Programme Director

Location:              Remote with a preference for sub-Saharan Africa, South-East
and East Asia.

Location type: Remote

Reporting to: Chief Programme Officer

Annual salary: Competitive

Contract type:      Fixed-term contract

Working hours: Full-time

Candidate level: Management

Closing date:   Monday 23^rd March 2026, 9:00 am CET

Background
CECG is a fund set up by of some of the world's largest climate philanthropies, to advance climate solution through international cooperation. We are a regranter and thought leader, that acts as a strategic bridge builder and convener, working to strengthen international relations on climate action.

As part of our work we:

Support partners to develop strategies and campaigns that drive more ambitious outcomes from international processes, both multi- and plurilateral.
Help our stakeholders understand, connect, and influence the complex world of international climate relations, including formal and informal negotiations.
Provide the philanthropy community with insight, access, and clarity on urgent opportunities and tendencies in key international moments, as the world of international relations rapidly adapt.

Purpose of role
The Programme Director (PD) is responsible for developing a clear programme strategy, with a clear articulation of intended impact and focus, within certain parameters as dictated by capacity and financial constraints. Moreover, the PD is responsible for overseeing the responsible implementation of the programme strategy via a range of activities, primarily grantmaking, and through the team that the PD will manage.

As a strategic leader the Programme Director will be responsible for agenda setting and providing thought leadership on topics related to their programme strategy, including overseeing the identification of grantees and partners. This role oversees the coordination and project management of grant-making. It is the PDs’ responsibility that their programme strategy will help shape the global conversation, leverage grantmaking, convening opportunities and direct advocacy to achieve the maximum impact of their programme strategy.

The PD is also responsible for helping raise funding to meet programmatic objectives in close coordination with the other PDs, Chief Programme Officer and CEO. Finally, the Programme Director will be accountable for developing and maintaining strong external relationships with governments, private sector, academia, civil society stakeholders, and, where appropriate, existing and prospective donors.

This person will be assigned responsibilities and tasks by the Chief Programme Officer. The Programme Director will be a member of the Programme Leadership Team (PLT), consisting of the Chief Programme Officer (Chair), PDs and any other Director level position in the Programmes Team. PLT is a leadership forum, coordinating the priorities, tasking and delivery of all Programme Team responsibilities.

Primary responsibilities
Programme strategy development (10%)

Lead the development and articulation of the assigned programme strategy aligned to CECG’s overall vision, mission and strategic framework.
Take responsibility for ensuring that each programme strategy clearly articulates a defined area of focus in a compelling way to potential donors.
Be accountable for the development of:
- A clear theory of change.
- An overview of activities and pathways to impact.
- The clear prioritisation of resources allocated to the programme strategy.
- The identification of “work packages” as the structure to execute the strategy. (Work packages are assigned resources that contain a combination of activities and are assigned to a Programme Manager for execution).
- Clear objectives of the Programme Strategy that the PD will be accountable for.
- A plan of implementation of the Programme Strategy, through internal and external consultation (donors, peers and field) during development that ensures the strategy is rooted in reality and is implementable.
In close coordination with the CEO and CPO, present to and get approval for the Programme Strategy from relevant CECG governance bodies.
Contribute to the overall strategic vision of CECG and identify opportunities for programmatic growth within CECG’s mandate, under the supervision of the CPO and in a way that responds to ecosystem needs and gaps and deliver impact.

Programme strategy execution (65%)

