Head of Programs

CHILD FUND PAPUA NEW GUINEA

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Head of Program / Program Director ( open for PNG Nationals and International Candidates)

Department: Program

Reports To: Country Director

Location: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Direct Reports: Program Managers / Technical Managers / Project Managers

Position Type: Full-time

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

ChildFund Papua New Guinea is the representative office of ChildFund Australia, an international development organisation working to reduce poverty for children and young people in developing communities.

ChildFund PNG works in partnership with communities, government, civil society and other stakeholders to create sustainable change that enables vulnerable children and young people to realise their rights and reach their full potential.

ChildFund PNG implements programs across education, child protection, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, resilience and other areas relevant to children and young people.

HOW WE VALUE YOUR CONTRIBUTION

At ChildFund, you will contribute to our vision of a world where all children and young people can say:

“I am safe. I am educated. I contribute. I have a future.”

The Head of Program / Program Director provides strategic and operational leadership across ChildFund PNG's program portfolio, ensuring that programs are high quality, evidence based, inclusive, accountable and focused on sustainable outcomes and impact for children and young people.

The position plays a key role in strengthening program quality, developing strategic partnerships, supporting program innovation and growth, and ensuring ChildFund PNG delivers its commitments to children, communities, partners and donors.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Head of Program / Program Director provides strategic leadership and overall management of ChildFund PNG's program portfolio.

The position is responsible for ensuring that programs are aligned with ChildFund PNG's strategy, donor commitments and relevant national priorities, and that program teams have the leadership, systems and support required to deliver quality outcomes.

The position will provide leadership across program design, implementation, quality assurance, MEAL, learning, partnerships, program development and resource mobilisation.

Working closely with the Country Director and Senior Management Team, the Head of Program / Program Director will ensure program risks and performance issues are identified early, appropriate decisions are made and corrective action is taken.

The role will also strengthen a culture of program ownership, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement, with a strong focus on outcomes and impact.

KEY DUTIES

Program Strategy and Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership and overall oversight of ChildFund PNG's program portfolio.
• Translate the ChildFund PNG Country Strategy into a coherent and prioritised program portfolio.
• Ensure programs are aligned with ChildFund's strategic priorities, government priorities, donor requirements and the needs of children and communities.
• Lead regular review of the program portfolio to assess performance, relevance, sustainability, risks and opportunities.
• Provide strategic advice to the Country Director and Senior Management Team on program priorities, risks, opportunities and emerging issues.
• Ensure program decisions are informed by evidence, learning and the changing operating context.
• Promote a strong focus on program outcomes, impact, quality and sustainability.

Program Quality and Delivery

• Provide overall oversight of program delivery and ensure projects are implemented in accordance with approved plans, budgets, agreements and quality standards.
• Establish clear program performance expectations, milestones and accountabilities.
• Monitor program performance and ensure emerging delays, risks and quality issues are identified and addressed promptly.
• Ensure corrective actions are developed and implemented where programs are off track.
• Strengthen consistency and quality across ChildFund PNG's program portfolio.
• Ensure program teams effectively manage competing priorities and meet key donor and organisational commitments.
• Promote continuous program improvement and adaptive management.

Program Design and Development

• Lead and support the development of new program concepts, proposals and program strategies.
• Identify opportunities for program growth, innovation, partnership and resource mobilisation.
• Ensure new programs are based on evidence, community needs and ChildFund's strategic priorities.
• Strengthen the integration of cross-cutting priorities including GEDSI, safeguarding, child protection, climate resilience and localisation.
• Ensure program design includes clear theories of change, results frameworks, indicators and mechanisms for measuring outcomes.

MEAL, Evidence and Learning

• Provide leadership in ensuring MEAL is integrated into program design, implementation and decision-making.
• Work closely with the MEAL team to ensure program plans and MEAL plans are aligned and actively used to manage program performance.
• Ensure program teams use data, evidence and learning to improve program quality and outcomes.
• Ensure monitoring, evaluations, assessments and learning are used to inform program adaptation.
• Promote a culture of learning and reflection across the program team.
• Ensure evidence of program outcomes and impact is captured and communicated effectively.

Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with government, donors, national partners, civil society, communities and development partners.
• Promote equitable, respectful and partnership-led approaches, recognising the leadership, knowledge and capacity of national and local partners.
• Ensure partnerships have clear roles, mutual expectations, shared accountability and appropriate support mechanisms.
• Strengthen localisation and national ownership across the program portfolio.
• Represent ChildFund PNG in relevant sector coordination mechanisms, donor meetings, technical forums and strategic discussions.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration and strategic partnerships that contribute to program outcomes and organisational growth.

