At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global quality assurance strategy for impactful school feeding programmes.
- Company: Join Mary’s Meals, a global movement dedicated to feeding children in education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 34 days annual leave, competitive salary, and opportunities for travel.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through strategic leadership and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Experience in quality assurance and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Remote role with potential for international travel and personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 51877 - 51877 £ per year.
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.
Head of Programme Quality Assurance - Remote in London employer: ReliefWeb
Contact Detail:
ReliefWeb Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Programme Quality Assurance - Remote in London
✨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 our goals, especially in quality assurance and programme delivery.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven improvements in previous roles. We love hearing about real-life successes and challenges.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Programme Quality Assurance - Remote in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Programme Quality Assurance role. Highlight your experience in quality assurance and programme delivery, and show how your values align with Mary’s Meals. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a strategic leader, it’s important to demonstrate your ability to manage teams and drive improvements. Share specific examples of how you've led high-performing teams or influenced stakeholders in your previous roles. We love hearing about your successes!
Use Data to Your Advantage: Since this role involves using data to inform decisions, make sure to include any relevant experience you have with data analysis or evidence-based learning. Show us how you've used data insights to improve programme quality in the past!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at ReliefWeb
✨Know the Mission Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Mary’s Meals’ mission and values. Understand how they align with your own beliefs and experiences. 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.