Job Description

Salary: (UK): 30,170 plus benefits (Our pay philosophy ensures consistency across locations and salaries. The starting salary for this opportunity plus benefits depends on location of the candidate).
The role:
As Programmes Relationship Officer (12 Months FTC), you will provide effective operational and administrative support to Mary's Meals' programmes in a number of countries and contexts where they are implemented in partnership with local organisations. You will foster effective and trust-based relationships and will be a key contact for the programme partners in your portfolio. You will develop a deep understanding of these programmes, enabling you to proactively support continuous improvement and strengthening, and you will be responsible for coordinating key processes related to reporting and implementation.
Reporting to our Programmes Relationship Manager, you will work closely with colleagues in the Programmes team to coordinate capacity building activities, supporting our partners to deliver effective, efficient and high-impact school feeding programmes. You will also work with a range of teams across the wider Mary's Meals network, sharing knowledge and information about programme partner activities. You may have the opportunity to play a role in planning and supporting programme expansions. This is a busy, fast paced role where no two days are the same and you may be required to travel to programme countries, if the need arises.
Your impact:

• Ensuring programmes are delivered in line with agreed plans/budgets and partners are aligned to Mary's Meals' School Feeding Approach as well as our vision, mission and values.
• Coordinating key processes such as budgeting, reporting, food ordering and financial transfers across teams, ensuring accuracy and adherence to set schedules and deadlines.
• Working with partner organisations in preparing and monitoring annual programme budgets and strategies.
• Supporting partners in strengthening their capacity, internal systems, governance, and risk management.
• Ensuring other teams within Mary's Meals have the information they require about programme partner activities in order to carry out their roles successfully.
• Exploring and assessing new partnership opportunities and reviewing existing partner programmes, as required.

About you:

• Able to work cohesively and build strong relationships with people of various nationalities, cultures, beliefs and backgrounds.
• Sensitively manage stakeholder expectations and confidently navigate difficult conversations to maintain alignment and trust across teams.
• Strong organisational and project coordination skills, with a proactive, resourceful, motivated approach to work.
• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills - particularly MS Excel.
• Excellent verbal communication, report writing and presentation skills.
• Degree qualified in a relevant subject or relevant experience in a similar role.
• Experience of developing and reviewing budgets and reporting against strategies would be beneficial.
• Competency in French and/or other relevant language would be beneficial.

About us:
Mary's Meals is a global movement supported by people from all walks of life and we are focused on one goal - that every child receives a nutritious daily meal in a place of education. We continue to change the lives of over 2.6 million children who today will receive Mary's Meals.
We are happy for you to work remotely and flexibly, in a way that best supports your work life balance. We also have an office near Glasgow city centre for those who live nearby and would like to work from here occasionally or on a regular basis.
We believe in the innate goodness of people, respect the dignity of every human being and family life and believe in good stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. In line with our values, Mary's Meals is fully committed to a culture of safeguarding. Mary's Meals is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work and we expect all the Mary's Meals family to share this commitment and work in the best interest of the communities we serve. Our safe recruitment practices ensure that only those that are committed to our high standards join our movement.
Our Benefits:

• 34 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time working patterns) including bank holidays, increasing by 1 day each completed calendar year, to a maximum of 39 days (+ option to buy another week)

• Flexible working
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Life assurance
• Medical insurance for candidates located in Kenya, Liberia, Malawi and Zambia
• Pension - depending on the location of the candidate. For international candidates - any pension contribution paid as part of salary will be subject to normal statutory deductions/ taxation

Salary advertised is for UK based candidates. Our salary philosophy ensures consistency across locations where Mary's Meals operates (UK, Malawi, Zambia, Liberia, Kenya, Spain, Italy, Canada and Ireland), please reach out to jobs.mmi@marymsmeals.org for more information about salaries in other locations.
This is a fantastic role where your daily work has real impact.
How to apply:
Please click Apply to send your CV and a short covering note, highlighting your suitability and motivations in considering this role.
Closing date for applications is Thursday 12th June 2025.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible