds such as the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund, UN agencies, World Bank climate windows, Regional Development Banks, and bilateral donors including UK and devolved Governments, European and other Governments), setting clear objectives and key areas for collaboration, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and climate justice priorities.
• Acquire, develop and retain key Government, Multilateral and Climate Funder relationships and strategic partnerships by building a wide network of contacts across Government Departments, development finance institutions, and climate finance mechanisms, ensuring sustained engagement and strong positioning over time.
• Build and maintain a forward-looking, multi-year pipeline of institutional and climate funding opportunities, identifying emerging climate finance trends and positioning Christian Aid to access strategic funding, collaborating closely with CA Ireland and global teams to maximise funding growth.
• Oversee agreed Supplier Framework Agreements, including those linked to climate and environment programming, working with MCC Business Development Managers in taking forward pipeline opportunities.
• Collaborate across the Partnerships and Business Development Team and MCC BD Team on tenders and grants, leading bid preparation and ensuring alignment with funding requirements, including integration of climate considerations and compliance with donor requirements (e.g. climate rationale, safeguards, and reporting).
• Collaborate with Impact colleagues to onboard new programmes, including those funded through climate finance mechanisms, working with MCC Contracts and Portfolio Managers to ensure readiness for delivery and compliance requirements.
• Develop and proactively pitch new strategic Signature Programmes, including climate-focused and climate-integrated programmes, in agreement with Directors and MCCs.
• Strengthen internal capability by supporting colleagues to integrate climate considerations into programme design and funding approaches, sharing knowledge and best practice on climate funding requirements.
• Represent Christian Aid externally, strengthening organisational visibility and positioning within climate finance spaces.
• This level role may include line management responsibilities of an adviser level role.

Role Characteristics

• Permanent, income-generating role aligned to multi-year institutional and climate funding cycles
• Focus on sustained pipeline development and relationship management
• Requires long-term positioning with government, multilateral, and climate funders
• Builds and retains organisational expertise in complex and competitive funding mechanisms
• Critical to delivering predictable income growth and scaled programme impact

Strategic Context

This role is critical to ensuring Christian Aid can:

• Compete effectively in an increasingly climate-focused and competitive funding landscape
• Build and sustain high-value institutional and climate funding partnerships
• Access and scale climate finance as a core income stream
• Deliver long-term, impactful programmes aligned to climate justice priorities

The permanent nature of this role reflects the long-term horizon of institutional and climate funding, and the need for sustained engagement, expertise, and strategic positioning.

Integration with Senior Leadership

This role will be complemented by senior strategic oversight, ensuring strong alignment between operational delivery and high-level engagement with key funders, strengthening Christian Aid’s positioning, influence, and ability to secure large-scale funding opportunities.

About you

Who we are looking for:

Essential:

• Highly developed communication, networking, consulting and relationship-building skills, including but not limited to Government Departments, INGOs, NGOs and Private Sector and country missions
• Highly developed interpersonal skills at senior levels with advanced negotiation and conflict resolution
• Highly developed research skills for identifying strategic funding and partnership
• Highly developed organisational, planning, and prioritisation
• Substantial knowledge and experience of humanitarian programming and humanitarian donor funding modalities with UN, EU and bilateral donors and/or international climate funding architecture, Global Climate Funds, donor accreditation and management modalities
• Developed skills and experience in strategy development, decision-making, and managing high-pressure
• Substantial experience and a proven track record of securing multiple multi-million-pound
• Substantial experience with project design, as well as monitoring and evaluation
• Substantial experience in developing, writing, and budgeting technical grant and service contract bids, and strong excel and budgeting skills.
• Detailed understanding and knowledge of institutional donor programming and partnership models, especially with Governments and Multilateral donors.

Desirable:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Developed in synthesising complex information
• Demonstrable experience in line management and managing teams remotely and providing coaching support.
• Medium level proficiency in speaking and writing in French or Spanish
• Understanding in negotiating government grant and supplier contracts, including compliance agreements.

Further information

At Christian Aid we strive to be an inclusive and diverse employer and recognise the value that this brings in helping to build strong, creative and high performing teams.

We are actively encouraging racialised minorities, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, returning parents or carers who are re-entering work after a career break, people with caring responsibilities, people from low socioeconomic backgrounds, women, and older workers to apply. This is because these groups are under-represented within our teams, especially at senior level, and we recognise and value the contributions members of these groups make to strong, creative and high performing teams. 

We have a strong Christian ethos and we encourage applications from all faiths. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of and sympathy with Christian Aid’s faith identity. 

All successful candidates will require a DBS/police check appropriate to the role and location and a Counter Terrorism Sanction check as part of your clearance for commencing your role with us. We also participate in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.  In line with this Scheme, we will request information as part of the referencing process 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 their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

This role requires applicants to have the right to live and work in the country where this position is based and undertake the role that you have been offered. If you are successful and we make you an offer for the role, we will be required to conduct a right to work check on your immigration status in the UK. We will contact you regarding the documentation you will need to provide to evidence this. 

Lead a Movement Advancing Universal Energy Access

Chief Executive Officer - SolarAid

Location: UK - hybrid
Travel: c. 8-10 weeks per year (Africa programmes, partners, global forums)
Salary: ~£100k
Type: Full-time

About SolarAid

SolarAid is an ambitious international charity working to achieve a world where everyone has access to clean, renewable energy. With a strong track record of impact across sub-Saharan Africa, SolarAid has helped transform access to energy through solar solutions that improve lives, livelihoods and the environment.

Today, SolarAid is entering a pivotal new phase. Building on proven delivery models, the organisation is shifting towards systems change - scaling impact through partnerships, influencing markets, and shaping policy to accelerate universal energy access. Alongside this, SolarAid retains active operational programmes in countries such as Malawi and Zambia, ensuring deep, real-world insight informs its work.

This is a rare opportunity to lead an organisation with both credibility on the ground and growing influence at the highest levels.

What You Can Look Forward To

As CEO, you will lead SolarAid through an exciting transition - balancing external influence and internal leadership to unlock its next phase of impact.

You will:

• Shape and Deliver Strategy
  Bring clarity, focus and prioritisation to SolarAid's ambitions, ensuring resources are aligned to the highest-impact opportunities
• Drive Global Influence
  Act as SolarAid's primary ambassador, building credibility with governments, funders, multilaterals and partners
• Scale Impact Through Partnerships
  Expand and strengthen partnerships to deliver scalable, replicable models across sub-Saharan Africa

Why This Role Matters

• You will lead a mission that is fundamental to human development and climate progress
• SolarAid combines proven delivery with growing global influence
• You will have the opportunity to shape the future of energy access at scale

About You

SolarAid is seeking an experienced, credible and decisive leader - someone equally comfortable representing the organisation externally and leading it internally through change.

Skills and Experience

• Proven senior leadership experience (CEO, Executive Director or equivalent) within international development, social enterprise or a related field
• Experience of programme delivery in sub-Saharan Africa, with a deep understanding of operating contexts
• Demonstrable ability to build credibility and influence with governments, funders, and global partners
• Track record of leading organisations through complexity, change or transition
• Strong strategic judgement, with the ability to prioritise and align ambition with capacity

Highly Desirable:

• Relevant sector expertise - in energy access, climate, or adjacent sectors

Personal Attributes

• Decisive and empowering, able to lead with clarity and confidence
• Credible and articulate ambassador, with presence at senior levels
• Emotionally intelligent, able to build trust and stability in a mission-driven culture

Recruitment Timeline

To ensure equitable access to information and uphold SolarAid's commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the charity hosted a Q&A webinar in place of individual informal calls with the Chair/Outgoing CEO.

Application Deadline: 5pm, Monday 22nd June 2026

First Interviews: w/c 6th July 2026

Final Interviews: w/c 13th July

How to Apply

Charity People Ltd is acting as a recruitment agency advisor SolarAid on this appointment. Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV to Senior Appointments at Charity People and request a candidate pack in the first instance. For an informal conversation about the role or if you have further questions prior to applying, please contact Fabrice Yala or Tiku van Houtem at Charity People

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so we can help make the application process work for you.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

This role requires that you are resident and have the right to work in the UK.

About NEON  

NEON is a not-for-profit organisation that exists to help social justice movements win. We build capacity and infrastructure to accelerate the transition to a new economy. We work across a wide range of progressive issues including climate, housing, healthcare and migration. Across our three hubs (movement building, communications and operations) we support a network of over 1000 movement organisations working towards political and social justice in the UK. 

This role is anchored within NEON’s Comms Hub. Established 10 years ago, the Comms Hub is a powerful, effective, pillar of the UK’s progressive communications infrastructure. The Hub convenes, networks, and books progressive spokespeople into the media at scale (averaging 1,500-2,000 media bookings a year), produces clear, usable tested messaging guidance that cuts through, and trains comms professionals (around 500 people annually). Our team serves as a go-to resource for strategic comms advice and planning, and crisis-comms support for groups across the progressive movement. NEON’s Comms Hub is relied on by a wide-range of organisations: from grassroots campaigners to expert insiders.  The Comms Hub has five programmes, and Digital will be the sixth programme.

Read more about the structure of the Comms Hub here, before applying. 

Purpose of this role

The Head of Digital is an exciting new role at NEON. This role will be responsible for designing and running a flagship new digital programme, that will sit at the heart of NEON’s Communications Hub. The aim of the digital programme will be to help connect, strengthen and scale the UK’s progressive digital comms infrastructure. 

Right now, progressive movements are losing the "air game" to far-right voices who are effectively using podcasts, social media, new media platforms and smart, aggressive, experimental digital strategies to dominate and shape national debates. 

Working closely with our experienced Comms Hub team, and our trusted networks, this role is a unique opportunity to be part of building the digital comms networks, skills and strategies progressive movements need to take on the rising far right – and win. 

At NEON, that would mean: convening and co-ordinating communities of digital comms experts, creators, editors and strategists; designing and delivering effective targeted digital skills training that will build capacity and confidence; supporting our 24/7 spokesperson and media booking team by setting up effective clipping and distribution programmes; and identifying opportunities to collaborate with our partners to run high-impact reactive digital strategies that shift the conversation. 

What you’ll be doing: 

The successful candidate will play an active role in shaping the strategy and focus of this programme, as well as the sequencing of the roll out of key workstreams. However, this role is likely to be anchored around the following key responsibilities. In this role, you will: 

1. Lead the strategy development and delivery of the new digital comms programme, alongside the Co-Directors of the Comms Hub.

2. Set up and manage a supportive, reactive social media unit within our existing Spokesperson Network, with the support of our Media and Messaging teams. This unit will clip interviews and create original content for our established network of spokespeople, and help to secure bookings in new digital-first media outlets. 

3. Work closely with the whole Comms Hub team, to design and convene a powerful co-ordinated network of progressive creators and influencers. Built from our existing spokesperson pool, as well as new networks, members of this digital creator network will be individuals with the backing of social movements and the reach, potential and positioning to shape the national debate. Together with the Heads of Messaging, Training and Media, you will help to provide this network with hands-on training and strategy support, evidence-based messaging, and traditional and new media booking opportunities. 

4. Design and oversee a strategic, effective suite of digital training offers, designed to upskill influential progressive spokespeople, movements and groups, at scale. This will include shaping our existing training programmes, as well as designing and developing new offers. This could include: a half-day follow-up to our flagship 3-day spokesperson training, a one-day digital strategy training for comms teams within our networks, and shaping our bespoke, issue-specific and crisis-focused trainings to support groups dealing with online-hate or abuse. This workstream will be supported by our Head of Training, relevant Comms Hub team members and delivered with the support of external consultant trainers. 

5. Identify opportunities to trial and run effective digital ‘experiments’ with partners and movement groups within the Comms Hub. For example, this could look like collaborating with a network of migrants-rights groups to create co-ordinated digital content to push-back against a far-right attack at a moment of ‘whirlwind’. Or spotting an opportunity to work with the Head of Messaging to trial a new AI-driven platform to A/B test messaging in targeted ads during a movement campaign on wealth taxes. 

6. Set up a network of consultants to support and deliver the core programme workstreams including: freelance videographers, editors, digital strategists and trainers. 

7. Provide on-going 1:1 support to our spokespeople and allied organisations, particularly during moments of crisis and ‘whirl-wind’.

8. Provide regular insights to our partners on the digital trends shaping public opinion and national discourse. 

9. Play an active role in the wider Comms Hub strategy and day-to-day operations, including attending our weekly strategy meetings,  feeding into key messaging and narrative development projects, and supporting delivery across the hub. 

10. Oversee and the digital programme’s finances and budget on a month-to-month basis, and the programmes’ Fundraising Strategy, with the support of the Co-Directors of Comms and the Head of Fundraising. 

11. Play an active part in the wider NEON team, contributing to organisation-wide plans. 

Who you are: 

You will be someone with:

• 5–10 years’ experience in digital comms, including developing and deploying a strategy for multi-year multi-project programmes of work

• A track record of creating innovative, high-impact digital campaigns and content that push forward a progressive agenda

• Hands-on experience of creating shareable and persuasive video and digital content, campaigns and strategies that cut through, reache new audiences at scale, mobilise movements and persuade new audiences of progressive ideas

• A strong understanding of digital media, and a natural enthusiasm for tracking and responding to new trends in a fast-changing digital media landscape 

• Someone who enjoys piloting new approaches, experimenting with new techniques and quickly jumping on opportunities to tell compelling progressive stories online.

• Experience developing the tone, positioning and personal brand of an organisation, spokesperson or individual online.

• A strong understanding of the news agenda – you’ll enjoy being plugged in to how online conversations are changing, and be able to quickly jump on opportunities to tell a compelling alternative progressive story. 

• Experience collaborating with creators, influencers, and a range of partners to deliver creative, hard-hitting campaigns, grow reach, drive action and really change minds

• A strong understanding of different audience types, and experience adapting messaging and using digital testing methods to assess impact and improve performance.

• Experience designing and running effective, inclusive training for diverse groups of people, with the ability to help others land powerful, shareable content too.

