Senior Program Manager, Seafood (Fixed-Term Contract) at the Freedom Fund: Lead the Fight Against Forced Labour in Global Seafood Supply Chains
The Freedom Fund is seeking an experienced Senior Program Manager, Seafood to lead one of the world’s most impactful human rights initiatives aimed at eliminating forced labour and human trafficking within the seafood industry across the Asia-Pacific region. Based in London, this fixed-term leadership position offers a competitive salary of £64,348–£66,042 per year, generous benefits, international travel opportunities, and the chance to influence global policy while protecting vulnerable workers.
For professionals passionate about human rights, ethical supply chains, labour rights, philanthropy, and international development, this is an exceptional opportunity to lead high-impact programs that create lasting change.
About the Freedom Fund
The Freedom Fund is a global leader in the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking. Through strategic investments, partnerships, and community-led interventions, the organization works to end exploitation by supporting frontline organizations, strengthening worker protections, and influencing governments and businesses to improve labour standards.
Working alongside governments, civil society organizations, international NGOs, philanthropic partners, and the private sector, the Freedom Fund develops innovative solutions that address the root causes of exploitation while empowering vulnerable communities.
Its programs span multiple countries and industries, with a strong focus on sustainable systems change rather than temporary interventions.
About the Asia-Pacific Seafood Program
More than 70% of the world’s seafood is produced in Asia, making the region central to global seafood supply chains. Unfortunately, it is also one of the regions most affected by forced labour, human trafficking, debt bondage, and labour exploitation.
In partnership with Humanity United (HU), the Freedom Fund has established an ambitious regional program that seeks to transform seafood supply chains by strengthening worker protections and preventing businesses from shifting sourcing to countries with weaker labour standards.
The program currently supports:
- Nine grassroots partner organizations in Indonesia
- Strategic grants across Thailand and the wider Asia-Pacific region
- Global advocacy initiatives
- Research and evidence-building
- Collaboration with international donors and businesses
Through these investments, the Freedom Fund aims to create an “encircling effect” that raises labour standards across the seafood sector and protects workers throughout interconnected supply chains.
About the Senior Program Manager Role
The Senior Program Manager, Seafood serves as the overall strategic leader for the Asia-Pacific seafood portfolio.
Working closely with Humanity United, the successful candidate will oversee:
- Regional strategy development
- Grant-making
- Program implementation
- Budget management
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Stakeholder engagement
- Donor reporting
- Team leadership
This is far more than a traditional program management position. It combines leadership, philanthropy, policy engagement, research oversight, partnership development, and international representation into one influential role.
The successful candidate will begin in September 2026, with the contract running until December 2028, and the possibility of extension based on future funding.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
The Senior Program Manager will provide overall direction for the seafood program across Indonesia, Thailand, and other locations within the region.
Key strategic responsibilities include:
- Leading regional investments
- Reviewing and updating hotspot strategies
- Collaborating with Humanity United on long-term planning
- Coordinating implementation reviews
- Conducting joint field visits
- Preparing reports for governing boards
- Providing expert guidance on seafood sector developments
The role requires balancing strategic thinking with practical implementation while ensuring all activities remain aligned with the Freedom Fund’s mission.
Grant-Making and Portfolio Management
A significant portion of the role involves managing one of the Freedom Fund’s largest grant portfolios.
Responsibilities include:
- Leading Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
- Reviewing funding applications
- Negotiating grant agreements
- Managing grant contracts
- Monitoring financial compliance
- Approving grant payments
- Reviewing partner reports
- Managing portfolio budgets
- Forecasting financial performance
The Senior Program Manager ensures every investment contributes effectively toward reducing forced labour across seafood supply chains.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
Evidence-based programming is central to the Freedom Fund’s work.
The successful candidate will:
- Measure program performance
- Oversee monitoring systems
- Commission independent evaluations
- Support academic research
- Promote learning among partners
- Share findings with communications teams
- Strengthen evidence for future interventions
By combining rigorous evaluation with continuous learning, the program can adapt and improve its impact over time.
Program Coordination
Managing an international program requires excellent coordination across multiple countries and organizations.
