WHO ARE WE?

Sago Network is a not-for-profit, non-government organisation that was established in Australia in 2011. Our aim is to strengthen lives in Papua New Guinea (PNG) by improving water, sanitation, health, and hygiene standards at a community level. Sago Network partners with local communities in PNG to improve community health and well-being.

Sago Network's programmes are focused on partnerships with rural and coastal communities who are committed to effecting positive change in their villages. Each project and programme undertaken by Sago Network aims to place local people at the centre of their own development process. Communities are empowered with the decision-making ability to shape the project or programme’s core objectives and are encouraged to make a meaningful contribution toward their achievement. The team values process and professionalism as highly as product, always seeking to undertake a process that is inclusive and capacity-building in nature.

Sago Network prides itself in being an efficient, nimble, and innovative organisation that delivers professional and impactful programmes to PNG communities in need. Our current programmes include:

• Community lead water, sanitation, and health programmes.
• The development and distribution the Sago Dry Toilet (SDT), dehydration toilet system.
• Planning and strategic consultancy.
• Participation in the Aerial Health Patrol (AHP) programme - Western Province.

THE ROLE

The Programme Coordinator will be employed by Sago Network, working within the greater AHP programme to oversee, manage and carry out a comprehensive WASH programme in Western Province, Papua New Guinea. The Programme Coordinator will report directly to the Sago Network CEO and work closely with WASH Managers and other AHP Managers to strategies, strengthened and develop the AHP WASH programme and AHP service over time.

The Programme Coordinator will be responsible for the everyday running as well as forward planning for the WASH programme’s ongoing development. Daily the role will require the individual to ensure the quality of the WASH programme is maintained namely by the proper training and management of PNG staff and managers from recruitment, to rostering to logistics. On a long-term basis, the role will require strategic thinking regarding the introduction of new education programme’s and their best implementation. The Programme Coordinator will be a key conduit of communication between the wider AHP WASH team, other AHP partners and Sago Network senior management. The role will also require representing Sago Network at partner meetings, interagency gatherings, cluster meetings and relevant networking and sector events as required.

The role will be based out of the Sydney office in Australia but will require frequent travel, usually every 3 or 4 months, between Australia and PNG, as well as travel into remote and isolated locations when in PNG. The Programme Coordinator must also be willing and able to travel via small aircraft, dinghy, 4WD and helicopter and stay in rural communities with very simple living conditions and limited access to basic services.

A job description is attached.