[Hiring] Director of Programme Development @Mary's Meals International

Role Description

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.

• 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.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in international development.
• Proven track record of shaping organisational strategy, driving programme excellence and delivering change at scale.
• Experience in leading programme development, design, quality improvement, learning and research functions in complex international contexts.
• Substantial experience developing programme strategies, frameworks, policies and approaches.
• Experience in oversight of research, learning, monitoring, evaluation and impact measurement.
• Accomplished people leader with experience in 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.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding within international development programmes.
• Genuine commitment to the vision, mission and values of Mary's Meals.

Requirements

• Travel to countries where our programmes operate.
• Involvement in regulated work with children.
• Registration with the Protected Vulnerable Group Scheme or local equivalent before undertaking your role.

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.

Company Description

Mary's Meals is a global movement supported by people from all walks of life and from all faiths and none. We are focused on one goal: that every child receives a nutritious daily meal in a place of education. Today, more than 3 million children receive Mary's Meals in some of the world's poorest communities.

We are a values-driven organisation that believes in the innate goodness of people, respects the dignity of every human being and family life, and values good stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. In line with our values, we are fully committed to a culture of safeguarding.

Mary's Meals is committed to preventing any form of unwanted behaviour at work, and we expect all members of the Mary's Meals family to share this commitment and act in the best interests of the communities we serve. Our safer recruitment practices ensure that only those committed to our high standards join our movement.

We are happy for you to work remotely and flexibly, in a way that best supports your work-life balance. We have an office in Glasgow for those who would like to work from here occasionally or on a regular basis.

We believe in the innate goodness and dignity of every person. In line with this, Mary's Meals is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment. All applicants will be considered fairly and on merit, without discrimination of any kind.