Director of Programmes, Policy & Advocacy

CARE International UK • Full-time • London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom • €88.80k - €91.76k / year • 18h ago

Salary: £88,800 - £91,761 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing date: 31 August 2026 at 11pm

Interviews from w/c 7 September 2026

Why work for CARE International UK?

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.

About the role

This is a unique opportunity to shape CARE International UK’s international development and humanitarian action at a time of shrinking aid budgets, growing humanitarian need, increasing attacks on women's rights and rising pressure on civic space. Like a challenge?

As a member of CARE International UK’s Senior Leadership Team, you will lead our programmes, policy, advocacy and institutional funding portfolio, driving impactful change for women and girls worldwide. With passionate and highly capable teams you will play a critical role in securing major institutional funding, advancing locally led and gender-transformative approaches, and ensuring CARE remains at the forefront of development and humanitarian innovation. You will oversee a powerful UK influencing agenda, using CARE’s evidence and expertise to shape government policy, donor priorities and public debate, while serving as a senior ambassador for our work with donors and policy targets. You will also help shape strategic priorities across the global CARE Confederation and provide leadership to our humanitarian portfolio.

About you

We're looking for an inspiring and strategic leader with significant experience in the international NGO sector, a strong track record of securing and managing institutional funding, and experience delivering impact through local partners and complex federated networks.

You will be an accomplished leader of organisational change, able to lead with empathy and authenticity through periods of uncertainty, while maintaining a clear focus on mission, performance and results. You will build high-performing teams, influence senior stakeholders and translate ambitious strategy into meaningful impact.

The successful candidate will be a collaborative and strategic leader, committed to fostering an inclusive, anti-racist and feminist organisational culture. If you have the experience we need, are passionate about gender equality, local leadership and creating lasting impact for women and girls, we'd love to hear from you.

Right to Work in the UK

All applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom at the time of appointment. Proof of right to work will be required as part of the recruitment process. For more information, please visit the UK Government's guidance on right to work.

Where you do not have current right to work in the UK, then this will be discussed with you as part of the recruitment process. Please note that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship and further information (should you require sponsorship to work in the UK) on eligibility can be found here.

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,info@careinternational.org

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+.