Programme lead - Supply Chain

Location Hybrid · London, UK

Minimum of 2 days per week in the office

Team Impact Team

Seniority Mid-level

Closing: 9:00am, 5th Aug 2026 BST

About the UN Global Compact Network UK

We are a dynamic multi-stakeholder initiative, dedicated to connecting UK companies to the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest responsible business initiative. The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact provide a robust foundation and comprehensive framework for corporate sustainability and business action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our mission is to champion sustainability leadership to create a world we want to live and do business in, by inspiring ambition, enabling impactful action, and collaborating to reshape the business environment for the better.

The UN Global Compact Network UK has over 900 participating companies, with a team of 26 people. Our work is guided by the core values of the United Nations – Integrity, Respect for Diversity, and Professionalism – alongside nine additional values and behaviours of the UN Global Compact. During a recent review, the team described our workplace as friendly, inclusive, supportive, passionate, and hard-working.

About the role

We are seeking a Supply Chain Programme Lead to join our dynamic team. The Supply Chain Lead acts as the primary thematic lead and subject matter expert for the UN Global Compact Network UK’s work on sustainable supply chains. The Lead is responsible for defining the direction and ensuring the technical quality of the organisation's supply chain programming, translating complex regulatory requirements into actionable support for UK business participants. The Lead provides the expert guidance necessary to help businesses embed sustainability across their value chains.

By bridging the gap between policy and practice, the role empowers companies to move beyond compliance toward leadership in sustainable supply chain management. This position requires a candidate who combines expertise in supply chain sustainability, responsible sourcing, or sustainable procurement with the versatility to lead high-impact programmes and the interpersonal skill to engage a diverse range of corporate stakeholders, SMEs, and senior executives.

We are looking for someone with…

• Demonstrable subject matter expertise in sustainable supply chains, responsible procurement, supply chain due diligence, and circular economy principles, with a strong understanding of the UK and EU regulatory landscape and its implications for business practice.
• Experience in designing and delivering supply chain sustainability programmes, supplier engagement initiatives, or capacity-building support for SMEs, whether through an NGO, consultancy, or corporate sustainability function.
• Experience in familiarity with sector-specific supply chain challenges, including the ability to identify high-risk supply chains, tailor engagement to different industry contexts, and connect sector dynamics to the broader responsible sourcing agenda, is desirable.
• Experience in or familiarity with policy engagement or advocacy, including the ability to monitor regulatory developments, identify advocacy opportunities, and contribute to credible, evidence-based policy positions.
• Experience in programme or project management, with the ability to independently plan and oversee delivery and to exercise flexibility across operational tasks in a small organisation context.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to generate thought leadership outputs, evaluate programme evidence, and produce clear, high-quality written reports and briefings for a range of audiences.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to adapt tone and language for different audiences; confident in presenting and moderating sessions with senior and expert audiences.
• Skilled at building and maintaining relationships across a complex multi-stakeholder environment, including corporate members, international organisations, civil society, and regulatory bodies.
• Collaborative and inclusive approach, with the ability to lead and provide day-to-day guidance and feedback to project managers working across the portfolio.
• Work effectively as part of a small, interdisciplinary team and operate with a high degree of autonomy.

Key Responsibilities - after onboarding, we will expect you to:

• Project Management: Develop, plan, execute, and oversee programme tasks, projects, and events within the Sustainable Value Chain programme, including the Sustainable Suppliers Training Programme, overseeing everything from agenda setting and speaker recruitment to technical logistics and impact evaluation.
• Develop and maintain detailed workplans, budgets, and risk registers for all programmes and initiatives within the sustainable value chain portfolio, ensuring delivery to agreed milestones and quality standards.
• Carry out appropriate due diligence on speakers and their organisations to ensure alignment with the topic and values.
• Summarise key takeaways from project activities, and ensure their dissemination to relevant stakeholders.
• Actively identify funding opportunities and grant prospects relevant to the programme area, and contribute subject matter expertise and programme evidence to funding proposals, with support from the Director of Impact and relevant colleagues.

Regulatory Intelligence and Topic Stewardship: Monitor and assess the implications of emerging regulation and policy developments for member organisations, and ensure that programme content reflects the most current and relevant regulatory context. Support member organisations in strengthening their approach to responsible sourcing, supply chain due diligence, and circular economy integration, equipping them to respond to a rapidly shifting regulatory and policy environment across both UK and EU contexts. Generate thought leadership reports, briefings, and policy papers related to sustainable supply chains, sustainable procurement, supply chain due diligence, and SME sustainability performance. Research challenges and opportunities for business in this topic area to support decision-making and programme development, including sector-specific supply chain risks and opportunities. Regularly assess programme results and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate impact and progress. This includes reviewing data, identifying trends, and making recommendations to support the improvement of project effectiveness. Support the organisation's advocacy priorities, working closely with the Advocacy and Partnerships Manager to ensure that programme evidence and member insights inform policy positions and external submissions.

Partnerships: Act as the primary point of contact with the UN Global Compact Office (GCO) procurement team, ensuring the Network UK's programmes are connected to, and informed by, the global agenda. Establish and nurture partnerships with key stakeholders and organisations to enhance the impact and reach of the sustainable supply chain portfolio, including trade bodies, SME networks, industry platforms, and sector-specific coalitions. Lead the delivery and ongoing development of the Sustainable Suppliers Training Programme, managing relationships with participating companies, overseeing supplier engagement, and identifying opportunities to grow participation and deepen impact. Engage with sector-specific supply chain initiatives and partnerships, identifying opportunities for GCN UK to convene, collaborate, or provide expertise in priority supply chain contexts. Work closely with member organisations on sustainable supply chain topics, identifying opportunities to deepen their commitment and the visibility of their action. Collaborate and support assigned Project Managers, ensuring subject matter rigour and content quality throughout the delivery cycle. Work collaboratively with the Impact Team, sharing relevant updates and contributing to the coherence of the wider programming. Participate in regular whole team meetings and share updates that are relevant to colleagues across the organisation. Contribute to the continuous improvement of team practices by sharing constructive feedback and suggesting practical solutions. Support other team members where and when needed.

As the UN Global Compact Network UK Secretariat is a small team with a broad remit, the post-holder may from time to time be asked to support other organisational activities.

What we offer:

• Hybrid working – After onboarding, a minimum of two days in the office per week, working from home up to 3 days per week.
• Flexible working, once discussed with your line manager.
• Our core hours are 10 am to 4 pm.
• Compressed hours of 9-day fortnights in Summer.
• Employee Assistance Programme for you and your immediate family.
• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, increasing with length of service.
• Three additional days off between Christmas and New Year, offered at the organisation’s discretion.
• Menstruation and menopause leave.
• Three additional days off for mission-related volunteering or sustainable travel.
• Enhanced pension scheme after probation.
• Enhanced sick leave.
• Season ticket loan.
• Cycle to Work Scheme and Bike-sharing Cycle Scheme.

This is a full-time position (37.5 hours per week).

Before applying for this role, please note the following:

• Our hiring process aims to eliminate bias by using a software called Applied. To do this, we do not engage candidates outside the Applied programme until the final stages.
• The UN Global Compact Network UK is not able to sponsor work visas. We will only consider applications from candidates who already have the right to work in the UK.
• While this role is within the UN Global Compact Network UK Secretariat, the successful candidate will not be formally employed by the United Nations.