• Politically aware and motivated by progressive causes, with a commitment to centring anti-oppression in your work and helping ensure people — especially those from marginalised backgrounds — stay safe online and get their voices heard.

• Excellent team-working and relationship-building skills, with experience building networks, making connections and working across differences.

• Experience of fundraising, including building and maintaining funder relationships and making a compelling case for projects to a range of stakeholders.

We know that people from certain backgrounds and identities are often excluded in progressive movements and we’re committed to doing what we can to correct this. 

So:

1. We particularly welcome applications from marginalised groups, especially people of colour and other ethnic minorities, people who identify as LGBTQIA, Disabled people and those who identify as working class or have done so in the past.

2. We know the work goes way beyond "diversity", it's about making the space inclusive too. So we are continuously working on that at NEON. So far this includes tangible things like a flexible work policy so people have genuine flexibility around where and when they work and a 28 hour week as standard; a gender-neutral parenting/leave policy, an anti-oppression strategy which is held at senior level given how important it is to the organisation. It also includes the day-to-day work of creating psychological safety for everyone at NEON and celebrating the wisdom of black, indigenous, queer, Disabled and other cultures in the way we work and behave

There are no formal education requirements for this role. As long as you can show us you have the skills we don’t mind where you got them from! Also important to us is your potential to learn and grow in the role so even if you don’t have 100% of the skills listed we want to hear from you.

Dates: 

Application deadline: 28th June  2026, 11.59pm

Interview dates: First round of interviews: 8th & 9th July 2026, second round of interviews: 14th July 2026

Please visit our website for more details and to apply.

Are you an organised, proactive Communications and Events Specialist who wants to use your skills to support a mission-driven organisation working to end violence against women and girls?

FORWARD is a leading African women-led organisation working to end violence against women and girls, including FGM, child marriage, domestic abuse, and faith-based abuse.

As the Communications and Events Officer, you will be working alongside the Executive Director & the Fundraising Manager. You will be self-motivated, proactive and passionate about increasing our influencing capacity to promote dignity, equality and wellbeing, while supporting FORWARD to live our approach to fundraising through trusts and foundations. You will identify new opportunities, write compelling proposals and drive ongoing engagement to increase our income. 

About the Role
The Communications and Events Officer will be responsible for communication working closely with the Executive Director & the Fundraising Manager to advance FORWARD’s mission by using communications as a tool for social change. This role will deliver FORWARD’s communication and events, working with colleagues to shape narratives to challenge harmful norms, and amplify the leadership and voices of African women and girls.

You will work across the organisation to develop powerful, ethical and impactful stories to help influence policy, engage donors and the public and mobilise supporters. You will be required to translate complex and sensitive issues into communications that are accessible, culturally competent and rooted in a survivor-centred approach. You will ensure FORWARD’s traditional and digital presence is maximised. The role will support campaigns and fundraising to build a sustainable base and help contribute to long-term systemic change.

We are looking for someone who:

· Is experienced in a communications role

· Is highly organised and able to manage multiple priorities

· Has excellent communication and writing skills

· Has strong understanding of communications as a tool for social change, movement building and advocacy

· Has experience managing social media channels and growing engagement across platforms

· Has experience supporting or coordinating events (online and in person), including logistics, promotion and post event reporting

· Is able to work independently and take initiative

· Shares our commitment to gender justice and the rights of African women and girls

Experience in the charity, voluntary, or social justice sector and experience using content management systems (CMS), email marketing tools, and analytics platforms with knowledge of UK policy and public discourse relating to VAWG, migration, racial justice or women’s rights would be an advantage.

Why work at FORWARD?
We are a values-driven organisation committed to equality, dignity, and wellbeing. We encourage creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning, and we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We offer flexible working, generous annual leave, a pension scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, and opportunities for training and professional development.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a separate supporting statement specific to this position by the application deadline below.

In your cover letter, please don’t repeat the information covered in your CV, but do include how you meet the job specifications and why you feel you’re the best person for this role. Your covering letter should include:

•  Why you would like to work for FORWARD?
•  Why this particular role interests you?

Please use the Job Description and Person Specification information in the application pack to detail your suitability. If you would like to submit your application in a different format, please get in touch and we can discuss how best to facilitate your request. CVs submitted on their own, without a supporting statement, will not be considered.

If this opportunity sounds exciting to you but your experience, skills or qualifications don’t match every requirement exactly, we would still encourage you to apply - you may just be the perfect fit.

FORWARD is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment. Applicants will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity. In order to help ensure that our policy is working well please complete an Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form and submit with your application.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of the role or the application process please get in touch and we would be delighted to discuss any queries you may have.

Application deadline:  9th July 2026

Interviews: Week commencing 27th July 2026