Tearfund Announces Global Search for Director of Global Programmes|Application Deadline 21 Jun 2026
Tearfund is inviting applications for the prestigious role of Director of Global Programmes, offering experienced humanitarian and development professionals the opportunity to lead one of the world’s most respected faith-based international organisations. The senior leadership position will oversee Tearfund’s worldwide programme portfolio, including humanitarian response, long-term development initiatives, and global advocacy work.
The organisation is seeking a visionary leader with extensive international experience who can drive high-impact programming across multiple regions while strengthening partnerships with churches, donors, and local organisations. The role reports directly to the Chief Executive and forms part of the organisation’s top leadership structure.
About Tearfund
Tearfund is a Christian humanitarian and development organisation committed to tackling poverty and injustice around the world. The organisation partners closely with local churches and community-based organisations to support vulnerable populations affected by conflict, disasters, climate change, and economic hardship.
The organisation believes poverty is rooted in broken relationships with God, communities, the environment, and individuals themselves. Through its programmes, Tearfund works to restore these relationships and create sustainable transformation that is economic, environmental, social, and spiritual.
Operating across numerous countries globally, Tearfund delivers humanitarian relief, resilience-building programmes, advocacy campaigns, and development initiatives that aim to improve livelihoods and strengthen local capacities.
Key Responsibilities of the Role
The Director of Global Programmes will provide strategic leadership for Tearfund’s international programme portfolio. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring programmes deliver measurable impact while remaining contextually relevant and aligned with the organisation’s mission and values.
Core responsibilities include:
- Leading global programme strategy and implementation
- Overseeing humanitarian, development, and influencing programmes
- Ensuring programme quality and accountability standards
- Managing organisational risks and safeguarding systems
- Strengthening monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes
- Supporting regional leadership teams across multiple countries
- Building strong relationships with donors, churches, and strategic partners
- Ensuring effective stewardship of financial and operational resources
The role also involves leading a team of ten direct reports and contributing to cross-organisational alignment and decision-making at executive level.
Candidate Requirements
Tearfund is searching for a highly experienced executive with a proven track record in international development and humanitarian leadership. Applicants are expected to have substantial experience overseeing large-scale, multi-country programmes and managing complex organisational operations.
Ideal candidates should demonstrate:
- Senior executive leadership experience in international NGOs or humanitarian organisations
- Expertise in programme quality, safeguarding, and risk management
- Strong experience in donor engagement and partnership management
- Proven ability to lead multicultural and geographically dispersed teams
- Experience with localisation and partnership-based programming models
- Strong financial oversight and strategic planning capabilities
- Advocacy and stakeholder engagement experience at senior level
- Lived experience in the Global South
In addition to technical and operational expertise, the organisation is also seeking someone with a vibrant Christian faith and a commitment to integrating faith into leadership and organisational culture.
Flexible Global Location
One of the notable aspects of this opportunity is its flexible location arrangement. The successful candidate may be based in any country where Tearfund has an office that can legally employ staff, provided the applicant already has the right to live and work there.
This flexible structure reflects the organisation’s commitment to global leadership representation and inclusive international recruitment practices.
The role is offered on a permanent contract, while salary and benefits will be determined according to the candidate’s location and the seniority of the position.
Recruitment and Safeguarding Measures
As part of Tearfund’s safeguarding and accountability commitments, the recruitment process includes several compliance checks. The selected candidate will undergo a DBS or police background check, and the organisation also participates in the SCHR Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.
Additionally, personal identification information will be screened against international watchlist databases as part of counter-terror compliance procedures.
These measures are designed to uphold safeguarding standards and maintain accountability across the organisation’s global operations.
Application Process
Interested applicants are required to submit:
- A CV of no more than four pages
- A cover letter written in English
- Documents preferably in MS Word format
Applicants must name their files according to the following format:
FirstName_Surname_CV_TFDGPFirstName_Surname_CL_TFDGP
Applications are being managed through executive recruitment partner Red Sea.
The application deadline is 21 June 2026.
Professionals seeking a senior international leadership opportunity within the humanitarian and development sector are encouraged to apply before the closing date.
LEARN MORE & APPLY
Join Our WhatsApp Community
Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
