Program Manager

The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is Australia’s national human rights institution, dedicated to fostering a society where human rights are upheld, protected, and celebrated. We envision an Australia where every individual is valued equally in dignity and rights.

Our mission involves promoting and safeguarding the human rights of all Australians by:

• Advising all levels of government and various public and private organisations.
• Strengthening laws, policies, and practices while providing accessible investigation and conciliation services.
• Engaging inclusively with civil society, communities, and the private sector.
• Raising awareness about human rights and offering educational resources.
• Collaborating with partners to cultivate a culture of respect for human rights across the nation.

The International Engagement Team advances human rights globally through strategic international partnerships. The team delivers human rights technical cooperation initiatives, generally supported by funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 

We are looking for an experienced Program Manager to oversee the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of human rights international development programs. Working closely with internal and international stakeholders, you will ensure programs align with organisational objectives, meet grant requirements, and achieve sustainable outcomes.  

This full-time / part time, ongoing / non ongoing position offers a competitive salary range of $121,755 - $133,986 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation. 

We offer flexible, hybrid and remote work options.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead the design, planning, and delivery of human rights international development programs in alignment with the Commission and team strategy. 
• Collaborate with overseas partners, primarily from other NHRIs and government agencies, to develop work plans, budgets, and monitoring frameworks for program activities. 
• Oversee program implementation, seeking ways to continually improve initiatives to better achieve program outcomes. 
• Build and maintain relationships with partners, donors, other government agencies, overseas human rights actors, and development partners.  
• Represent the organisation in external forums, meetings, and conferences. 
• Ensure adherence to timelines, quality and compliance standards, and budget constraints. 
• Identify risks and propose mitigation strategies to address program challenges. 
• Supervise contractors, external program participants and staff. 
• Deliver training and capacity-building initiatives for local partners.  
• Promote a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning within the team.  
• Identify and develop proposals for new future international projects. 

What We’re Looking For:

• Significant experience managing international development programs (essential).
• Experience working in Southeast Asia and /or the Pacific (essential) and experience working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (highly desirable).
• Strong knowledge of human rights, international diplomacy, Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion, and sustainable development.
• Post graduate qualification in International Development, Human Rights Law, or related field (highly desirable). 
• Excellent cross-cultural skills and familiarity with human rights and decolonisation discourses across Asia and the Pacific.
• Demonstrated understanding and practice of locally-led partnership strategies and approaches.
• Extensive knowledge and demonstrated expertise in program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in complex international, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Demonstrated ability to provide direction and supervision to others and develop initiatives and ideas that align with the International Engagement team objectives. 
• Demonstrated relationship management skills which ensure partner/stakeholder interests (internal and external) are recognised and managed successfully.
• Excellent presentation, written and verbal communications skills, with an ability to communicate in plain English, and in culturally appropriate and accessible ways to diverse audiences.

Why Join Us?

By becoming a part of our team, you'll play a vital role in progressing human rights internationally and making a meaningful impact. If you’re ready to use your skills to support a cause that matters, we want to hear from you!

Apply Now! Help us shape the future of human rights in Australia. Join us in making a difference!

Applications close: 5pm AEST 21 September 2026  

Notes

We value inclusivity and diversity and seek people who support and model the behaviours we promote in our workforce. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations Australians, mature workers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, culturally and marginalised communities, carers, LGBTIQA+ and people with disability.

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS). An Agency Head may waive the requirement for citizenship prior to engaging an individual where it is appropriate to do so.

The Commission is committed to providing an accessible, inclusive work environment to enable people with a disability to participate fully in all aspects of employment. Applicants are encouraged to request reasonable adjustment as required to assist your participation in this recruitment process.

Please note that this position may be filled on either an ongoing or non-ongoing basis. If an offer of non-ongoing employment is made, the successful applicant would be employed for an initial period of up to eighteen months with the possibility of extension up to a maximum period of two years in total. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of eighteen months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies in the Commission where the duties are of a similar nature.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability.

How to Apply

Please provide a resume and a statement (maximum of 2 pages) outlining your interest in this position(s), your experience that would lead to impactful outcomes in the role, and the skills and capabilities you bring. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to fulfill the requirements of the role in an impartial and respectful manner as required by the APS Code of Conduct. The successful candidate will uphold the integrity and independence of the Australian Human Rights Commission.

As part of the recruitment and selection process, applicants will be required to consent to and undergo background checks which may include character and social media checks.

For more Information

Information about the role and Commission practices may be sought from Joanna Mansfield

 via joanna.mansfield@humanrights.gov.au