Director of Programme Development

Director of Programme Development

Mary’s Meals serves nutritious school meals to children living in some of the world’s poorest communities. The promise of a meal attracts these hungry children into the classroom, giving them the energy to learn and hope for a better future.

Mary's Meals International (MMI) is recruiting for a values-driven leader to join as Director of Programme Development. Reporting to the Chief Programmes Officer, you will provide strategic, visionary leadership for global school feeding programmes and help shape the future of how we serve children around the world. You will drive the continued evolution of the programme strategy and policies, drive innovation and excellence, and guide global teams towards delivering maximum impact for the children we serve.

We are happy for you to work remotely and flexibly, in a way that best supports your work life balance. There is also an office near Glasgow city centre for those who live nearby and would like to work from here occasionally or on a regular basis.

This role will undertake regular travel to countries where our programmes operate, up to 10 weeks per year and will involve regulated work with children. You will be required to register with the Protected Vulnerable Group Scheme or local equivalent before undertaking your role.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Lead the design and delivery of Mary's Meals International's programme development strategy, ensuring alignment with Mary’s Meals’ mission and organisational goals.
• Drive improvements in quality, effectiveness, and impact through innovation, evidence-based learning, and strategic partnerships.
• Provide inspirational leadership to Country Directors and the Programme Development team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and empowerment.
• Build strong external relationships with governments, multilateral bodies, research institutions, and sector networks.
• Embed safeguarding standards and best practices across all programme design and delivery.
• Represent Mary’s Meals externally, as a key member of programmes team and the wider Mary’s Meals network.

About you:

• An exceptional leader with a deep commitment to Mary’s Meals’ vision, mission, and values, and significant strategic leadership experience in international development.
• You will have a proven track record of delivering transformational change across global programmes, along with expertise in research, evaluation, and policy influencing in humanitarian or development contexts.
• Skilled at coaching and inspiring senior leaders and diverse international teams, you bring excellent relationship-building, communication, and strategic influencing abilities, as well as cultural sensitivity and experience of working across different geographies and contexts.
• Experience of working with governments, particularly in strategic advocacy, policy development or school feeding initiatives, would be beneficial but not essential.

Please see the job description below for full list of duties, requirements and further information.