Stephanie Draper, chief executive of the NGO umbrella body Bond, is to step down in the autumn.
Draper, who has led the charity since 2019, is leaving to take up another charity role, which is expected to be announced next week.
In a statement, Bond said Draper had steered the sector through a “critical period”, including the pandemic, cuts in the UK aid budget, and the merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development.
“I have loved my time at Bond and working with such a talented and diverse group of members,” said Draper.
“I care passionately about our purpose and mission, the exciting and important work that we are doing and our direction of travel that I believe to be the right one.
“I will be sad to leave but know the time is right. Going forward, I will be using my strengths in a different way to contribute to the systems change needed to get to a just and sustainable future.”
Founded in 1993, Bond connects more than 400 organisations working in international development worldwide.
Its total income was £3.8m for the financial year ending March 2022, with an expenditure of £3.4m, according to its accounts.
The charity has 43 employees and 13 trustees.
Bond said it would begin the process of recruiting its next chief executive in the coming weeks.
Kate Sayer, chair of Bond’s board of trustees, said: “The board is hugely grateful to Stephanie for the contribution she has made to furthering our mission as a charity and ensuring that we have an engaged membership.
“We wish her all the best in her next challenge.”