Position Title: Program Officer, Local Level Government Support

Location: Tari, Hela 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, Local Level Government (LLG) Support, will play a key role in implementing the USAID Peace Project’s activities in Hela province. This position involves providing technical and logistical support to local consultants and partners, ensuring that project activities are executed in accordance with the workplan, and maintaining effective relationships with local stakeholders. The Program Officer will also work closely with the IFES Gender Specialist, Youth Inclusion Specialist, and global security manager to monitor and manage programmatic and security risks.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Program Implementation:
• Lead the implementation of assigned project activities, ensuring they align with the project workplan and objectives.
• Provide technical backstop support to local consultants and partners, helping them execute their tasks effectively.
• Monitor the progress of project activities and report any deviations or challenges to the IR2 Team Lead.
2. Support to Local Level Government Leaders:
• Facilitate training sessions, workshops, and public engagement activities with local level government leaders.
3. Community Engagement:
• Support decision-makers in conducting inclusive community consultations to inform their decision-making processes.
• Maintain strong relationships with local stakeholders, ensuring their active participation in project activities.
4. Monitoring and Reporting:
• Ensure all project 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 project activities and any potential risks.
5. Risk Management:
• Collaborate with the IFES global security manager to monitor and manage programmatic and security risks in Hela province.
• Ensure that all project activities are conducted in a safe and secure manner, adhering to IFES and USAID security protocols.
6. Collaboration and Communication:
• Work closely with other members of the IFES team to ensure cohesive and coordinated project implementation.
• Actively participate in team meetings, providing insights and updates on local level government support activities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, international development, public administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in program implementation, preferably in governance, capacity building, or community engagement.
• Strong understanding of local government structures and processes in Papua New Guinea.
• 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, LLG Support - Hela” in the subject line of your email.

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

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.