Paid Positions

Program Manager – Pacific CIRCLE

Are you interested in a career in the international development sector, have experience in environmental programming and have a passion for women’s rights? Join our vibrant, dynamic team and help drive change for women living in poverty and exclusion around the world as our new Program Manager for the Pacific CIRCLE program.

16.12.25
  • Starting salary $90,900
  • Pitt Street, Sydney office location (remote working in Melbourne may be considered)
  • Hybrid environment with a minimum of two collaborative days in the office weekly

Who we are

ActionAid Australia is a global women’s rights organisation working to advance social justice, gender equality and poverty eradication. We partner with women living in poverty and exclusion to support their leadership and collective action to claim their rights.

Purpose of position

The position is responsible for the management and effective delivery of ActionAid Australia’s “Pacific CIRCLE: Empowering Resilience: Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Adaptation in Pacific Communities” program. This is a new regional program supporting climate resilience through nature-based solutions across four Pacific Island countries (Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga and Vanuatu) with a strong focus on gender equality, inclusion, and community-led adaptation.

The role will oversee program implementation, monitoring and evaluation, ensuring high-quality delivery, reporting, compliance, and stakeholder engagement. The role will works closely with partners in the Pacific to implement project deliverables, meet donor reporting requirements and contribute to learning and advocacy efforts aligned with project commitments.

Key roles and responsibilities

  • Manage the overall Pacific CIRCLE program with responsibility for delivery of grant requirements in accordance with the Kiwa Initiative donor requirements, AAA’s Programs Manual and a human rights-based programming approach.
  • Build strong relationships with partner organisations to coordinate and support program management. This includes coordinating activities, providing technical support, and ensuring compliance with donor and organisational standards.
  • Lead and coordinate program inception activities to establish clear plans, roles, and resources, ensuring a smooth and effective program start up.
  • Manage the program implementation schedule and track milestones against this plan to support efficient, transparent, and adaptive management.
  • Develop program narrative reports and collaborate with partners and AAA Finance team to ensure financial and program reporting are delivered within specified timelines to the donor (Agence France de D).
  • Support the development of the program monitoring and evaluation framework, collate content, analyse data, and synthesise complex information for donor reporting and knowledge products.
  • Facilitate clear, respectful, and effective communication and collaboration between ActionAid teams, partners, and stakeholders across the Pacific region.

Skills and competencies required

Essential

  • Degree in international development, environmental management, gender studies, or equivalent experience.
  • Significant professional experience in international development or environmental programming, ideally in the Pacific region.
  • A proven commitment to women’s rights, gender equality, and inclusion. This includes a commitment to ActionAid’s feminist values and human rights-based approach.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of nature-based solutions to climate change and gender-responsive programming.
  • Strong project management skills, including grant management, budgeting, reporting, and risk management.
  • Proven experience in building strong partnerships based on trust and mutual learning.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including experience working in cross-cultural and linguistically diverse environments.
  • An ability to work collaboratively and independently in a flexible team-based environment.

Desirable

  • Existing networks in climate, development, or gender sectors in the Pacific.
  • Experience in monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) and knowledge product development.
  • Experience working in Pacific Island contexts.
  • Experience with AFD-funded programs and familiarity with AFD standards.
  • Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and expertise applying Gender Equity, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) practices at the project level.

Travel requirements

Interstate and international travel will be required on a regular basis, subject to security restrictions.

 

Please find the full position description here.

How to apply:

Please email your application to [email protected], attaching a copy of your resume and a cover letter highlighting how you meet the above selection criteria.

Applications close 19 January 2026.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

ActionAid is an equal opportunities employer, and is always actively looking for applicants from a diverse range of genders, cultures, language groups, abilities, and experiences to apply.

To be eligible to apply for this position you must have an appropriate Australian or New Zealand work visa or be eligible to apply for one.