Director of Programmes and Operations

The Director of Programmes and Operations  (DPO) will lead Malteser International’s core work, providing strategic analysis and guidance on programme implementation and delivery. This position manages and oversees a programme portfolio of USD 130 million annually across five continents. This includes delivering on strategic and operational plans, identifying and addressing issues, guiding team members in course correction, and suggesting innovative and creative pathways for new approaches and flexible problem-solving. The DPO will also oversee portfolio start-up and implementation, ensuring compliance with donor regulations and optimising allocation in coordination with other Directors and Team leads. Additionally, the DPO will manage the entire life cycle of programmes and funds for one assigned response, focusing on donor compliance and capacity-building in MI country offices through on-site reviews and support.

In addition to portfolio management, the DPO will lead, supervise, and develop a team of programme staff, facilitating orientation, work plans, and performance evaluations. They will be a key part of delivering MI’s 2025 strategy implementation and fostering a collaborative knowledge-sharing environment. The role requires an entrepreneurial spirit and creativity, strong analytical, organisational, communication, and management skills and proficiency in spoken and written German and English. It also involves up to 20% travel for high-priority humanitarian responses and project implementation. 

• A responsible and exciting job in a committed, international working environment,
• Fast pace, extensive decision-making power, innovation, and highly dynamic and motivated teams,
• Part of a network of several Order of Malta professional and voluntary organisations across the world, including a diplomatic network and representation at the UN,
• Flexible working hours and mobile working by arrangement, as well as the compatibility of work and family life,
• Opportunity of work missions to visit programmes and projects in the field,
• Access to Coaching as well as professional and personal development opportunities, also through our Malteser Academy,
• An unlimited employment contract with performance-related remuneration. It includes Christmas and vacation pay, child allowance, a company pension plan, and other social benefits.

Malteser is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all people, regardless of gender, confession or origin.

Malteser International is committed to safeguarding people within our programmes from exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives. Malteser International conducts reference and background checks for all staff (including criminal records check for specific roles). Any candidate offered a job with Malteser International will be expected to sign MI’s Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.

Whether you work as a specialist on overseas service or in one of our regional offices - we offer you a challenging working environment in an experienced international team. More than 1,000 national and international staff are currently deployed in various crisis and disaster areas around the world as well as in our regional offices in Cologne and New York City. For more information, please click here.