International Programmes Manager - Lifesaving Expertise

Royal National Lifeboat Ins titution (RNLI); Poole; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

26 days annual leave plus Bank Holiday

Competitive pension

Life assurance

Health cashplan

Job summary

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is seeking an International Programmes Manager - Lifesaving Expertise to support international drowning prevention initiatives. You will design, deliver and evaluate capacity-building activities while managing partnerships and ensuring measurable impact aligned with RNLI objectives.

The role requires cultural sensitivity, strong facilitation and communication skills, and regular overseas travel.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of drowning prevention, water safety, search and rescue, or a related field.
• Strong facilitation, coaching and presentation skills.
• Ability to work across cultures and contexts.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to influence diverse audiences.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, proactive delivery.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and project management support to international drowning prevention programmes.
• Design, deliver and evaluate capacity-strengthening initiatives.
• Manage relationships with international partners and provide technical advice.
• Support organisational learning and ensure programmes deliver measurable impact.
• Travel regularly to deliver and monitor international work.

Skills

Drowning prevention

Water safety

Search & rescue

Emergency response

Facilitation

Coaching

Presentation skills

Cross-cultural

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Influence audiences

Organisational skills

Problem-solving

Delivery

Job description

As an International Programmes Manager - Lifesaving Expertise, you will provide technical and project management support to the RNLI's international drowning prevention programmes. Working closely with colleagues and partners, you will design, deliver and evaluate capacity-strengthening initiatives that support organisations in low-resource settings to prevent drowning, improve rescue outcomes and shape sustainable lifesaving frameworks. You will be responsible for managing relationships with international partners, providing technical advice, supporting organisational learning, and ensuring programmes deliver measurable impact aligned to the RNLI's strategic objectives.

As an International Programmes Manager - Lifesaving Expertise, you will be passionate, motivated and have a positive outlook when working with people from different backgrounds and cultures. You will want to be part of a work environment that offers a variety of different challenges and opportunities, and you will be someone who can work both on their own and as part of a team to produce positive outcomes. To be considered as an International Programmes Manager - Lifesaving Expertise you will need to have:

• Knowledge of drowning prevention, water safety, search and rescue, emergency response or a related field.
• Strong facilitation, coaching and presentation skills.
• An ability to work sensitively and effectively across different cultures and contexts.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence a wide range of audiences.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to delivery.

This role is an exciting opportunity to use your technical expertise and programme management skills to help strengthen lifesaving capability around the world and will require regular overseas travel.

In line with our values and our commitment to supporting the development and progression of our people, this opportunity is currently only available to RNLI staff and volunteers. If we are unable to make an appointment through this process, we will consider opening the role to external applicants. #LI-DNI, Our purpose is simple, to save lives at sea. 24 hours a day, every day, RNLI lifesavers are ready to launch to the rescue., By supporting international partners to reduce drowning and improve rescue outcomes, you will play a direct role in helping the RNLI achieve its vision to save every one. This is a full-time role requiring 37 hours per week and will be based in the RNLI's Lifeboat Support Centre in Poole., Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.

• Salary £42,479 - £49,976 (dependent on experience)
• Flexible working
• 26 days' annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Competitive pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Health cashplan option