Donor Management and Reporting

• Ensure program commitments to donors are effectively managed and delivered.
• Provide oversight of program reporting to ensure reports are accurate, evidence-based, timely and of a high standard.
• Ensure donor requirements, contractual obligations and compliance requirements are understood and addressed by program teams.
• Support the Country Director in maintaining strong strategic relationships with donors and development partners.
• Lead or contribute to donor negotiations, program reviews, audits and strategic discussions.
• Ensure lessons, challenges, risks and program results are communicated transparently to management and donors.

Budget and Resource Management

• Provide oversight of program budgets and financial performance in collaboration with Finance.
• Ensure program expenditure is aligned with approved budgets, implementation plans and donor requirements.
• Review significant budget variances and ensure timely corrective action.
• Support annual program budgeting, forecasting and portfolio financial planning.
• Ensure program resources are used efficiently and provide value for money.
• Work closely with Finance and Operations to strengthen program financial management and accountability.

Team Leadership and People Development

• Provide strong leadership to the program team and create clarity around roles, responsibilities and accountabilities.
• Build a culture of ownership, collaboration, accountability and respectful working relationships.
• Develop and strengthen the technical and leadership capacity of program managers and staff.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and constructive feedback.
• Ensure performance expectations are clear and performance issues are addressed in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Encourage program leaders to take ownership of program performance and decision-making.
• Support succession planning and development of national program leadership.

Risk Management, Safeguarding and Compliance

• Ensure program risks are identified, assessed, monitored and appropriately managed.
• Provide oversight of program compliance with ChildFund policies, donor requirements and relevant legislation.
• Ensure safeguarding, child protection, PSEAH and GEDSI are integrated across program design and implementation.
• Ensure safeguarding concerns and program compliance issues are escalated and managed appropriately.
• Promote a strong culture of integrity, accountability and responsible use of resources.

Organisational Leadership

• Contribute actively to the Senior Management Team and organisational decision-making.
• Work collaboratively with Finance, Operations, HR, MEAL and other functions to ensure effective organisational delivery.
• Contribute to organisational strategy, annual planning, budgeting and risk management.
• Provide program leadership during organisational change and transition.
• Promote effective communication and collaboration across functions.
• Represent ChildFund PNG when delegated by the Country Director.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Master’s degree in international development, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Program Management, Education or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years' relevant experience in international development, including significant program management and leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading a diverse and complex program portfolio funded by institutional donors.
• Strong experience in program strategy, design, implementation, quality assurance and program development.
• Demonstrated experience managing donor-funded programs and relationships with institutional donors.
• Strong experience in program monitoring, evaluation, learning and evidence-based decision-making.
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing program teams.
• Experience working with government, national partners, donors and other development stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection, GEDSI and partnership/localisation approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex priorities, risks and competing deadlines.
• Excellent strategic, analytical, communication and influencing skills.
• Senior management experience within an international NGO or development organisation.

SAFEGUARDING AND PSEAH

Remain alert and responsive to any child safeguarding or sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment risks; understand and comply with ChildFund's safeguarding and PSEAH policies and procedures; and promote safe and respectful environments for children, young people, staff, partners and communities.

The position has a particular responsibility to ensure safeguarding is embedded across the program portfolio and that program teams and partners understand and comply with ChildFund's safeguarding requirements.

CHILDFUND VALUES

The Head of Program / Program Director is expected to demonstrate ChildFund's values of:

Respect | Integrity | Collaboration | Change | Empowerment | Excellence

SKILLS

• Ability to provide strategic direction across a diverse program portfolio and translate organisational strategy into measurable program outcomes.
• Strong ability to oversee complex programs, identify performance issues and ensure timely corrective action.
• Ability to analyse complex information, assess risks and make sound, timely and evidence-informed decisions.
• Ability to build strong, equitable and accountable relationships with government, donors, national partners and other stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and motivate teams, provide clear expectations, manage performance and build leadership capability.
• Ability to identify funding opportunities and contribute to high-quality program proposals and strategic donor engagement.
• Ability to use evidence, data and learning to strengthen program quality, demonstrate impact and inform strategic decisions.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with senior management, donors, partners and staff.
• Ability to lead and support teams through organisational and program changes while maintaining clarity, trust and accountability.
• Ability to work effectively across Program, MEAL, Finance, Operations, HR and other functions to achieve organisational priorities.
• Demonstrates sound judgement, high integrity, responsible stewardship of resources and commitment to ChildFund policies, values and standards.