EL1 Program Manager

Job Description

Position: EL1 Program Manager

Location: Canberra, ACT (preferred) or remote

Start date: ASAP

Duration: Approx. 21 months with potential to extend for up to 2.5 years

Pay rate: Negotiable dependent on skills and experience

Security requirements: The successful candidate must be an Australian citizen at time of application and hold a minimum Negative Vetting 1 security clearance

Overview

Our Federal Government client is seeking an experienced EL1 Program Manager to support the delivery of a significant international development initiative focused on strengthening resilience to climate-related disasters across the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

The program works with partner governments, communities and implementing organisations to strengthen anticipatory and early action systems, build national and regional capability and mobilise targeted technical assistance to support sustainable and locally led outcomes.

This is a senior program delivery role requiring strong experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs and working across international development, humanitarian, climate resilience or related environments.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the day-to-day management and delivery of the program, ensuring activities are delivered on time, within budget and in accordance with agreed objectives.
• Coordinate governance meetings, annual work planning, budgeting, risk management, performance monitoring, reporting and delivery oversight.
• Manage relationships with implementing partners, technical advisers and service providers, including scopes of work, deliverables, timelines, contracts and performance.
• Support the ongoing development and implementation of program governance frameworks and strategies covering monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), climate, GEDSI, risk and communications.
• Coordinate technical support across areas including MEL, GEDSI, climate adaptation, communications, learning and locally led development.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with government stakeholders, partner governments, UN agencies, NGOs, regional bodies, research institutions and other relevant organisations.
• Engage with regional mechanisms, international finance institutions, disaster risk financing organisations and insurers to support predictable and pre-arranged financing for anticipatory and early action.
• Contribute to governance, coordination and regional policy forums, ensuring program priorities and lessons are represented effectively.
• Promote evidence generation, learning and knowledge sharing relating to disaster risk financing, anticipatory action, early action and systems strengthening.
• Identify communication and public diplomacy opportunities and coordinate clear and accessible communication materials.
• Embed GEDSI, First Nations perspectives, locally led development, safeguarding and climate considerations throughout program implementation, monitoring and reporting.
• Undertake other duties supporting the effective delivery of the program and the broader work of the team as required.

Experience/requirements:

• Demonstrated experience managing and coordinating complex multi-stakeholder programs, including work planning, budgeting, contract management, risk management, monitoring, reporting and adaptive program delivery.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with experience working across government, multilateral organisations, NGOs, the private sector, research institutions and/or regional organisations.
• Sound knowledge of international development and humanitarian programming principles, including results-based management, value for money, accountability, locally led development, safeguarding, GEDSI and climate integration.
• Understanding of climate and disaster resilience, disaster risk reduction, anticipatory and early action systems and disaster risk financing, ideally within the Pacific and/or Timor-Leste.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into practical delivery arrangements, including implementation plans, scopes of work, governance documentation, risk registers and performance frameworks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare high-quality advice, briefs, reports and communication products for senior stakeholders and external audiences.
• Strong judgement, interpersonal and problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Understanding of Australian Government international development, humanitarian and climate policy settings.
• Previous experience within a Federal Government international affairs or development environment is highly desirable.
• Commitment to safeguarding requirements, including child protection, prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, prevention of human trafficking, environmental and social safeguards, anti-corruption and ethical conduct.
• Willingness and ability to undertake domestic and international travel, including travel to the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

Apply now or contact SOS Recruitment on 6260 8888 for a confidential discussion.

PLEASE NOTE: Applications for this role will close on 17 September 2026. If your application is received after this date, we’ll be happy to keep your CV on file for similar opportunities that may come up. We encourage you to apply even if the closing date has passed.

SOS Recruitment is committed to workplace diversity and equity in employment. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disabilities, women, people with family responsibilities, and individuals from diverse cultural, linguistic, religious and LGBTIQ backgrounds.