Position Title: Program Officer, Inclusion – Morobe Province

Location: Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea
Project: USAID Peace Project – IR2 Citizens’ Participation in Good Governance Strengthened
Reports To: Papua New Guinea IR2 Team Lead

Position Summary:

The Program Officer, Inclusion, will be responsible for leading the implementation of specific project activities aimed at promoting inclusion in Morobe province. This role includes providing technical support to local consultants and partners, ensuring that activities are executed according to the project workplan, and maintaining effective relationships with local stakeholders. The Program Officer will collaborate closely with the IFES Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Specialist and the Youth Inclusion Specialist to deliver training and mentoring sessions under the USAID Peace Project. The Program Officer will also work with the IFES global security manager to monitor and manage programmatic and security risks.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Program Implementation:
• Lead the implementation of assigned project activities, ensuring alignment with the project workplan and objectives.
• Provide backstop and technical support to local consultants and partners to ensure successful execution of project tasks.
• Monitor the progress of inclusion-related activities and report any challenges or deviations to the IR2 Team Lead.
2. Inclusion Initiatives:
• Work with the IFES Gender Specialist and Youth Inclusion Specialist to localize IFES trainings for Morobe province.
• Facilitate training sessions, workshops, and other activities designed to promote gender equality and youth inclusion.
• Mentoring program participants and overseeing project initiatives conducted by local partners.
3. Stakeholder Engagement:
• Maintain strong relationships with local stakeholders, including civil society organizations (CSOs), community leaders, and government officials, to ensure their active participation in project activities.
• Support decision-makers and community leaders in understanding and applying principles of inclusion in their work.
4. Monitoring and Reporting:
• Ensure that all inclusion-related activities are documented and reported according to the terms of the award.
• Provide regular updates and reports to the IR2 Team Lead on the status of inclusion-related activities and any potential risks.
5. Risk Management:
• Collaborate with the IFES global security manager to monitor and manage programmatic and security risks associated with inclusion activities in Morobe.
• Ensure that all project activities are conducted in a safe and secure manner, adhering to IFES and USAID security protocols.
6. Team Collaboration:
• Work closely with other members of the IFES team, including the Gender Specialist, Youth Inclusion Specialist, and IR2 Team Lead, to ensure cohesive and coordinated project implementation.
• Actively participate in team meetings, providing insights and updates on inclusion-related activities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, gender studies, international development, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in program implementation, preferably in gender, youth, or inclusion-focused projects.
• Strong understanding of gender equality, women’s empowerment, and youth inclusion principles.
• Experience working with local stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and civil society organizations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in diverse cultural settings.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and work under pressure.
• Familiarity with USAID regulations and compliance requirements is a plus.
• Fluency in English and Tok Pisin is required.

Application Process:

Interested candidates meeting the above requirements should submit a CV, cover letter detailing qualifications for the position (no more than a page in length), and name/contact details of three (3) referees to png-conf@ifes.org with “Program Officer, Inclusion - Morobe” in the subject line of your email.

The closing date for applications is Monday 30^th Spetember 2024

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.