Program Development and Quality (PDQ) Director

Job Posting Organization:
Save the Children Australia is a prominent non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families around the world. Established nearly 50 years ago, Save the Children has been actively involved in various regions, including Papua New Guinea, where it has made significant contributions to community development and child welfare. The organization operates in multiple countries, focusing on health, education, protection, and livelihood sectors, and aims to create transformative and lasting change for children. With a diverse workforce, Save the Children values collaboration and partnership, ensuring that its programs are relevant and impactful for the communities it serves.

Job Overview:
The Program Development and Quality (PDQ) Director plays a crucial role in driving program performance and excellence within Save the Children in Papua New Guinea. This position is responsible for guiding the team in delivering high-quality programs across various thematic areas, ensuring that the organization's strategic direction aligns with the needs of children in PNG. The PDQ Director will work closely with the Program Operations Director to enhance program integration and ensure that the organization's work delivers measurable impact. This full-time, maximum-term position is based in Port Moresby and is part of the Senior Management Team, reporting directly to the Country Director. The role requires a big-picture thinker who is also willing to engage in hands-on work to achieve long-term, targeted impacts for children.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The PDQ Director will lead the development of high-quality country and program strategies, advocacy efforts, and annual plans and reports. Responsibilities include engaging in relevant national and global networks, ensuring program relevance to children in PNG, and aligning with Save the Children’s global objectives. The director will oversee the design and proposal development of innovative, cost-effective, and child-informed emergency and development programs, ensuring that Save the Children has the necessary resources. Additionally, the role involves providing high-quality technical assistance and capacity building to all PNG country office programs, managing internal and external technical assistance, and establishing effective accountability mechanisms and processes across the region. The PDQ Director will also be responsible for fostering collaboration and partnerships with stakeholders and ensuring that the organization's work is accountable to children and other stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline related to social and international development, with a Master's degree being desirable. The position requires a minimum of five years of senior management experience in an I/NGO or similar environment, preferably within PNG, the Pacific, or a comparable context. Significant experience in Save the Children’s priority thematic sectors, including health, education, protection, and livelihoods, is essential. The candidate should demonstrate sound program cycle management experience and the ability to work within a complex organizational structure, managing diverse teams of national and international professionals while being culturally sensitive. Proven strategic thinking and planning skills, along with the ability to analyze, innovate, set priorities, and meet deadlines in a complex environment, are also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a tertiary qualification in social and international development or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of the complexities involved in program development and quality management within the context of international development and humanitarian work.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least five years of experience in management roles within an I/NGO or similar organization, particularly in Papua New Guinea or comparable contexts. This experience should encompass significant involvement in Save the Children’s priority thematic sectors, including health, education, protection, and livelihoods, particularly in developing countries and emergency/humanitarian contexts. The candidate should also have a proven track record in program cycle management and the ability to lead diverse teams effectively.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for communication within the organization and with stakeholders. Knowledge of local languages spoken in Papua New Guinea would be advantageous, as it would facilitate better engagement with communities and enhance program delivery.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time, maximum-term role based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Save the Children encourages applications from qualified Papua New Guinean candidates and emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its recruitment process. The organization offers a range of employee benefits, including individual learning plans, internal employment opportunities, competitive salary, and additional leave options. The application process is designed to be straightforward and accessible, and candidates are encouraged to submit their applications early, as they will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The deadline for applications is set for 11:55 PM AEST on Tuesday, 24th February 2026.