Reporting to:

Senior Health and Nutrition Program Manager

Work location:

Simbu/ ENB Province with 40% travel

Department:

Program Operations

Budget holder:

Yes, as delegated under the IDD

Grade

G6

Direct reports:

MCH Project Team

Save the Children is the world’s largest independent child rights development organisation, making a difference to children’s lives in more than 100 countries. From emergency relief to long-term development, Save the Children secures a child’s right to health, education, and protection. At Save the Children, we attract bright and big-hearted people who are inspired to make a difference. Together, we are fearless in our pursuit of making lasting change for the children and communities who need it most. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), Save the Children implements programs in the sectors of health, education, child protection, child rights governance, and livelihoods. Save the Children’s program portfolio includes Maternal Child Health programming, including most recently a project to improve maternal nutrition and maternal child health funded by DFAT in Simbu and East New Britain Provinces; and is therefore seeking a lead for this project.

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

The Maternal Child Health (MCH) Manager reports to the Senior Health and Nutrition Program Manager and will provide leadership and oversight of the DFAT-funded MCH project across Simbu and ENB Provinces. The MCH Manager ensures the technical support and oversight on all MCH program components. This will also include quality and timely delivery (within budget) of the project outcomes and contributing to staff-management, budget management and capacity building of provincial and facility-based staff across ENB and Chimbu provinces. The manager will also be required to contribute to additional MCH programming as relevant.

Key Responsibilities

Program Management

• Ensure that MCH outcomes are effectively managed on time, within budget, and with quality, through direct management of the project team.
• Technical knowledge of Labor-room management, ante-natal care quality improvement and active management of 3^rd stage of labor (AMTSL) together with experience working within L1 or L2 health facilities.
• Ensure that MCH programming is in line with current global practices adapted to the local context and based on sound evidence, using Save the Children’s common approaches where relevant.
• Maintain a holistic approach to MCH programming, understanding and strengthening the links between MCH and other health and nutrition programming, as feasible and relevant.
• Ensure all MCH programming meaningfully integrates principles of gender equality, disability and inclusion (GEDSI) at all levels, identifying and reducing barriers to access.
• Ensure that all relevant project method management (PMM) and mandatory tools are prepared, disseminated, and regularly updated as needed in line with project and/or external changes.
• Ensure that all project teams fully understand the MCH project design, objectives, deliverables, and intended impact, outcomes and outputs.
• Contribute to MCH technical and program briefs / communications as requested.

Budget and Financial Management

• Serve as budget holder (as delegated) and budget manager for the MCH program.
• Review and approve all financial transactions within delegated limits, ensuring the application of all financial and procurement policies and compliance standards.
• Ensure that the MCH program budget is properly forecasted and reviewed monthly; review transaction listings, monitor and address variances within SCA and donor requirements.
• Assist in the preparation of budgets for new MCH programs as relevant and requested.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) and Reporting:

• Work with the MEAL team to ensure that the MCH program has an updated log frame, MEAL workbook and data collection tools; ensure teams know how to use them.
• Work with the MEAL sure that program data is collated, analysed and used to assess project performance at all levels and to inform learning.
• Co-organize regular review meetings and learning events that use project data to ensure learning is used to guide project implementation, design, and adaptation.
• Lead on preparing MCH program donor reports and other official documentation in line with donor requirements and SCA quality standards.
• Work with the MEAL team to ensure that all beneficiary feedback and accountability systems are functional, accessible, and used, including by children and marginalized groups.
• Assist with MCH research or assessments required for development or humanitarian programming, in collaboration with internal and external teams.

External Relations; Stakeholder Management

• Maintain strong relationships with government and non-government stakeholders in Simbu Province and support the same in ENB Province.
• Represent Save the Children in key provincial coordination mechanisms as relevant to the sector.

Team Management

• Provide line management, mentoring, and coaching for the MCH team.
• Ensure that all team members have updated performance plans/reviews, and development plans based on identified capacity gaps. Facilitate regular 1-1 and (documented) team meetings.
• Ensure that all team members understand and comply with all Save the Children, donor, and other applicable policies, principles, and procedures, including mandatory trainings.
• Lead on recruiting new team members as relevant / appropriate. Ensure staff have completed all mandatory training and have up-to-date background checks.

Safeguarding Requirements

• Maintain a child-safe environment at the workplace and safeguard children’s rights, always acting in the best interests of children, as well as safeguarding all beneficiaries.
• Comply with the Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct and child safeguarding and protection. policies and standards, as well as all other related policies, including reporting requirements.
• Demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour towards children in private/professional life.

General

• Fulfill other management duties (such as Extended Management Team Member) as required.
• Be a role model for safety and security and comply with all workplace safety policies, procedures, work instructions and training, including all reporting requirements and processes.
• Participate in, and contribute to, health and safety awareness and improvements.
• Be aware of, document and manage the risks associated with the program activities, operations and workplaces, ensuring appropriate elimination or mitigation measures are applied.
• Any other relevant duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Child Protection and Safeguarding Requirements

• Maintain a child safe environment at the workplace and safeguard children’s rights, always acting in the best interests of children.
• Maintain compliance with Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, and PSEAH policies and reporting processes among staff and volunteers.
• Act as a role model by demonstrating highest standards of behaviour towards children in private and professional life.
• Never abuse the position of trust that comes with being part of Save the Children’s family.
• Maintain a safe and positive relationship when working with children and young people.
• Respond to any concerns for the safety or wellbeing of a child in a program in accordance with Save the Children mandatory reporting processes.

Health, Safety, Security and Risk Management

• Be a role model for safety and security and comply with all workplace safety policy, procedure, work instructions and training. Always act safely.
• Report all incidents, injuries and potential hazards in a timely manner.
• Participate in, and contribute to, health and safety awareness and improvements.
• Be aware of, and consider, the risks associated with one’s daily work and apply appropriate mitigation measures in line with Save the Children’s policies and procedures.

All roles at Save the Children contribute to our impact for children.

• At Save the Children, every role, whether in our programs or support services, plays a vital part in our impact for children. We are committed to creating a positive impact on the lives of children and their communities. We value the contributions of every team member in achieving this vision.

Person Specification

• It takes all types of people to do the challenging work we do. Here are some of the specific skills and experiences you’ll bring in this role:

Education Qualifications

• Post-Graduate Degree or the equivalent in experience in health services, public health, or related field.

Required Skills, Abilities and Experience

• At least eight (8) years of experience, with at least three (3) years in leadership positions.
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering maternal-child health or related health programs.
• Experience with a humanitarian or international non-governmental organisation is an advantage.
• A solid understanding and mastery of program logic and the ability to ensure quality implementation of detailed activity plans on time and on budget.
• Strong financial management skills and ability to use and analyse Excel-based financial reports.
• Strong experience working constructively with government partners. Excellent communication/ influencing skills; ability to effectively converse with both technical and operational stakeholders.
• Experience managing and building capabilities of diverse teams across multiple geographic locations. Ability to work harmoniously in cross cultural environments.
• Knowledge of the use of MEAL tools and data to produce reports and facilitate learning.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, prioritize and meet deadlines in a complex and challenging environment. Strong work ethic and willing to take responsibility for his or her actions.
• Solid computer skills including, but not limited to, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills both in English and Tok-Pisin; ability to produce high-quality reports and other documents in English.
• Ability/willingness to travel to project locations within PNG and operate in basic environments.

How to Apply:

Your application should include a cover letter (2 pages maximum) together with a current CV and contact details of two recent referees, Certificates and current Police Clearance Certificate obtained in the last 12 months.

Interested Candidates are invited to submit their applications via email to: [email protected]

Please address your application to:

The People & Culture Manager, Save the Children, PNG

PO Box 503, Port Moresby, NCD

Applications close on Friday 17 July 2026, please note applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and the vacancy may close prior to the deadline. So, we encourage you to apply soon

Kindly note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.