Head of Programmes

Working for a leading Global Health Organisation, who partner with over 150 organisations across nearly 50 countries and who are entering the next phase of growth as they evolve from a community-building organisation to one that catalyses patient partnership in research, policy and health systems transformation.

The Head of Programmes will provide strategic and operational leadership across their global

programme portfolio, ensuring their work delivers measurable impact for the

community.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Head of Programmes will oversee the design, delivery and continuous improvement of programmes spanning community and patient engagement, patient networks, global advocacy and policy, European collaborative projects, patient research and evidence generation.

They will play a central role in translating the organisation’s new strategy into high-quality programmes, building partnerships, developing new opportunities and leading a multidisciplinary team.

• Lead the implementation of programme strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and measurable impact.
• Translate strategic objectives into an integrated programme portfolio with clear outcomes, milestones and performance measures.
• Identify opportunities to expand the organisation’s work in research, advocacy, patient engagement and health systems transformation.
• Contribute as a member of the Leadership Team to organisational strategy, planning and decision-making.
• Foster a culture of creativity, innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement across the organisation.

Provide strategic oversight of the organisation’s portfolio including:

• Community and patient engagement
• Global thematic patient networks and related projects
• European collaborative projects and consortia
• Global advocacy and policy programmes
• Patient experience research and evidence generation
• Capacity strengthening and patient leadership development
• Annual Unite Summit and strategic convening activities
• overseeing programme design, implementation and evaluation;
• ensuring delivery against objectives, budgets and funder requirements;
• managing programme risks and dependencies;
• embedding monitoring, evaluation and learning across the portfolio;
• ensuring programmes generate measurable impact and value for the patient community

• patient organisations and alliances;
• UN/WHO and international agencies;
• EU/regional institutions
• Academia and research consortia;
• Private sector partners;
• funders;
• professional societies

Develop and maintain strategic partnerships that strengthen their influence and programme impact.

Identify opportunities for new collaborations, funding and innovation.

• identify funding opportunities;
• expand international programme portfolio

Ensure robust programme management systems across the organisation including:

• quality assurance;
• monitoring and evaluation;
• funder reporting;
• organisational learning

• Oversee programme budgets across the portfolio.
• Ensure effective financial planning and resource allocation.
• Work closely with finance colleagues to ensure compliance with donor requirements.
• Support organisational sustainability through effective programme planning.

• Significant experience (8–10+ years) leading complex international programmes within global health, international development or the non-profit sector.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong programme and portfolio management experience.
• Experience working with international donors and grant-funded programmes.
• Experience working across multiple countries and cultures.
• Experience developing strategic partnerships across government, civil society, academia and industry.
• Experience translating strategy into operational delivery.
• Experience managing organisational change and growth.
• Non-communicable diseases; global health and development
• Patient engagement, patient advocacy and patient-centred research.
• Policy and advocacy
• Capacity building and organisational development.

• A collaborative leader
• Committed to equity, inclusion and meaningful patient involvement
• Passionate about improving global health through patient partnership
• Strategic, innovative and solutions-oriented
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail