Program Officers undertake a range of research, policy and program management tasks at Edge Effect and may work across different development and humanitarian projects. This position is tied to the PRISM project on LGBTIQ+ child protection in refugee and forced displacement contexts which runs until September 2025.

The project is led by Save the Children and Edge Effect is one of two subawardees, all working in close partnership. The Program Officer will implement Edge Effect’s assigned activities and coordinate with other partners, under the guidance of Edge Effect’s Head of Programs.

The Program Officer will also have support from a new specialist Training and Community Officer.

Examples of Edge Effect assigned activities include:

• Formation and leadership of the project community of practice, ensuring it functions effectively as a space for sharing, networking and developing resources.
• Development of tools and training resources on LGBTIQ+ inclusive child protection in refugee and forced displacement contexts, and contributing to broader knowledge sharing and policy/practice development.
• Ensuring that the project activities are accessible, engaging and affirming for LGBTIQ+ participants and organizations.
• Active participation in project management across the partnership.

There is little existing research, policy or practice on LGBTIQ+ child protection in the development or humanitarian sectors in general and in refugee and forced displacement contexts specifically.

Therefore, the Program Officer is not expected to have all the answers or to have deep experience in this specific work area. However, they must have enough adjacent experience to undertake the project tasks. They will also need to pursue solutions with energy and rigour, noting that developing policy and practice in new areas can involve being vulnerable.

All Edge Effect staff also contribute to the health and growth of Edge Effect through collaboration on internal projects and through business development. While this position is tied to PRISM, the contract may be extended to include other projects.

Selection Criteria

The successful candidates will have skills and experience in the following areas, which MUST be addressed in the application template:

• Experience working on LGBTIQ+ projects in international humanitarian or development programs or closely related community development programs.
• Experience working on Child Protection or related child/youth or relevant protection projects with transferable skills and experience.
• Clear understanding of safeguarding in relation to working with children and young people.
• Coordinating communities of practice or other knowledge sharing and networking projects.
• Development and delivery of training materials.
• Development of programming tools and guidance materials.
• Project planning and management experience, including activity/budget tracking. Edge Effect uses the Asana task management system.

about you

Successful candidates will also have a range of soft skills with general applicability:

• Ability to manage time and tasks across multiple projects.
• Ability to work successfully across a range of cultural contexts.
• Ability to work independently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ethical and sustainable approach to conducting business.
• Practical problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of technology, including project management and standard office tools.
• Awareness of the broad social contexts in which Edge Effect works.

Edge Effect is a humanitarian and development sector organisation specialising in diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC, aka LGBTIQ+). We offer consulting services to governments, UN agencies, NGOs and CSOs to ensure that the rights, needs and strengths of people with diverse SOGIESC are addressed in humanitarian and development policy and programs.

Edge Effect also implements development and humanitarian projects in partnership with other LGBTIQ+ organisations. Edge Effect is a small but impactful organisation. We are based in Melbourne, Australia, but work globally and our staff live and work where they want and need to be.