WHO ARE WE?

Sago Network is a not-for-profit, non-government organisation that has been working in Papua New Guinea (PNG) since 2008. Our aim is to strengthen lives in PNG by improving water, sanitation and hygiene standards at a community level. Sago Network partners with local communities in PNG to address basic access to safe drinking water and safe sanitation.

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 rural communities. Our current programmes include:

• Community lead water and sanitation 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

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Sago Network is seeking a pragmatic, passionate person with expertise and drive to join our WASH programme team, to oversee the delivery and management of our AHP WASH Programme in Papua New Guinea. We are seeking a diligent and organised individual who has strong interpersonal skills, displays high level of initiative, problem-solving skills, is experienced in management and leadership and also works well as part of a team. It is essential that applicants for this role have the right to work in Australia.

THE ROLE

The Programme Coordinator will be employed by Sago Network, working within the Aerial Health Patrol (AHP) programme to oversee, manage and carry out a comprehensive water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and health programme in Western Province, Papua New Guinea. The Programme Coordinator will work closely with the Sago Network CEO and WASH Manager to strategies, strengthened and develop the AHP WASH programme over time.

The Programme Coordinator will be required to innovatively write new chapters of the rural WASH Programme, building upon work that has already been carried out. The role will oversee all practical and daily elements of the programme, ensuring standards, requirements and quality is upheld at all times by the Sago Network WASH team in the field. The role will include financial responsibilities and programme budget management as well as the oversight of data collection, water testing and reporting using the mWater system and M&E databases. The Programme Coordinator will also oversee all logistical elements of the programme and manage the procurement and transport of programme materials.

The Programme Coordinator will manage a team of 10 – 20 PNG staff and will thus require experience in managing intercultural teams, across countries and locations. The role will also oversee recruitment, induction and training of new staff as the service expands.

The Programme Coordinator will report directly to the CEO and will be a key conduit of communication between the AHP WASH team, PNGSDP, other AHP partners and Sago Network senior management. Within the PNGSDP - Sago Network – AHP partnership, the Programme Coordinator will be Sago Network’s main management representative, acting as the key contact person for partnership correspondence. The Programme Coordinator will also represent Sago Network at partner meetings, interagency gatherings, cluster meetings and relevant networking and sector events.

The role will be based out of the Sydney office but will require frequent travel, usually every 1 – 3 months between Australia and PNG, as well as travel into remote and isolated locations when in PNG. At times the Programme Coordinator will travel via small aircraft, dinghy, 4WD and helicopter and stay in rural communities with very simple living conditions and limited access to basic services. Trips in PNG are usually between 1 – 2 weeks in length but may at times vary between 3 – 4 weeks depending on the need.

A position description is attached.