Director of Programmes & Accountability

The DEC is seeking a Director of Programmes & Accountability to provide strategic leadership across its humanitarian programmes, quality, accountability and learning. At a time of growing humanitarian need and increasingly complex crises, the Director will play a critical role in ensuring the DEC is ready to respond to emerging emergencies, helping ensure the right appeals are launched at the right time and that DEC funding delivers high-quality, effective and accountable humanitarian responses. Reporting to the Chief Executive and as a member of the Executive Team, the Director will provide strategic oversight of the DEC’s humanitarian programme portfolio and lead the Programmes & Accountability team. They will provide trusted advice to the Chief Executive, Board and Membership and Accountability Committee on programme performance, risk and assurance, while strengthening the use of evidence and learning across the DEC and its membership. Externally, they will build influential relationships across the humanitarian sector and lead the DEC’s strategic relationship with FCDO, including responsibility for negotiating and securing UK Aid Match. The ideal candidate will bring significant senior leadership experience in humanitarian response and substantial knowledge of the international humanitarian system, programme quality and accountability. They will combine strategic judgement with strong programme oversight and experience of operating in complex humanitarian contexts. A collaborative and influential leader, they will be able to build trust across a diverse membership, navigate complexity and engage credibly with government, donors, humanitarian agencies and partners. Above all, the DEC is looking for someone with a deep commitment to principled and effective humanitarian action and a collaborative leadership style. This is an exceptional opportunity to play a senior leadership role at the heart of the UK’s humanitarian response, helping the DEC and its members deliver effective, accountable support to communities affected by crises around the world. We have engaged Perrett Laver to work on this vacancy for the DEC, and you can apply for the executive role here. Perrett Laver are accepting applications until 09:00am 12 October 2026.