Director of Programme Development

Mary's Meals International

6d • Remote

About The Position

We are recruiting for a values-driven leader to join Mary’s Meals International (MMI), as Director of Programme Development. Reporting to our Chief Programmes Officer, you will lead the evolution of Mary’s Meals programmes globally, ensuring they are evidence-led, impactful and aligned with our strategic priorities. Working closely with colleagues across Programme Management, Programme Operations and country programmes, you will drive programme quality, innovation, learning and growth. You’ll oversee programme design, research, policy, impact measurement and organisational learning, turning insight into action across our global movement. As a key leader within Programmes, you'll help shape organisational strategy and support our ambition to reach more children with the life-changing promise of a daily meal in their place of education.

Requirements

• Strategic and influential leader with significant experience in international development.
• Proven track record of shaping organisational strategy, driving programme excellence and delivering change at scale.
• Experience leading programme development, design, quality improvement, learning and research functions in complex international contexts.
• Experience using evidence, insight and impact data to inform decision-making and maximise organisational impact.
• Substantial experience developing programme strategies, frameworks, policies and approaches.
• Experience with oversight of research, learning, monitoring, evaluation and impact measurement.
• Accomplished people leader with experience building and developing high-performing, multicultural teams.
• Skilled at leading through influence across diverse functions, cultures and geographies.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Confident engaging with senior leaders, partners, donors and external stakeholders to drive collaboration and achieve shared goals.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding within international development programmes.
• Genuine commitment to the vision, mission and values of Mary's Meals.
• Will be required to register with the Protected Vulnerable Group Scheme or local equivalent before undertaking your role.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development of Mary’s Meals programmes, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and global growth ambitions.
• Drive programme quality, innovation and learning across the global movement, using evidence and insight to maximise impact.
• Oversee programme frameworks, policies and country-level strategies, ensuring they translate into effective practice and support sustainable growth.
• Champion research, impact measurement and organisational learning, embedding evidence-based decision-making across programmes.
• Lead the development of innovation approaches, including piloting and gathering evidence to inform future direction.
• Represent Mary’s Meals with governments, partners and external stakeholders, strengthening relationships and promoting thought leadership within the international development sector.

Benefits

• 34 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time working patterns) including bank holidays, increasing by 1 day each completed calendar year, to a maximum of 39 days (+ option to buy another week)
• Flexible working
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Life assurance
• Medical insurance for candidates located in Kenya, Liberia, Malawi and Zambia
• Pension - depending on the location of the candidate. For international candidates - any pension contribution paid as part of salary will be subject to normal statutory deductions/ taxation

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed