Programme Lead

Programme Lead

We are seeking a Programme Lead to help shape and deliver impactful sustainability programmes across global tea supply chains.

Working for a charity on a mission to create a fairer, more sustainable tea industry, looking for a Programme Lead who can bring together people, partnerships, and programmes to make that happen. As part of a collaborative and global team, you’ll play a critical role in delivering high-quality development work at scale.

Position: Programme Lead
Location: E2, near Bethnal Green (London). Hybrid, minimum 3 days in the office
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full-time), Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £45,000 to £50,000 per annum, depending on experience + company benefits
 

Closing date: 15th of June

About the role:
As Programme Lead, you’ll oversee the quality and delivery of impactful programmes across tea-growing regions in Africa and Asia. Supporting country teams, technical specialists, and donors, you’ll guide project design, lead on donor compliance, and help manage partnerships and reporting. You’ll also play a key role in supporting funding proposals, shaping learning processes, and strengthening systems and tools for consistent delivery.

This is an exciting opportunity to work across multiple themes, from economic empowerment and gender equity to climate resilience and responsible sourcing.

Key responsibilities include:

• Support programme inception and quality assurance across global projects
• Guide compliance and donor requirements, including GIZ, EU and institutional funders
• Lead on programmatic content for funding proposals and donor pitches
• Strengthen systems and tools for programme and grant management
• Support project learning, MEL frameworks, and cross-country collaboration
• Build strong partnerships with global member network and funders
• Coordinate with technical leads, finance, and communications to deliver joined-up results
• Champion shared learning and ensure insights feed into future programme design

About you:

• At least 5 years’ experience delivering or managing international development programme
• Experience working on sustainability challenges such as livelihoods, environment, or gender equality
• Skilled in donor grant management, compliance, budgeting, and reporting
• Experience leading learning processes and supporting MEL systems
• Strong project management, analytical, and communication skills
• Familiar with agricultural supply chains or corporate responsibility is a plus
• Comfortable working in multi-stakeholder settings with public and private sector actors
• Able to manage priorities, work cross-functionally, and support globally dispersed teams
• Willingness to travel internationally as needed

Desirable:

• Postgraduate degree or training in international development, agriculture, sustainability, or related field
• Experience in the tea sector or working directly in tea-producing regions
• Experience managing consultants or junior team members

About the organisation:
Founded in 1997, this not-for-profit membership organisation with 38 diverse members, collaborates with members and third-party grantors to implement impactful, long-term programs in tea-producing countries, improving the lives of farmers, workers, and communities.  

The projects address critical issues in the tea supply chain, including poverty, gender-based violence, human rights violations, deforestation, and inadequate access to services. By partnering with corporate members, funders, and local implementers, they deliver tailored interventions and drive responsible business practices. Leveraging their unique position, they bring together the right stakeholders to tackle key challenges with actionable solutions.

You may also have experience in roles such as: Programme Manager, Global Programmes Lead, International Development Advisor, Senior Project Manager, Funded Projects Lead, Sustainability Programmes Coordinator, Grant Manager, or Strategic Partnerships Officer.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.