Position: International Programmes Department - Operations specialist

Reporting Relationship: Head of International Programmes Department (IPD)

Location: hybrid working in Italy (home / Milan or Bologna offices), with travel to country offices as required, including short-notice field deployment where feasible

Type of contract: Fixed-term, full-time employee contract (12 months)

Deadline: 13/08/2026

Starting date: ASAP

The International Programmes Department (IPD) oversees all international programmes at both the country and regional levels. Within the Department, this role acts as the operational right hand of the Head of Department, ensuring country offices and cross-functional priorities receive timely, practical, high-quality support.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Reporting to the Head of International Programmes Department, and acting as their deputy on operational matters, this role provides hands-on operational support across a diverse portfolio of international operations. It filters and synthesises information from country offices and internal stakeholders,



follows up on agreed actions, supports decision-making and directly carries forward tasks that require coordination, judgement and momentum.

The post holder will be particularly involved in backstopping Ukraine and Afghanistan country offices, coordinating roving/surge capacity, supporting cross-departmental coordination and prioritisation with Partnership, Grants and Operations colleagues, and contributing to a time-bound initiative to strengthen IPD's internal tools and processes - while ensuring that urgent operational issues are escalated with clear options and recommendations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Country Office Backstopping and Operational Support
- Serve as the first operational filter for selected country offices, initially Ukraine and Afghanistan, and multi-country programmes (such as Akelius Language), ensuring that information reaching the Head of Department is concise, decision-oriented and

📌 International Programmes Department – Operations Specialist (Milano)
🏢 WeWorld
📍 Milano