Team Leader (Economic Development Programme)

Chemonics UK; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Chemonics UK is seeking a Programme Director to lead a large-scale, multi-country economic development initiative focused on jobs, trade and inclusive growth. You will shape strategy, manage senior stakeholders, and ensure high-quality, adaptive programming across complex contexts.

The role requires senior-level experience with government and private sector partners, demonstrable results in PSD, investment mobilisation or trade, and a proven ability to steer multi-disciplinary teams and

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading large, complex, multi-country TA facilities or development programmes.
• Senior-level collaboration with government departments or similar donors.
• Experience working in fragile or politically complex environments.
• Proven ability to mobilise technical expertise rapidly and lead multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Translate donor priorities into a coherent, results-driven programme strategy across geographies.
• Provide leadership across programme design, implementation and continuous improvement.
• Oversee monitoring, evaluation and learning integration with robust results frameworks.
• Engage senior stakeholders and represent the programme at high-level forums.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Governance & delivery

Job description

About the Opportunity

Chemonics UK are exploring talent for a potential large scale, multi-country economic development programme. The programme is expected to focus on jobs, trade, and inclusive growth, operating across complex and dynamic contexts.

Please note: this is part of an early talent identification exercise linked to a forthcoming opportunity.

Role Purpose

The Programme Director will be responsible for overall leadership and delivery of a complex technical assistance facility, ensuring alignment with donor priorities while driving high quality, adaptive programming. The role requires strong strategic vision, deep technical expertise, and the ability to operate at senior levels across government and the private sector.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Translate donor priorities (e.g. jobs, trade, inclusive growth) into a coherent, results driven programme strategy
• Set the overall vision and direction across multiple workstreams and geographies
• Ensure adaptive programming approaches in response to changing contexts and evidence

Programme Delivery & Technical Oversight

• Provide leadership across programme design, implementation, and continuous improvement
• Ensure high quality technical delivery across thematic areas (e.g. private sector development, investment mobilisation, trade, policy reform)
• Oversee results frameworks, ensuring robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning integration

Stakeholder Engagement & Client Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the donor and senior stakeholders
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government counterparts, private sector actors, DFIs, and other partners
• Represent the programme externally at high level forums and engagements

Governance, Risk & Performance Management

• Oversee programme governance structures to ensure effective decision making and accountability
• Manage risk proactively, particularly in politically sensitive and complex environments
• Ensure efficient programme operations, including financial management, compliance, and reporting

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience

• Extensive experience leading large, complex, multi-country technical assistance facilities or economic development programmes

• Strong track record in at least one of the following areas:

• Private sector development (PSD)

• Investment mobilisation

• Trade and market systems development

• Policy reform

• Proven experience working at a senior level with UK Government departments (e.g. FCDO, DBT) or similar donors

• Demonstrated experience in fragile and conflict affected settings (FCAS) or politically complex environments

• Experience managing demand led TA facilities, including rapid mobilisation of technical expertise

• Leadership experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and consortia partners

Technical Expertise

• Deep expertise in at least one core thematic area (PSD, investment, trade/market systems, or policy reform)
• Strong understanding of economic development programming and inclusive growth agendas

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and visionary leadership
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Excellent programme and risk management capabilities
• Ability to lead in complex, fast paced, and adaptive environments

Chemonics is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. Safeguarding

At Chemonics, safeguarding – protecting a person’s right to live safely, free from violence, abuse, and neglect – is integral to the work we do. We integrate safeguarding measures to protect our staff, partners, and communities from all forms of violence and apply a survivor-centered approach that is trauma-sensitive, human-rights informed, intersectional, and locally led.

All job applicants will complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) basic check or equivalent overseas police check will be obtained for Chemonics employees prior to their start date.