Manager - Education Programs

CHILD FUND PAPUA NEW GUINEA

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Education Manager (PNG Nationals Only )

Department : Program

Reports To: Head of Program

Location: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Direct Reports : Education Program Coordinators

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 Education Manager will make a significant contribution by providing technical leadership and program oversight to ensure ChildFund PNG's education programs are high quality, inclusive, evidence-informed and focused on meaningful outcomes for children and young people.

The role will also contribute to strengthening partnerships, developing national capacity and ensuring that program learning and evidence are used to continuously improve education programs.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Education Manager provides technical and program leadership for ChildFund PNG's education portfolio, ensuring programs are relevant, inclusive, child-centred, evidence-informed and aligned with ChildFund's strategy, government priorities and donor requirements.

The position will lead and support effective program planning, implementation, program quality, MEAL, learning and adaptation. The Education Manager will work closely with the Head of Program, MEAL, Finance and Operations and program teams to ensure commitments are delivered on time and to the required quality.

The position will also build effective relationships with government, schools, communities, national partners and other stakeholders and promote equitable, partnership-led approaches to education programming.

KEY DUTIES

Program Leadership and Quality

Provide technical leadership and oversight across ChildFund PNG's education portfolio.

Lead and support program planning, implementation, review and continuous improvement.

Ensure programs are focused on Impact and outcomes.

Ensure education programs are aligned with ChildFund strategy, government priorities and donor requirements.

Monitor program progress against agreed outcomes, milestones, budgets and timelines and ensure timely corrective action where required.

Identify emerging program risks, challenges and opportunities and provide appropriate recommendations to management.

Provide technical advice to the Head of Program and Country Director on education priorities and program quality.

Education Technical Leadership

Provide technical guidance on education programming, including, as relevant:

foundational learning and literacy/numeracy;

inclusive education;

teacher and school capacity strengthening;

child participation and student wellbeing;

social and emotional learning;

climate change education and resilience;

GEDSI; and

community engagement, retention and participation in education.

Ensure technical approaches are evidence-informed, contextually appropriate and practical for the PNG context.

Support program teams to strengthen the quality and relevance of education interventions.

MEAL, Learning and Evidence

Work closely with MEAL to develop and implement effective program and MEAL plans.

Ensure programs have clear outcomes, indicators, targets and mechanisms for measuring change.

Promote the use of evidence and program data to inform decisions and improve program quality.

Ensure monitoring findings are regularly reviewed and appropriate corrective action is taken.

Document lessons, good practice and evidence of change.

Support assessments, evaluations, research and learning activities as required.

Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement

Build and maintain effective relationships with national and provincial education authorities, schools, communities, CSOs, donors and development partners.

Ensure clear roles, mutual expectations and shared accountability are established with partners.

Support partner capacity strengthening and localisation.

Represent ChildFund PNG in relevant education coordination forums and technical working groups.

Identify opportunities for strategic collaboration and partnerships.

Donor Reporting and Program Development

Ensure education programs comply with donor agreements, approved proposals, budgets and reporting requirements.

Lead and contribute to quality donor reports, proposals, concept notes and program updates.

Ensure program results, challenges, lessons and corrective actions are clearly documented.

Support the identification and development of new education funding opportunities.

Work with Finance, MEAL and Operations to ensure program expenditure is aligned with approved budgets and implementation plans.

Support donor visits, program reviews and audits.

Team Leadership and Capacity Development

Provide technical leadership, coaching and support to education program staff.

Establish clear performance expectations and accountability.

Support staff to strengthen their technical and program management capabilities.

Promote collaboration, learning, accountability and continuous improvement.

Encourage staff ownership of program quality and results.

Address performance concerns in a timely and constructive manner.

Safeguarding, GEDSI and Compliance

Ensure safeguarding and child protection are integrated into education program design and implementation.

Promote safe, inclusive and child-centred learning environments.

Ensure GEDSI is appropriately integrated into program design, implementation, monitoring and learning.

Ensure staff and partners understand and comply with ChildFund safeguarding requirements.

Escalate safeguarding concerns in accordance with ChildFund policies and procedures.

Budget and Resource Management

Support effective management of education program budgets.

Monitor expenditure against program plans and budgets with Finance.

Identify significant variances and support timely corrective action.

Ensure program resources are used effectively and in accordance with ChildFund and donor requirements.

Contribute to annual budgeting and forecasting.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Essential

Bachelor's degree in Education, Development Studies, Social Sciences, International Development or a related discipline.

At least 5 years' relevant experience in education program management, preferably in an NGO or international development environment.

Demonstrated experience managing complex education programs and teams.

Strong understanding of education systems and challenges in PNG or a comparable context.

Experience in program design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and learning.

Experience working with government, donors and national/local partners.

Experience in donor reporting and program compliance.

Strong understanding of child protection, safeguarding and inclusive programming.

Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and deliver against deadlines.

Experience working with DFAT, ANCP, UNICEF, EU or other institutional donors.

Experience in localisation and partnership-led programming.

Experience in inclusive education, foundational learning, SEL or climate-resilient education.

Experience working in rural an