Protection Program Manager

At Save the Children we pride ourselves on our will to embrace change and mould our programs to suit the ever-changing needs of communities across PNG and the Pacific. You will provide leadership in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) initiatives aimed at strengthening program quality for betterment of children’s lives at community and national levels. We don’t shy from new ideas; we need you to stir things up.

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 PNG, Pacific, Australia 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 full-time maximum term position based in Port Moresby, you will be responsible for the overall design and implementation of MEAL initiatives across all Save the Children projects, and work in close collaboration with the project staffs during the process. You will be part of the Extended Senior Management Team and report to our Program Development and Quality Director.

You will make an impact by:

• Ensuring that all projects under the protection portfolio are effectively managed on time, within budget, and with quality, through direct management and/or management of project leads.
• Ensuring all protection project budgets are properly forecasted and reviewed monthly; review transaction listings, monitor and address variances within SCA and donor requirements.

• Leading on or contribute to child protection assessments as required for development or humanitarian programming, in collaboration with internal and external teams, ensuring that results are accurate, disaggregated and representative of diverse groups.

• Maintaining strong relationships with key protection stakeholders, including religious and traditional leaders, government, UN, relevant CSOs and NGOs, academic institutions and the private sector.

• Maintaining a child-safe environment at the workplace and safeguard children’s rights, acting in the best interests of children at all times, as well as safeguarding all beneficiaries.

Does this sound like you?

• You have the ability to multitask, work under pressure and to meet tight deadlines, responsive to requests and a strong team player. You have relationship building, negotiation and organizational skills. You are able to liaise with and present to a diverse range of stakeholders. You have experience in working in a similar program management role. You have a Master’s or Post Graduate Degree in social sciences, social work or related field. 12 years of progressive experience in protection programming, ideally in child protection, gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response, youth engagement, and safeguarding. At least six (6) of these years in a management and senior leadership position.

This role requires:

• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering programming in the protection sector; and/or serving in a technical advisory role.
• Engaging in project reviews, learning and reflection sessions, and knowledge-sharing activities to promote continuous improvement.
• Representing Save the Children in relevant meetings and forums when required.

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:

• Opportunity to work on additional projects alongside business as usual
• Individual learning plans to assist in your career development
• Internal employment and development opportunities
• Support for workplace wellness, including access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Competitive salary + super

Sound interesting?

We’d love to hear from you. Submit your cover letter and resume to:

The Hiring Manager

Save the Children

CHM Corporate Park One Building

Level 1, Suite 6 - 7

P O Box 503, Boroko

National Capital District

Applications close on 8^th August 2025. 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.

For more information about this position, please contact [email protected]