The Senior Program Manager will:
- Lead weekly coordination meetings with Humanity United
- Facilitate monthly regional program meetings
- Coordinate with Indonesia and Thailand teams
- Align seafood strategies with other Freedom Fund initiatives
- Work closely with the Head of Programs for Asia
Strong project management and organizational skills are essential for maintaining momentum across geographically dispersed teams.
Donor and Stakeholder Engagement
The Freedom Fund collaborates with a diverse range of international stakeholders.
The successful candidate will represent the organization by:
- Meeting donor organizations
- Building relationships with philanthropic partners
- Working with government officials
- Engaging private sector leaders
- Collaborating with academics
- Supporting journalists with evidence-based information
- Participating in international conferences
Events may include global gatherings such as seafood sustainability summits, labour rights forums, and United Nations-related conferences.
Excellent communication and diplomacy are essential for success.
Leadership and Team Management
The Senior Program Manager will lead a small international team responsible for implementing the regional seafood strategy.
Leadership responsibilities include:
- Managing staff performance
- Supporting professional development
- Creating an inclusive workplace culture
- Coordinating cross-functional projects
- Managing collaboration requests
- Overseeing project planning
The role requires an experienced leader capable of motivating teams working across different countries, cultures, and time zones.
Qualifications
The Freedom Fund is seeking professionals with substantial experience in international development and human rights.
Essential qualifications include:
- Eligibility to work in the UK without sponsorship
- At least seven years of international program management experience
- Strong understanding of labour rights and corporate accountability
- Experience managing program budgets
- Grant-making experience
- Monitoring and evaluation expertise
- Stakeholder engagement experience
- Experience working with frontline organizations in the Global South
- Strong report-writing skills
- Strategic planning experience
Candidates with experience in philanthropy will be particularly competitive.
Desirable Experience
Additional advantages include:
- Knowledge of the global seafood industry
- Understanding of anti-trafficking initiatives
- Systems-change experience
- Networks within international nonprofits
- Experience commissioning research and evaluations
- Strong relationships with philanthropic organizations
These skills will help the successful candidate build partnerships that strengthen long-term impact.
Salary and Benefits
The Freedom Fund offers an attractive compensation package.
Annual Salary
- £64,348–£66,042 per year
Benefits
Employees also receive:
- 10% non-contributory pension
- 25 days annual leave
- UK bank holidays
- Three additional Christmas holidays
- Generous learning and development budget
- International travel opportunities
- Flexible, mission-driven work environment
These benefits reflect the organization’s commitment to supporting employee wellbeing and professional growth.
Why Join the Freedom Fund?
This position offers the opportunity to shape global efforts to eliminate forced labour within one of the world’s most important industries.
You’ll work alongside leading experts in:
- Human rights
- International development
- Ethical supply chains
- Labour rights
- Philanthropy
- Research
- Government policy
- Corporate accountability
Few roles provide such a unique combination of strategy, leadership, international travel, donor engagement, and measurable social impact.
Tips for Applicants
To strengthen your application:
- Highlight leadership experience in international programs.
- Showcase grant management and donor reporting expertise.
- Demonstrate knowledge of labour rights or responsible supply chains.
- Include examples of managing multi-country partnerships.
- Quantify program budgets and grant portfolios you have managed.
- Emphasize monitoring and evaluation experience.
- Tailor your cover letter to the Freedom Fund’s mission of ending modern slavery.
Application Process
Applicants must submit:
- A current CV
- A cover letter (maximum one page)
- Contact details for two professional referees
Applications should be emailed in PDF format with the subject line:
Senior Program Manager, Seafood
Application Deadline
3 August 2026 at 9:00 a.m. (UK time)
The recruitment process includes:
- First-round interviews
- Technical assessment
- Final interviews
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Final Thoughts
The Senior Program Manager, Seafood position at the Freedom Fund is an outstanding opportunity for experienced international development professionals seeking to make a lasting impact on one of the world’s most pressing human rights challenges.
By leading regional strategies, managing multimillion-pound grant portfolios, engaging global partners, and strengthening protections for vulnerable seafood workers across Asia-Pacific, the successful candidate will play a central role in advancing ethical supply chains and combating modern slavery.
With a competitive salary, generous benefits, significant international exposure, and the opportunity to influence global labour standards, this role represents an exceptional career opportunity for professionals committed to creating a more just and equitable world.
Senior Program Manager / Senior Program Manager / Senior Program Manager
