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,

Employment type
Full Time

Work arrangement
No