Senior Program Coordinator - Food Systems

Job description
ABOUT LIVE & LEARN
Live & Learn Environmental Education operates in a Network of 11 countries across the Pacific and Asia, working passionately towards an equitable and sustainable world. Each Live & Learn office is autonomous yet interdependent, bound by a Network-wide commitment to developing community resilience around nature-based solutions to food security, climate change, and water resources and environmental protection. Working across scales, we support government strategies while meeting community needs. We are a localised, collaborative and courageous organisation working with diverse stakeholders, balancing sectoral compliance with flexibility for quick, innovative responses.
POSITION OVERVIEW
We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic project coordinator to join our Food Systems team. As the Senior Program Coordinator, you will report to and work closely with the Program Manager - Food Systems to deliver food and agriculture programs across key countries in the Pacific. The Senior Program Coordinator will engage with and develop meaningful relationships with country teams to facilitate effective program delivery and reporting. It is therefore essential that you demonstrate flexibility, exercise cultural and political sensitivity, have outstanding relationship-building skills, and possess the ability to develop and implement creative solutions in collaboration with the country teams in a complex operational environment.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Program Management

• Manage workflow across multiple programs and countries through office-wide platforms such as Asana, Google Suite, and others.
• Actively track and document activities and ensure adherence to work plans and progress reporting requirements.
• Ensure that Live & Learn approaches and systems are embedded into implementation.
• Support the co-ordination of in-country and regional activities.
• Oversee monitoring and management of activity risks and regularly update the project Risk Register.
• Budget management, including drafting and revision of budgets, quarterly forecasts, expenditure checks and variations.
• Negotiate and manage the process of procuring goods and services, including drafting Terms of Reference (ToR) and management of contracts and variations.
• Identify, manage and appropriately escalate issues to the Program Management Unit and other Directors towards effective resolution so their impact on the project and all stakeholders is minimised.
• Request for technical engagement expertise as needed.
• Manage and maintain assets in accordance with contractual requirements and Live & Learn policies.
• Ongoing management of contracts with suppliers as appropriate.

2. Stakeholder Management

• Manage partnership arrangements with Live & Learn country offices and escalate risks and emerging issues as appropriate.
• Provide briefings to new collaborators and partners on activities and maintain good relationships with all relevant stakeholders.
• Use constructive dialogue to mitigate conflict, communication issues, and seek resolutions with stakeholders.
• Engage in donor-related meetings including updates and provide minutes as appropriate.

3. Monitoring and Reporting

• Operationalise Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL) processes including scoping needs from other Directors and Contractors on an as-needed basis.
• Actively track and report on the achievement of MERL indicators and, as required, develop interventions for indicator shortfalls.
• Monitor activity progress and develop ways to adjust activities to sustain outputs and outcomes.
• Develop and lead the monthly Program Management Unit meetings within Live & Learn and quarterly country updates with donors.
• Prepare and deliver briefings whenever requested.
• Prepare reports in line with contractual agreements and donor requests.

4. Compliance

• Oversight of Live & Learn and sectoral Code of Conduct, Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS), Anti-Fraud and Money Laundering, Counter Terrorism, Safeguarding and Child Protection policies across the Food Systems program.
• Management of expenditures in line with contractual obligations and the Live & Learn Good Practice Manual.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA * Excellent program management skills, including an ability to plan ahead, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines, across all areas of the program lifecycle.

• Ability to work flexibly and autonomously while coordinating a range of complex tasks simultaneously and effectively.
• Excellent relationship and stakeholder management skills. Collaborative working style, demonstrating inclusivity, openness, and respect for plurality of perspectives.
• Knowledge, understanding and demonstrated ability to implement MERL processes.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS * Understanding of finance and budgets and the ability to integrate financial considerations into program planning.

• Experience working in the Pacific or within a development context.
• Tertiary qualifications in Agriculture, Agronomy, or Food Systems.

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS * This is a Full-Time position with flexible work practice available.

• Compliance with Live & Learn Code of Conduct, Child Protection, Counter Terrorism, Anti-Fraud and Money Laundering and all other project and organisational policies.
• Frequent travel to Pacific Island countries based on project needs.
• Detailed Terms and Conditions of the employment will be outlined in the Employment Agreement.
• Mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations.
• Satisfactory Police, Working with Children, and Terrorism checks are required for all staff working within Live & Learn.

WHAT WE OFFER
Live & Learn Environmental Education is composed of a team of passionate, diverse and experienced individuals around the Pacific and Asia. Our team is rapidly growing in order to provide a wide range of relevant expertise in the international development sector, from project management, water sanitation and hygiene, climate change, food security, gender and communications. We enjoy a collegial and supportive work culture, with flexible work hours and work-from-home arrangements depending on staff capacity and organisational needs. We travel frequently to provide support to teams in countries where we work while balancing our carbon emissions. We offer attractive remuneration with opportunity to grow, and a Salary Packaging scheme. We offer staff opportunities for personal growth, professional development, and a rewarding career in the international development sector in partnership with experienced colleagues across the industry.
How to Apply
To apply, please click on 'Apply Now' to submit your CV and Cover Letter expressing your motivation and interest in this position.
The top applicants meeting the selection criteria and desired qualifications will be invited for a round of interviews.
A position description is attached.
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