Senior Programme Manager (12-month FTC)

Care International UK; Greater London; On-site; GBP 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A global humanitarian organization is seeking an experienced Senior Programme Manager to lead high-value programmes in West Africa. The role involves managing complex portfolios, ensuring delivery and compliance, and developing strong donor relationships. Ideal candidates will have a proven track record in programme management, excellent English and French communication skills, and experience with corporate partnerships. Commitment to gender equality and addressing structural inequality is essential. This is a full-time role with a competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Strong track record managing complex, multi-country programmes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French.
• Experience with corporate partnerships and agricultural value chains.

Responsibilities

• Manage a mixed portfolio of humanitarian and development programmes.
• Ensure compliance and high standards of quality in project delivery.
• Collaborate with country offices and internal teams.

Skills

Programme management

Donor relationship management

Financial management

Communication in French

Education

Experience in managing multi-country programmes

Job description

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Senior Programme Manager

CARE International UK

Salary: £45,703 per annum

Contract Type: 12-month Fixed Term Contract

Closing date: 4 January 2026 at 11pm

Interview date: 13 January 2026

About CARE

CARE International is a global humanitarian organisation leading the fight to end poverty in the world's most challenging situations. Women and girls are at the centre of our work, because we cannot overcome poverty and inequality until all people have equal rights and opportunities. We know that when a crisis erupts, women are often the first to pick up the pieces, so we work alongside women, so they have the power to make change where it's needed most. Founded in 1945, CARE currently works in over 100 countries and last year alone reached 53.4 million people through nearly 1,500 projects.

Why work for CARE International UK?

This is a compelling opportunity to take on a senior programme management role within CARE International UK at a time when the organisation is adapting to evolving funding relationships and increasing engagement with innovative funding mechanisms and corporate partners. As Senior Programme Manager, you will be entrusted with leading some of CARE's most complex and high-value programmes, ensuring strong delivery, compliance, and impact across diverse contexts.

The role offers meaningful exposure to non-traditional donors and private sector partnerships, alongside CARE's established institutional funding, with a particular focus on francophone Africa. You will work closely with country offices, partners, and donors to navigate complexity, support effective delivery, and respond to new ways of working, while maintaining CARE's strong commitment to gender equality and locally led approaches. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced programme manager looking to deepen their expertise in complex portfolio delivery and innovative partnerships within a values-driven organisation.

About you

You are an experienced programme management professional with a strong track record of managing complex, multi-country or high-value programmes funded by institutional and corporate donors, with experience managing projects across the full project lifecycle, from contracting and start-up through implementation, reporting, and close-out. You bring sound judgement, strong organisational skills, and the confidence to lead donor relationships, negotiate contracts, and resolve delivery challenges in partnership with country offices and stakeholders.

You have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French, and experience working in or with francophone contexts, particularly in West Africa. Experience engaging with corporate partners and an understanding of agricultural value chains, such as cocoa or similar commodities, and the realities facing smallholder farmers, will be a strong advantage. You are committed to CARE's values and bring a demonstrated commitment to tackling structural inequality, promoting gender equality, and working in line with feminist leadership principles.

About the role

The Senior Programme Manager is responsible for independently managing a mixed portfolio of humanitarian and/or development programmes, including some of CARE International UK's most complex and high-value projects. The role leads on programme oversight across the full project lifecycle, from contracting and start-up through to delivery, reporting, and close-out, ensuring high standards of quality, compliance, and risk management.

The role involves close collaboration with country offices, partners, and internal teams, including Programme Finance, Programme Funding, and technical advisers, as well as acting as a senior interface with donors. The priority geographic focus for this post is West Africa, with particular emphasis on francophone countries, and the portfolio may include programmes linked to corporate partnerships and agricultural value chains.

Key skills and abilities required include strong programme and financial management capability, excellent donor and stakeholder relationship management, the ability to manage complexity and competing priorities, and confidence working independently while escalating risks appropriately. The role requires excellent English and French language skills, sound judgement, and a collaborative, solutions-focused approach.

Safeguarding

CARE International UK has a zero-tolerance approach to any abuse to, sexual harassment of or exploitation of, a vulnerable adult or child by any of our staff, representatives or partners. CARE International UK expects all staff to share this commitment through our Safeguarding Policy (link here) and our Code of Conduct (link here). They are responsible for ensuring they understand and work within the remit of these policies throughout their time at CARE International UK.

Safeguarding our beneficiaries is our top priority in everything we do, including recruitment. All offers of employment at CARE International UK are subject to:

• Satisfactory references. CARE International UK participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (link here). In line with this Scheme, we will request information from successful applicants' previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.
• Appropriate criminal record checks (including a Bridger check, link here).

By submitting an application, the applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Equality and Diversity

We are committed to Equality and value Diversity. We are a Disability Confident Employer and particularly welcome applications from disabled people. We guarantee interviews to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role (see person specification). If you require the candidate brief or need to submit your application in an alternative format, because of a disability, please do get in touch by sending an email to, [e-mail]

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We particularly welcome applications from people of underrepresented backgrounds, including those from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority communities, and individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.

Right to Work in the UK

Following recent changes to Skilled Worker Visa eligibility, a number of roles have been removed from the immigration salary list.

Applicants residing outside of the UK may apply for this role if it is has an eligible occupation code, identifies as a 'higher skilled' job and meets the salary threshold. Before submitting your application, please review the latest Skilled Worker Visa guidance here.