Project Manager

Project Manager

Funded by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation (GBRF), the GBRF Project Manager is responsible for establishing and managing the Resilient Reefs Pasifika Melanesian Hub and its small grants facility. The role leads project planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting, ensuring that grants support locally led action for reef resilience and that project deliverables are completed on time, within budget and to agreed quality standards.

The role works with government, academic institutions, civil society and community organisations to design and delivers an accessible and accountable small grants programme. It strengthens partners’ capacity to manage projects and resources, supports equitable partnerships and ensures that gender equality, disability and social inclusion, child safeguarding and safe programming are integrated throughout the project cycle.

The Project Manager works closely with the GBRF, the Hub Steering Committee, Save the Children programme, finance, operations, MEAL, partnerships and safeguarding teams, and relevant government and community stakeholders across the agreed Melanesian Hub coverage.

Working at Save the Children is more than just a job:

It’s the feeling of knowing that your work is contributing to making Vanuatu and the world a better place for children and working with others who feel the same. Benefits include:

• Opportunity to work alongside diverse and creative teams
• Individual learning plans, and internal development opportunities to assist in your career development
• Child friendly work environment
• Attractive renumeration package (Salary & Benefits)
• Paid Public Holidays

Where you come in:

As the Project Manager, you will work closely with the GBRF, the Hub Steering Committee, Save the Children Programme, Finance, Operations, MEAL, Partnerships, Communications and Safeguarding teams, and relevant government and community stakeholders across the agreed Melanesian Hub coverage.

Project Planning and Implementation

• Lead the development and implementation of the Hub workplan, budget and delivery schedule, in consultation with partners, Save the Children and GBRF.
• Oversee the full project cycle, coordinating activities, staffing needs and technical inputs to achieve agreed outcomes and deliverables.
• Track project progress, identify delivery challenges and agree timely corrective action with partners and relevant teams.
• Ensure project activities reflect community priorities, partner expertise and relevant national reef conservation and climate resilience policies.
• Maintain accurate project records and share workplans, decisions and progress updates with internal and external stakeholders.

Small Grants Management and Compliance

• Establish and manage the small grants facility, including accessible calls for proposals, application guidance, assessment processes and grant agreements.
• Develop and apply templates for concept notes, workplans, budgets, progress reports and final technical and financial reports, aligned with the GBRF Operations Manual and Save the Children requirements.
• Working with the Partnership Manager, coordinate partner due diligence and proposal reviews with relevant teams, ensuring transparent selection, appropriate risk assessment and documented decisions.
• Working with the Finance Manager, monitor grant delivery, expenditure and compliance with partner and donor agreements, and follow up on outstanding actions.
• Work with finance and operations colleagues to coordinate grant payments, procurement and financial reporting within approved budgets and delegated authority.
• Identify and escalate compliance concerns, financial risks and suspected misuse of resources promptly through the appropriate reporting channels.

Partnership Development and Localisation

• Develop and maintain equitable relationships with government, academic institutions, local NGOs, faith-based organisations and community groups, based on mutual accountability and respect.
• Support partners to lead project design, implementation and learning, recognising local knowledge and community leadership in reef management.
• Conduct capacity assessments and agree practical capacity strengthening workplans with grantees.
• Coordinate training, mentoring and technical support in project management, financial bookkeeping, reporting and monitoring; prepare terms of reference for specialist support as required.
• Facilitate meaningful participation of women, youth, people with disabilities and marginalised groups in grant opportunities and project decisions.

Programme Quality Inclusion and Safe Programming

• Work with technical colleagues to ensure grants use sound approaches to reef resilience and community engagement and meet agreed quality standards.
• Support partners to integrate gender equality, disability and social inclusion into project design, budgets, implementation and monitoring.
• Ensure partner staff understand and meet Save the Children requirements for child safeguarding, protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH), and safe programming.
• Support safe and appropriate participation of children and youth where relevant, ensuring their views inform activities affecting them.
• Ensure communities have accessible information about projects and safe, inclusive feedback and complaints channels, with safeguarding concerns referred through approved procedures.

Hub Governance and Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate establishment of the Hub Steering Committee and development and maintenance of its terms of reference.
• Provide Secretariat support, working with the Chair to schedule meetings, prepare agendas and papers, record minutes and follow up decisions.
• Coordinate project review and evaluation discussions with the Steering Committee and ensure agreed actions are reflected in delivery plans.
• Maintain effective communication between Save the Children, GBRF, grantees, government and other stakeholders; represent the project as delegated.
• Coordinate with other Resilient Reefs Pasifika hubs and relevant regional networks to share learning and support consistent implementation.

Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning

• Work with MEAL colleagues and partners to establish proportionate monitoring approaches, clear indicators and reporting schedules.
• Monitor grant results through regular partner engagement and field visits, using disaggregated data where relevant to assess inclusion and reach.
• Prepare high quality project narratives and reporting summaries and coordinate financial reports with finance colleagues to meet donor deadlines.
• Document lessons, case studies and community feedback, and use findings to improve grant delivery and programme quality.
• Support project reviews and evaluations and share evidence with partners, the Steering Committee, GBRF and Save the Children.

People and Resource Management

• Supervise assigned project staff and coordinate consultants, contractors and partner support personnel, providing clear objectives, guidance and feedback.
• Manage the project budget and resource needs with finance and operations colleagues, ensuring value for money and timely expenditure forecasting.
• Ensure commitments and expenditure are approved in accordance with Save the Children delegated authority and donor requirements.
• Promote a respectful, inclusive working environment and demonstrate accountability, collaboration and integrity.
• Perform other related duties as reasonably assigned.

Health and safety requirements

• Act in a safe manner at all times, including complying with all safety instructions and training given at the workplace
• Participate in, and contribute to, health and safety awareness and improvements
• Comply with emergency evacuation procedures
• Report all incidents, injuries and potential hazards in a timely manner
• Be aware of, and consider, the risks associated with your everyday work and apply appropriate mitigation measures

Child protection and safeguarding requirements

• Safeguard children’s rights and act in the best interests of children at all times
• Comply with child safeguarding and protection policies and standards
• Maintain a child safe environment at the workplace
• Demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour towards children in both your private and professional life
• Not abuse the position of trust that comes with being a part of the Save the Children family

Security and risk management requirements

• Be aware of, and consider, the risks associated with your everyday work and apply appropriate mitigation measures

Essential knowledge or experience

• Bachelor’s degree or postgraduate diploma in environmental management, environmental science, marine science, development studies or a related field.
• At least four years of relevant project management experience, including planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and reporting.
• Experience supporting local partners to meet project, financial and donor reporting requirements.
• Experience supervising staff or coordinating consultants and partner teams in a multicultural environment.
• Good understanding of environmental, economic and climate resilience issues facing Pacific Island countries and coastal communities, particularly in Vanuatu.
• Strong relationship building, facilitation and capacity development skills, with experience engaging government, civil society and community organisations.
• Understanding of GEDSI, child safeguarding and safe programming, and commitment to children’s rights and meaningful community participation.
• Strong written and spoken English, with the ability to prepare clear project reports and communicate with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to manage competing priorities and deliver quality results under pressure.
• Willingness and ability to travel to project communities and other Hub locations, including regional travel as required
• Proficiency in Bislama

Desirable knowledge or experience

• Master’s degree in a relevant environmental, management or development discipline.
• Experience working with NGOs on locally led conservation, climate resilience or community development programmes in Melanesia.
• Understanding of community-based reef and watershed management, and ability to coordinate technical expertise to assess natural and human pressures on these systems.
• Knowledge of relevant Pacific coral reef policy frameworks and national environmental and climate resilience priorities.

The role requires periodic travel to project sites and other offices, including remote coastal communities and possible overseas meetings. Fieldwork may involve extended periods outdoors. Some flexibility outside normal working hours may be required to meet project deadlines, in accordance with organisational policies.

This role requires:

• Ability to multi-task, work under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and respond to external requests while being a strong team player.
• Strong technical expertise in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) methodologies and tools.
• Proven project management skills, with experience in coordinating MEAL activities across multiple programs.
• Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and reporting, with the ability to utilize MEAL software and technologies effectively.
• Passion for empowering communities and ensuring their meaningful participation in programmatic activities through robust accountability mechanisms.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex data and insights in a clear and concise manner.

Sounds interesting?

We’d love to hear from you. Please submit your resume and cover letter via link provided, by 6th November 2026. We welcome and thank all applications, however due to the anticipated volume of submissions, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Save the Children Australia is a child-safe organisation. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check, a Working with Children Check where necessary, and sign our Child Safeguarding Policy, PSEAH policy and Code of Conduct.

At Save the Children, we seek a workforce that is as diverse as our society – in ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality, cultures and beliefs – and reflects the communities we work in. We believe diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our culture and core values and we demonstrate this commitment through all our employment practices. Our inclusive workplace culture contributes to making Save the Children a great place to work.