Global Programmes Director

ABOUT UWS When we educate the future, we change the future. Education accelerates poverty reduction, female empowerment, and improved infant mortality. Yet, 251 million children worldwide are out of school. This changes now. UWS works to ensure children have access to quality, inclusive education in remote and marginalised communities by collaborating with local partners, communities and governments. We deliver schools, we train teachers and we strengthen education systems. Our low-cost, high impact model builds capacity, not dependency. This ensures that education systems continue to flourish beyond our involvement. Shifting focus from delivering change in the short term, to empowering change for the long term, we go beyond educating the future, to changing it. Our vision is Zero Education Poverty. UWS is an international nonprofit that was established in 2008 to provide children in remote and marginalised regions access to free quality, inclusive primary education. We currently operate in rural areas of Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, and Madagascar, working with over 320 communities and over 80,000 children to date.

THE ROLE This is a newly created leadership role, introduced as part of UWS’ evolving organisational strategy to strengthen the impact, coherence, and sustainability of its global programmes. The Global Programmes Director will play a central role in shaping and driving this strategy, providing expert leadership across UWS’ multi-country education portfolio. The role will lead strategic programme design and delivery, ensure strong institutional and donor alignment, and drive consistent, high-quality education outcomes across diverse low-resource contexts. Working closely with country teams, partners, governments, and donors, the postholder will bring deep expertise in education and international development to translate strategic ambition into meaningful, measurable impact for children and communities.

JOB REQUIREMENTS Experience, Knowledge and Competencies: 5+ years’ senior leadership in the education sector, including significant experience in international programme development, management and delivery. Advanced degree in Education, International Development, Public Policy, or equivalent experience. Proven success in co-design and delivery of multi-country or large-scale institutional programmes in low-resource contexts. Experience supporting fundraising and maintaining strong donor relations (institutional donors preferred). Strong leadership in adaptive programme management and applying learning to scale. Track record in safeguarding and inclusive education programming. Excellent strategic, operational, and financial management skills. Strong influencing and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build strategic partnerships across diverse contexts. Experience in public speaking and representing an organisation externally. Data literacy and the ability to use evidence to inform programme strategy and demonstrate impact. Fluency in English; other local languages valued. Willing to travel to remote sites.

BENEFITS & APPLICATION DETAILS Every individual at UWS needs to be committed to UWS vision, mission and values and apply them in their daily behaviour and work. Be committed to undertaking UWS’ safeguarding training and adhering to relevant policies, to ensure everyone who comes to contact with UWS are as safe as possible. Application process: Send your CV and a cover letter (max. 2 pages) outlining your suitability to [email removed - click apply for more details] by 8th February. Application guidelines: Please include “Global Programmes Director” in the email header. Please attach your cover letter as a separate document (applications with cover letters in the email body will not be considered). Please include your salary expectations in your cover letter. You must declare if you know anyone at UWS.