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About IDH

IDH (°2008) is a global organisation that brings together public and private stakeholders to make agricultural markets more sustainable and more inclusive. Within that remit, they focus on: Better Jobs, Better Income, Better Environment and Gender Equality. Based throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America, the IDH team represents a diverse range of locations, cultures, lifestyles, and backgrounds. It is this richness that makes the organisation effective, and their shared belief in IDH’s core values that binds them together. It offers a dynamic international environment and a team that is enthusiastic and passionate.

As a pioneering organisation that creates significant value for thousands of communities and the global environment, IDH is seeking a Chief Programme Officer (CPO) who will contribute to positive global change. The CPO will make a meaningful contribution to the global sustainability agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, while expanding the network and influence at the highest level.

About the Role

The CPO is a member of the Executive Board (EB), next to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Functions Officer (CFO). The CEO chairs the Executive Board(EB) and directs the day-to-day functioning of the EB. The EB jointly manages the IDH group, which comprises various working entities, including their investment and advisory companies. The CEO is responsible for overall strategy and impact, whilst the CPO is responsible for overall programme design and delivery. The CFO is responsible for finance, control/compliance, HR, monitoring & evaluation and internal communication. The CPO will be a key executive partner to the CEO and CFO, whilst working closely with its own Programme Delivery Management Team. The CPO will report to the CEO, and will have an annual evaluation session with (a delegation of) the Supervisory Board.

Purpose of the Role

IDH works with partners to tackle challenges in global and local agricultural value chains, starting from the market perspective. In 2025, IDH Group is being formed to manage the portfolio of IDH’s working entities. The CPO is envisioned to work with the IDH global team and their private and public partners to design and implement the best possible interventions to create lasting change at scale by leveraging investment, company procurement and policy change.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the development of IDH’s programme strategy, shaping how IDH generates the greatest contribution to impact in partnership with others. This includes applying systems-change thinking and leveraging IDH’s skills, network, and financial capital to deliver better jobs, higher incomes, a healthier environment, and gender equality.
• Drive the delivery of the 2026–2030 programme targets, ensuring alignment with overarching outcome goals. In line with IDH’s strategy and evolving funding mix, this requires advancing programme delivery through continuous improvement.
• Foster high-performing programme teams under the CPO’s remit, including talent development and resource sharing across countries, clusters, value chains, and donors, while promoting knowledge exchange and cross-collaboration.
• Ensure programme effectiveness by monitoring performance, evaluating outcomes, and making strategic adjustments to maximise impact.
• Oversee KPI and financial management across programme teams and country offices, empowering them to take operational and financial ownership, maintain compliance, and collaborate effectively with the CFO’s business support functions.
• Manage strategic donor relationships, ensuring timely, proactive reporting on progress, outcomes, and impact contributions, while supporting fundraising efforts.

Skills and Experience

• 10 years of executive-level experience in international companies/development organisations with global operations, preferably in the agricultural sector.
• Deep understanding of private sector ways of working to deliver on business and sustainability targets.
• Understanding of impact investment and overseeing an impact investment portfolio.
• Experience working and managing operations in a non-profit context.
• Experience in managing and leading an organisation in an international and multicultural/diverse setting, with a strong focus on managing different legal entities and (donor) funding streams.
• Able to manage significant organisational change and balance delivery and business development.
• An engaging team player who can inspire, further solidify and develop our programme design and delivery.
• Willingness to travel internationally, between 25-30%.
• Working and thinking at the M.Sc. / MBA level.
• Fluency in English is required.