Program Director

Drive our program performance and excellence to improve outcomes for the children of Papua New Guinea (PNG). We are seeking an experienced Program Director to guide our team in delivering projects across various sectors of our portfolio. You will provide strategic direction and leadership support to the implementation of our project portfolio and actively seek opportunities for capacity strengthening of our team and partners. We are looking for big-picture thinkers who are also willing to roll up their sleeves to ensure the success of long-term, targeted impact for children.

We’ve been supporting communities in Papua New Guinea for 40 years, working across all regions, and are committed to be a platform for transformative and lasting change for children, their families and their communities.

Save the Children is no ordinary not-for-profit. 

We’re ambitious, creative and outspoken. We stand up for children’s rights. We want all children to be educated, healthy and live a life free from violence.  We run programs in the Pacific, Australia and overseas and, if there’s a disaster - like an earthquake, drought or conflict – we are there on the ground.

Where you come in:

In this full-time, permanent position, based in Port Moresby, you will work to ensure overall program management and quality delivery of Save the Children’s development and emergency response programs in PNG. You will be part of our Senior Management Team and report to the Country Director.

You will make an impact by:

·         Contributing to the strategic vision and direction of Save the Children programs in PNG.

·         Overseeing timely, efficient and effective development and humanitarian program implementation

·         Leading program management, field office, supply chain and MEAL functions and support the managers of these functions to deliver against their defined KPIs.

·         Establishing and nurturing constructive and collaborative relationships and networks among relevant government, donor, civil society, academic and private sector partners.

·         Leading the project teams in developing detailed project plans and supporting the delivery of programmatic and MEAL activities across the portfolio.

·         Monitoring and reporting of award (grant) management performance including the preparation and clearance of financial and narrative reports.

Does this sound like you?

You are a sound leader with at least 5 years of management experience preferably in an I/NGO environment, including experience in directing and implementing programs for children in both emergency and development contexts. You are flexible, resilient and adept at managing change and thrive on working in challenging contexts. You have highly developed relationship and interpersonal skills and value collaboration and partnership.

This role requires: non-negotiable requirements only (maximum 5 bullets)

·         Minimum of 5 years’ experience  in management roles within an I/NGO or similar in PNG/Pacific or a similar context

·         Demonstrated significant experience in health, education, protection, livelihood sectors in a developing country context.

·         Demonstrated management experience in program quality and MEAL functions

·         Sound program cycle management experience and ability to work in a complex organisation structure.

·         Knowledge/experience in humanitarian response

Working at Save the Children is more than just a job.

It’s the feeling of knowing that your work is contributing to making the world a better place for children and working with others who feel the same.

In addition to a connection to social causes, you will have access to

·         Individual learning plans to assist in your career development

·         Internal employment and development opportunities

·         Friendly and flexible work environment

·         Child-friendly work environment

·         Competitive salary + super

·         Full salary sacrificing benefits (as applicable)

·         Additional annual leave options available

For more information regarding our employee benefits, please follow this link.

Sound interesting?

We’d love to hear from you. Submit your cover letter and resume by clicking on the ‘Apply’ section.

Papua New Guinean candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submissions are highly encouraged to ensure full consideration.

Applications close 11.55pm AEST, Friday 5th April 2024.

Position Description: Program Director

Applications will be screened as received.

 Save the Children is committed to providing and maintaining a safe working environment for its employees and client groups, consistent with our obligations under OH&S legislation.

We have tested our application process with diverse groups in mind, with the intent to ensure it's straightforward and accessible for all to apply. Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our culture and improve our ability to reach our most vulnerable client groups. But we also know there is no one-size fits-all when it comes to recruitment - so if we didn’t quite hit the mark for you, please let us know! We’re dedicated to ensuring Save the Children Australia is a workplace suitable for all people and can modify our processes to suit you – no matter your race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, neurodiversity, culture and beliefs.

Save the Children Australia is a child-safe organisation. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check, a Working with Children Check, and sign our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct. We also support the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. You can read about the Scheme and our commitment to Safeguarding here.