At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial oversight and compliance for impactful humanitarian programmes.
- Company: Join CARE International, a global leader in fighting poverty and inequality.
- Benefits: Part-time role with competitive salary and potential for contract extension.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by supporting women and girls in crisis situations.
- Qualifications: Experience in programme finance, budgeting, and grant management required.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to equality and safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 22851 - 22851 £ per year.
CARE International is a global humanitarian organisation leading the fight to end poverty in the world's most challenging situations. Women and girls are at the centre of our work, because we cannot overcome poverty and inequality until all people have equal rights and opportunities. We know that when a crisis erupts, women are often the first to pick up the pieces, so we work alongside women, so they have the power to make change where it's needed most. Founded in 1945, CARE currently works in over 100 countries and last year alone reached 53.4 million people through nearly 1,500 projects.
This is an excellent opportunity to join CARE International UK's Programme Management Team in a senior programme finance role at a time when the organisation is continuing to evolve how it funds and delivers programmes. The role sits at the heart of CARE's engagement with a wide range of institutional, corporate, and philanthropic donors and plays a critical role in ensuring programmes are well designed, financially robust, and compliant from proposal stage through delivery.
As Senior Programme Finance Specialist, you will work across diverse funding mechanisms, including traditional grants and commercial contracts, and collaborate closely with programme managers, country offices, and finance colleagues across the CARE confederation. The role offers meaningful exposure to complex programmes and innovative funding arrangements, as well as the opportunity to shape how CARE strengthens financial quality, risk management, and donor confidence across its portfolio.
You are an experienced programme finance professional with strong budgeting and financial analysis skills and a track record of supporting proposals and managing grants for institutional and corporate donors. You are comfortable working on complex proposal budgets, including for commercial contracts and non-traditional funding mechanisms, and have a solid understanding of donor compliance requirements and cost recovery principles. You bring excellent attention to detail, strong Excel skills, and the ability to explain financial and contractual issues clearly to non-finance colleagues. You are confident working independently across a mixed portfolio, supporting programmes across the full project lifecycle from proposal development and contracting through to delivery, reporting, and close-out. You share CARE's commitment to tackling structural inequality and are comfortable working in line with feminist leadership, localisation, and safeguarding principles.
The Senior Programme Finance Specialist provides senior financial, contractual, and compliance leadership across a mixed portfolio of programmes funded by institutional, corporate, and philanthropic donors. The role has a strong focus on programme funding and proposal development, working closely with Programme Funding colleagues, Programme Managers, and Country Offices to develop compliant, well-structured budgets and financial narratives. Key objectives include ensuring robust financial design at proposal stage, effective financial oversight during delivery, and strong compliance and audit readiness across the portfolio. The role also contributes to financial risk management, supports contract negotiations and amendments, and provides technical advice and capacity strengthening to colleagues and partners. Strong budgeting capability, experience with institutional and corporate proposals, and the ability to work confidently with commercial contracts are central to success in this role.
CARE International UK has a zero-tolerance approach to any abuse to, sexual harassment of or exploitation of, a vulnerable adult or child by any of our staff, representatives or partners. CARE International UK expects all staff to share this commitment through our Safeguarding Policy and our Code of Conduct. They are responsible for ensuring they understand and work within the remit of these policies throughout their time at CARE International UK.
We are committed to Equality and value Diversity. We are a Disability Confident Employer and particularly welcome applications from disabled people. We guarantee interviews to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. If you require the candidate brief or need to submit your application in an alternative format, because of a disability, please do get in touch by sending an email to info@careinternational.org. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We particularly welcome applications from people of underrepresented backgrounds, including those from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority communities, and individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.
Following recent changes to Skilled Worker Visa eligibility, a number of roles have been removed from the immigration salary list. Applicants residing outside of the UK may apply for this role if it has an eligible occupation code, identifies as a 'higher skilled' job and meets the salary threshold.
Senior Programme Finance Specialist (Part-time, 6-month FTC) employer: CARE International UK
Contact Detail:
CARE International UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Programme Finance Specialist (Part-time, 6-month FTC)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and humanitarian sectors. Let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities, and don't hesitate to ask for introductions or advice. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching CARE International's values and recent projects. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission. Practise common interview questions, especially around budgeting and compliance, so you can showcase your expertise confidently.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings! Keep an eye on our website and apply directly through it. This shows initiative and gives you a better chance of being noticed. Plus, it’s a great way to stay updated on new roles as they come up.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews with a thank-you email. It’s a simple gesture that can set you apart from other candidates. Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and mention something specific from the interview that resonated with you. It keeps you fresh in their minds!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Programme Finance Specialist (Part-time, 6-month FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in programme finance. Use keywords from the job description to show us you understand what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; give us examples of how you've used them in past roles. Whether it’s budgeting or compliance, we want to see how you’ve made an impact in your previous positions.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your financial expertise shines through without overwhelming us with details.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently!
How to prepare for a job interview at CARE International UK
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Programme Finance Specialist, you'll need to demonstrate your budgeting and financial analysis skills. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed complex budgets in the past. Prepare examples that showcase your attention to detail and compliance with donor requirements.
✨Understand CARE's Mission
Familiarise yourself with CARE International's work and values, especially their focus on women and girls. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission to tackle structural inequality. Showing genuine passion for their cause can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in financial management. Think of specific situations where you've had to navigate complex funding mechanisms or compliance issues. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
This role involves working closely with programme managers and country offices. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with diverse teams. Highlight your ability to communicate financial concepts to non-finance colleagues, as this will be crucial in ensuring everyone is on the same page.