BEST PNG is aimed at priorities from the National Education Plan and Addendum 2015-2020 (NEP) and is designed to align with - and complement - current and planned GoPNG and development partner investments. The BEST PNG program has the overall objective of improved lower primary student learning outcomes in mathematics and science in low performing provinces through strengthened pre-service and in-service teacher education, which includes expanded access to teacher training for female teachers and improved access to textbooks.

BEST PNG will be implemented by the NDoE supported by Save the Children the GPE Grant Agent for PNG. Other key stakeholders include UNICEF, the GPE Coordinating Agency for PNG, DHERST, Provincial Departments of Education (PDoEs) and church education agencies in targeted provinces and teacher training institutions.

Save the Children is no ordinary not-for-profit.

We're ambitious, creative and outspoken. We stand up for children's rights. We want all children to be educated, healthy and live a life free from violence. We run programs in Papua New Guinea and overseas and, if there's a disaster - like an earthquake, drought or conflict - we are there on the ground.

Where you come in:

In this unaccompanied 2-year fixed-term opportunity, based in Port Moresby, you will provide management and technical leadership and oversight of BEST PNG project and ensure the successful delivery of BEST PNG project activities with the national department of education, stakeholders and several provincial departments of education. The GPE BEST PNG Program Manager is responsible for timely delivery of quality outputs and outcomes under the GPE BEST Program in conjunction with NDoE. The Program Manager will be accountable to the Secretary/NDoE and under the supervision of the Deputy Secretary, School &Education Standards (DS/S&ES) of the NDoE with dual reporting to, Save the Children in PNG, the GPE Grant Agent. The PM will be responsible for the following day-to-day management, planning and reporting tasks corresponding to the implementation of all the Program components as well as the fiduciary and safeguard compliance.

You will make an impact by:

• Identifying opportunities to grow and strengthen the education outcomes with the national and provincial department of education
• Supporting and monitoring the strategic direction of education in the national education plan
• Supporting the development and implementation of MEAL activities including communicating impact and lessons learned from education program

Does this sound like you?

…You are a patient and pragmatic education practitioner who has highly developed interpersonal skills and cultural awareness. Effectively communicating and engaging with diverse populations, you can influence positively-tense situations to enable successful solutions. Persistence, focus, initiative and passion see you achieve objectives in difficult circumstances. Your development experience at a country level will see you channel your expertise to the betterment of children and families.

This role requires:

• Ideally more than 10 years' experience and familiarity with Government operations and procedures;
• Strong project management skills and demonstrated experience in managing complex projects with multiple partners especially government agencies, private learning institutions and government line ministries.
• Strong knowledge of teacher professional development especially pre-service and in-service training, curriculum development including delivery of teacher trainings and resources.
• Good familiarity with the education environment and primary education coalitions at national and international level with an understanding of the PNG education system at both national and provincial levels
• Experience in managing GPE grants with national department of education highly desirable.
• Extensive knowledge in the fields of financial management, procurement management, and monitoring and evaluation;
• A willingness to travel to provincial locations within PNG
• Experience of Papua New Guinea and Melanesian Tok Pisin highly desirable

Working at Save the Children is more than just a job.

It's the feeling of knowing that your work is contributing to making the world a better place for children and working with others who feel the same. In addition to a connection to social causes, you will have access to:

• Accommodation + basic utilities (unaccompanied position)
• Mobilisation and demobilisation support
• Health insurance
• Annual leave return flights
• A friendly and supportive work environment

A position description is attached.