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- Tasks: Lead global quality assurance strategy for impactful school feeding programmes.
- Company: Join Mary’s Meals International, a values-driven global movement.
- Benefits: Enjoy 34 days annual leave, flexible working, and life assurance.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through education and nutrition.
- Qualifications: Experience in quality assurance and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Role involves travel and working with children; safeguarding commitment essential.
The predicted salary is between 51877 - 51877 £ per year.
Salary: £51,877 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:
We are recruiting for a values-driven leader to join Mary’s Meals International (MMI) as Head of Programme Quality Assurance. Reporting to the Director of Programme Operations, you will provide strategic leadership for our global Programme Quality Assurance function, helping to ensure excellence, consistency and accountability across our school feeding programmes worldwide.
In this role, you will set and lead delivery of Mary’s Meals’ global programme quality assurance strategy, ensuring robust, data-informed quality standards are embedded across programme delivery and logistics operations. You will play a key role in driving continuous improvement, strengthening stewardship and supporting organisational learning, while ensuring alignment with our Mary’s Meals Delivery Model.
You will:
- Lead the design, delivery and ongoing evolution of MMI’s global Quality Assurance strategy, aligned with organisational and programme objectives.
- Drive improvements in programme quality, effectiveness and consistency through evidence-based learning, data insights and continuous improvement.
- Provide strategic leadership and line management to the QA team, building a high-performing function equipped to support a growing global programme portfolio.
- Act as a senior advisor to the Director of Programme Operations and wider leadership team on programme quality, compliance and risk.
- Work closely with Programme Affiliates, Programme Partners and cross-functional teams to align global quality standards with local implementation.
- Oversee the development and use of QA tools, assessments, methodologies and reporting systems to inform decision-making and organisational change.
- Promote strong integration between quality assurance, programme delivery, logistics and systems to support end-to-end programme excellence.
- Represent Mary’s Meals externally in relevant partnerships, technical working groups and sector forums, contributing to learning and best practice in school feeding quality.
About you:
A strategic and collaborative leader, you will bring a strong commitment to Mary’s Meals’ vision, mission and values, alongside significant experience in quality assurance, programme delivery or performance management within international development or other complex, international operational environments. You will have extensive knowledge of quality assurance frameworks, programme evaluation and continuous improvement methodologies, with a proven track record of leading high-performing teams and influencing senior stakeholders across diverse global organisations. Confident in using data and evidence to inform decision-making, you will combine strong relationship-building and communication skills with the ability to coach, inspire and develop others.
About us:
Mary’s Meals is a global movement supported by people from all walks of life, united by one goal, that every child receives a nutritious daily meal in a place of education. Today, more than 3 million children will receive Mary’s Meals, changing lives through access to food and education. We believe in the innate goodness of people, respect the dignity of every human being and family life, and are committed to good stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. In line with our values, Mary’s Meals is fully committed to a culture of safeguarding. We expect all members of the Mary’s Meals family to share this commitment and to work in the best interests of the communities we serve. Our safe recruitment practices ensure that only those aligned with our high standards join our movement.
This role will involve regular travel to countries where Mary’s Meals operates and will include regulated work with children. The successful candidate will be required to register with the Protected Vulnerable Group (PVG) Scheme or a local equivalent prior to commencing the role.
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
- Pension
To apply:
If you are inspired to join our movement and our vision, mission and values resonate with you, we would love to hear from you. To apply, please submit your CV along with a short covering note (no more than one page) outlining why you are a strong fit for this role and why you would like to work for Mary’s Meals International.
Closing date for applications is Thursday 19th February 2026. 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.
Head of Programme Quality Assurance - Remote employer: Mary's Meals
Contact Detail:
Mary's Meals Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Programme Quality Assurance - Remote
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to Mary’s Meals. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's values and mission. Show us how your experience aligns with Mary’s Meals’ goals, and don’t forget to have some questions ready to demonstrate your interest!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to build confidence. The more you rehearse, the more natural you'll feel when it’s time to shine in front of the real interview panel.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission at Mary’s Meals.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Programme Quality Assurance - Remote
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Programme Quality Assurance role. Highlight your experience in quality assurance and programme delivery, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills. We want to see how you align with our mission and values!
Craft a Compelling Covering Note: Your covering note is your chance to shine! Keep it concise and focus on why you’re a great fit for this role. Share your passion for our mission at Mary’s Meals and how your background can contribute to our goals. Remember, we love a good story!
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since this role involves using data to inform decisions, make sure to highlight your experience with data insights and evidence-based learning. We’re looking for someone who can drive improvements through data, so don’t hold back on those examples!
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so get your CV and covering note in as soon as you can. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mary's Meals
✨Know the Mission Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Mary’s Meals’ mission and values. Understand how they align with your own experiences and beliefs. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in the organisation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a candidate for Head of Programme Quality Assurance, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Prepare specific examples of how you've led teams, driven improvements, and influenced stakeholders in previous roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves using data to inform decision-making, come prepared with examples of how you've used data insights in past projects. Discuss any quality assurance frameworks or methodologies you’ve implemented and the impact they had on programme effectiveness.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about the current challenges the QA team faces or how success is measured in this role. This shows your strategic thinking and genuine interest in contributing to the organisation’s goals.