Be accountable for the successful implementation of the assigned Programme Strategy, maximising impact, not least through the effective line-management of assigned programme team. This includes: ·
- Providing a detailed implementation plan, including assigning responsibilities to team members.
- Monitoring the Programme Strategy budget and pipeline, ensuring that the work stays within allocated budgets, has maximum value for money, and adheres to CECG policies and practices on cash-flow management.
- Overseeing professional, trust-based, efficient, and effective grant-making and grant-management of the Programme Strategy, even if executed by team members, including partner identification in collaboration with the Grants and Finance Managers.
- Executing grant-making through the appropriate governance channels and in line with the approved scheme of delegations. This can include overseeing the preparation of grant-dockets and presenting and seeking approval of grant-making at the relevant delegated authority in close coordination with the CPO.
- External representation, coordination, and engagement as needed to execute the Programme Strategy, including but not limited to building and maintaining networks and relationships with important stakeholders (governments, international institutions, civil society, private sector, academia, and philanthropy).
- Overseeing the execution of non-grant activities, such as convenings, meetings, etc.
- Providing thought-leadership within the field of the Programme Strategy, including peer-engagement (other re-granters) and, where necessary, public engagements and advocacy.
- Overseeing the monitoring, evaluation, and learning component of the Programme Strategy, ensuring learnings are captured on a rolling basis and that the Programme Strategy is adapted accordingly or lessons are brought into the development of new programme strategies.
- Communicating clearly about the Programme Strategy’s objectives to key stakeholders and using the Programme Strategy to set agenda.
- Ensuring compliance of the Programme Strategy in close collaboration with the Operations Team, not least to prepare for professional reporting on progress of the Programme Strategy to donors.

Be accountable for providing regular updates to CPO on the progress of implementing the Programme Strategy.
Prepare regular strategic updates on the area of focus for Programme Strategy as well as on the execution of Programme Strategy to key stakeholders, foremost CECG´s Governance (Board of Trustees and Strategic Advisory Group) as well as peers in the ecosystem.
Identify areas of potential growth, parts of existing Programme Strategy or areas tangential to the Programme Strategy that have the potential to become its own programme strategy within CECG and help grow the organisation and its impact.

Fundraising support (10%)

Support active fundraising, under the coordination of the Partnership Manager, as overseen by the CEO. Be responsible for helping to raise sufficient funds to meet the programmatic objectives of programme strategies and contribute to overall CECG fundraising objectives.
Be a brand ambassador for CECG, including building relationships with potential new funders and raising awareness within donor spaces about CECG as an organisation and what impact we offer through relevant CECG programme strategies and programmatic work.
Manage and oversee the programmatic and relevant funder steering/working group/s.

People management (15%)

Provide clear direction, articulate clear expectations, and decisive leadership to direct reports, ensuring that all are aligned with the goals and have a clear purpose – i.e. Programme Managers should be clear on their responsibility for the implementation of work-packages within programme strategies.
Provide inspiring, values‑led leadership that fosters an inclusive, psychologically safe environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute and deliver excellence. CECG prioritize trust and pushing leadership down as far as possible. It is important that line-managers effectively delegate, empower and sets up direct reports for success.
Set clearly defined performance standards for direct reports, holding them accountable for achieving them and providing support and guidance where needed.
Support and coach direct reports to drive their own individual development plans in order to further grow as professionals in their jobs and exhibit a duty of care to employees.
Ensure that direct reports adhere to CECG policies and procedures.
Resource the team appropriately, considering workloads and deliverables.

Experience

Eight years of high-level experience at the senior management level.
Public policy and public relations experience.
Experience in delivering change (i.e. through campaigning, advocacy, strategic communications or equivalent).
Proven professional record with stakeholder management.
Experience working in a multi-lateral/UN setting or equivalent.
Experience in philanthropy and grant management.
We are particularly, though not exclusively, interested in profiles with a background or networks in the areas of trade or global security.

Qualifications

Master’s Degree in a relevant field or equivalent (e.g. Climate, Energy, Environment, Economics, International Policy, Political Sciences, Management, Development Studies).

Special requirements
International travel approximately 20 to 30 days per year.

Terms and conditions
You need to already have the right to work and live in the country where you are applying from.

To apply for the post
To apply for this role, please submit your CV/resume along with a cover letter that describes your interest in the position and demonstrates how your experience aligns with the requirements outlined in this announcement.

If you have any questions about the role or organisation and would like an informal chat ahead of submitting a formal application, please reach out to Shoshana Grammer at shoshana@upsallinternational.com. To note: in order to keep your application safe and ensure your data is GDPR compliant, applications will not be accepted via email.

· The deadline for applications is Monday 23^rd March 2026, 9:00 am CET ·

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Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required, irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability, or sexual orientation.