Programme Manager- Vanuatu

Reports To: Vanuatu Country Director

Location:  Port Villa, Vanuatu with travel to the islands

Contract Type: Full time – International or local position

Starting Date: ASAP

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary

The Programme Manager is responsible for providing strategic oversight, coordination and management of all country-based programs across the organization. This senior leadership role ensures integration and alignment of programs with organizational strategy, donor requirements, and community needs while maximizing operational efficiency, impact, and sustainability. The role requires strong leadership in program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation within complex humanitarian contexts.

Context

IsraAID is an Israel-based non-governmental organization that was founded in 2001 and has since its inception worked in emergency and long-term development settings in over 54 countries. IsraAID’s mission is to support people affected by humanitarian crises by partnering with local communities around the world to provide urgent aid, assist recovery, and reduce the risk of future disasters.

 

IsraAID has operated in Vanuatu since 2015 when the organization responded to Tropical Cyclone Pam, has since shifted its focus to implement a long-term strategy for all programs, including programs in WASH, protection, and health and nutrition. IsraAID’s work in Vanuatu promotes sustainable and inclusive solutions, giving special attention to hands-on training and community ownership, and working closely with community, provincial, and national leaders.

Responsibilities:

The Programme Manager leads and manages all integrated programs of the IsraAID Vanuatu Country Office. Working closely with the Country Director, the Programme Manager drives the successful implementation and running of the programs in alignment with the 2025 Vanuatu Country Office strategy.

 

The Program Manager will oversee the implementation of the program by ensuring that the Country Office’s work plan is executed using a cross-sectoral, context-appropriate approach to have a positive impact on the intended community. The Manager's ultimate goal is to contribute to IsraAID's strategic positioning in Vanuatu and ensure that the program is implemented in accordance with IsraAID's do-no-harm policy. The Programme Manager will report to the Country Director and have direct line management responsibilities over the Project Officers.

Strategic Program Leadership and Integration

• Lead the strategic planning, design, and development of integrated country programs that align with organizational mission, country needs, and global strategic priorities
• Ensure seamless integration across thematic areas (e.g., health, education, livelihood, WASH, disaster risk reduction) to create holistic, impactful programming
• Establish and maintain frameworks that enable cross-sectoral collaboration and prevent siloed operations
• Develop multi-year program strategies and annual implementation plans with clear objectives, outcomes, and indicators
• Guide country teams in adaptive program management to respond effectively to changing contexts and emerging opportunities

 

Programme Development, Leadership and Management

• Lead program management cycle from design to closure and ensuring delivery is in alignment with project budgets and donor compliance regulations and IsraAID's minimum criteria and in line with global guidelines.

• Manage program budgets and financial resources effectively
• Provide leadership, management, coordination, and technical support to the project teams

• Provide guidance and support to relevant HQ technical counterparts for targeted staff capacity building, ensuring local teams have the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their roles effectively. This will involve fostering a learning environment to promote staff professional technical growth.
• Prepare monthly reports capturing the progress and impact of the integrated programs.
• Identify potential new areas and programmes for IsraAID to implement in accordance with CO Strategy
• Draft and develop concept notes, proposals, and workplans.
• Contribute to advocacy efforts through collaboration with relevant key stakeholders at the national, district, and community levels.
• Monitor and evaluate project progress, ensuring compliance and quality standards.

 

Team Leadership and Capacity Building

• Guide Project Officers on the implementation of project activities, including workshop and training coordination, community mobilisation, community supervision and cooperation and other programme coordination.
• Foster a culture of continuous collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing among team members and stakeholders.
• In collaboration with HQ sector leads and specialised technical staff, support project officers to ensure quality of content development for each programme
• Develop staff capacity in program management, technical expertise, and leadership skills
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and learning across country teams to amplify successful approaches

• Maintain regular communication with Country Director and all programme staff.

 

Partnership Development and Networking

• Represent IsraAID in relevant forums, conferences, and cluster meetings and ensure visibility for IsraAID work on these platforms.
• Collaborate with relevant government departments to identify and address challenges.
• Maintain and establish strong partnerships with local communities, government agencies, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders to effectively deliver safe and sustainable services.
• Guide project teams to ensure continuous Community Engagement and Empowerment
• With support from the HQ-based technical experts, conduct needs assessments to identify the specific gaps and needs of local communities to ensure effective project designs.
• Empower local communities through capacity building, training, and awareness campaigns, ensuring their active participation in project activities.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• Create and execute robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to evaluate the outcomes and impact of programs and projects.
• Lead data-driven decision-making processes to improve program effectiveness
• With assistance from the MEAL Officer,regularly gather and analyse data to track progress, identify challenges, and make informed decisions to improve the program.
• Deliver comprehensive and timely reports capturing project activities, achievements, and challenges for both internal and external stakeholders.
• In coordination with the MEAL officer, develop and ensure the execution of project monitoring.

Safeguarding, Safety & Security

• Ensure child Safeguarding, Protection, and Gender Equality policies are maintained across project design, and implementation, and are applied to day-to-day team engagements.
• Ensures that comprehensive health, safety, and security measures (e.g. risk management plans, local security protocols) are considered in project design and implementation.
• Ensure that all partners engaging in IsraAID activities (training, partnerships, project delivery) are trained on and apply IsraAID policies in project-related work.
• Immediately report any health, safety, and security incidents or near-misses that occur on IsraAID duty to the CD/ Security Focal Point.

 

Any other duties as assigned by the Country Director

 

Compliance & Ethics

• As applicable to the position, maintain a clear understanding of IsraAID and donor compliance and ethics standards and adheres to those standards
• Contribute to the creation of overall credibility of the organisation, notably through the application of IsraAID’s code of conduct, ethics, values and standpoint with regard to internal and external actors
• Conduct work with the highest level of integrity
• Actively promote Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse standards within IsraAID

 

Sills Experience and Requirements

• Higher education in international development, social sciences/economics, psychology, social work or other relevant fields. Master’s degree preferred

• Minimum of 3 years experience of working in international development, humanitarian response, or with non-for-profit organisation, with proven experience implementing programs in development or emergency settings or at least 5 years experience in programme management with transferable skills
• 3-4 years of progressively responsible experience in program management with at least 1 year in senior leadership roles
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple complex, integrated program
• Proven track record of strategic program design, implementation, and adaptive management
• Experience working across multiple technical sectors and integrating diverse programming approaches
• Highly reliable, able to consistently meet tight deadlines and work in stressful environments
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment and make decisions independently following consultative processes
• Excellent financial management and budget oversight capabilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English including report writing experience
• Experience in working with local communities and capacity development of local staff and stakeholders.
• Ability to work flexibly in challenging situations.

• Pacific experience preferred

• Commitment to the aims and principles of IsraAID.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)

 

Ethical Standards:

IsraAID has zero tolerance towards any acts of misconduct and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. The recruitment process includes candidate declarations and reference checks focused on misconduct and SEA.

Equal Opportunities:

IsraAID is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.