Programme Director – International Defence / Defense Military Capacity Building - All Countries

This role is part of a wider defence capacity-building consultancy programme and requires a highly capable professional to manage project delivery across recruitment, training, integration, staff welfare, and government liaison. The position demands strong leadership, discretion, and the ability to work across international and institutional environments, maintaining effective relations and communication with host governments, defence authorities, and strategic partners. The successful candidate will help ensure the programme is implemented with structure, accountability, and a clear focus on operational effectiveness and personnel welfare. Key Responsibilities Lead the overall design, coordination, and delivery of the programme. Manage relationships with host governments, defence ministries, military authorities, regulators, and partner organisations. Oversee recruitment support processes for qualified personnel, including screening, suitability assessment, and mobilisation planning. Coordinate training and integration activities to support readiness and effective deployment. Ensure staff welfare, duty of care, and support mechanisms are properly planned and monitored. Develop and maintain project governance, reporting, and performance tracking systems. Identify risks, issues, and operational constraints, and implement mitigation measures. Prepare briefings, reports, and updates for senior leadership and external stakeholders. Work closely with legal, HR, operations, compliance, and security teams to ensure all activities are properly managed. Represent the programme professionally in meetings, communications, and strategic discussions with government, defence counterparts and other stakeholders. Candidate Profile Senior-level experience in project management, defence consultancy, programme delivery, or stakeholder engagement. Strong background in defence, security, international operations, or Defence capacity-building environments. Experience working with governments, ministries, military bodies, or regulated public-sector stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder programmes across different countries or jurisdictions. Strong leadership, communication, and negotiation skills. Experience overseeing welfare, safeguarding, onboarding, or personnel support functions. High level of discretion, resilience, and professionalism. Ability to work independently while coordinating effectively across teams and partners. Preferred Experience Background in defence transformation, operational support, strategic planning, international recruitment, or humanitarian-style field coordination. Experience in consultancy or advisory roles supporting defence or public-sector clients. Familiarity with compliance, reporting, and governance in high-risk or sensitive environments. International travel experience and comfort operating across diverse cultural and institutional settings. Reporting Line Reports to: Executive Director / Managing Director / Board Representative Success Measures Successful delivery of programme objectives and milestones. Strong working relationships with host governments and defence stakeholders. Effective coordination of recruitment, training, integration, and welfare processes. Clear reporting, governance, and issue resolution. High standards of professionalism, compliance, and operational control. Application Requirements Please include: A summary of your relevant project, programme, or consultancy experience. Any experience working with governments, defence officials, or military stakeholders. Your experience managing training, integration, welfare, or personnel support functions. Examples of large or complex programmes you have led or supported. Why you believe you are suitable for this role. Compensation An agreed hourly rate will be offered, in addition to a significant applicable Bonus agreed with the successful candidate on successful project delivery.