Director of Programs

Job Description

Location: Suva, Fiji, with international travel across the Pacific region and Timor-Leste

Program Background

Pacific Australia Skills is a significant Australian investment which stands to make a major contribution to supporting social and economic growth in the region through strengthening the skills and training sector across the Pacific and Timor-Leste. Pacific Australia Skills builds on the achievements of 17 years of Australian Government support for skills and training in the Pacific. Pacific Australia Skills seeks to maintain continuity and presence in operating countries, whilst at the same time, introduce a new approach and vision, with new partnerships, systems and delivery mechanisms.

Purpose of the Role

The Director of Programs is an opportunity for an experienced leader to join Pacific Australia Skills’ s senior leadership team and shape the overall program strategy and implementation of the new program design. The role will oversee programming in up to 17 countries across the Pacific and Timor-Leste, manage personnel responsible for country-level and regional programming and engage directly with a wide range of external stakeholders, including partner governments, Posts and DFAT Canberra to ensure a coherent, strategic portfolio of programming that is flexible and responsive, while achieving the End of Program Outcomes. Additional countries may be added to the portfolio. The Director of Programs will attract, guide and nurture a highly skilled and committed workforce.

Roles and Responsibilities

Strategic engagement and collaboration

• Work closely with the senior leadership team to drive consultative planning processes and develop and maintain high-quality deliverables including Country Plans, Annual Work Plans and Progress Reports and other deliverables as required by DFAT, DT Global and key stakeholders, including entities represented in program governance structures. Ensure these deliverables align with whole of program strategies.
• Contribute to effective and positive working relationships with DFAT Canberra and Posts, engaging closely on all aspects of program strategy, key developments and emerging issues.
• Contribute to the establishment and maintenance of Pacific Australia Skills regional and country-focused governance structures.
• Build and maintain effective relationships and work collaboratively with key stakeholders, including Pacific and Timor-Leste government agencies, other DFAT programs, regional partners and institutions and other stakeholders to support the achievement of development outcomes.

Team management and leadership

• Lead the Programs team, providing oversight country and regional programming to ensure quality implementation against agreed country plans, regional plans, annual work plans, and ensure responsiveness to emerging priorities.
• Manage, coach and mentor direct and indirect reports (Pacific Australia Skills Country Directors/leads and Regional Programming lead), particularly on strategic implementation.
• Create a positive and engaging environment for the Programs team, promoting a culture of learning, building a shared vision and overall team cohesion.
• Support Country Director/leads and the senior leadership team to ensure appropriate resourcing across Pacific Australia Skills to achieve targeted outcomes.
• Periodically act as Team Leader, as required, and perform other duties as assigned.
• All other duties as outlined in the Terms of Reference.

Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position: https://tinyurl.com/y5kd8jmy

About You

Selection Criteria

Essential Experience and Knowledge

• It is expected that the successful candidate will possess the following:
• Tertiary qualifications in International Development or Relations, Business Management or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills, the ability to collaborate across teams, build team cohesion and the ability to cultivate and maintain productive working relationships in cross-cultural contexts.
• Experience working in the Pacific.
• Extensive experience leading multi-disciplinary teams to achieve international development outcomes.
• Strong leadership, high level strategic oversight, and project management capabilities, with large geographically diverse programs.
• High level experience in driving and implementing international development program strategies.
• Demonstrated experience with strong abilities in program/project results, M&E, integration of gender equity, disability and social inclusion, and donor reporting.
• Facilitation, mediation, innovation and problem-solving experience in complex environments.
• Excellent understanding of Australian government and ability to develop good rapport with senior officials. Direct experience working with DFAT.
• Outstanding verbal communication and interpersonal skills.

DT Global strongly encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds including First Nations, diverse SOGIESC and people with disabilities.

HOW TO APPLY
Click the ‘Apply Now’ button.

Please submit
1) Your CV
2) A cover letter addressing the selection criteria

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 11^th August 2025 Monday, 11:59 pm Suva time

Should this role be of interest, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.  All applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Kindly note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

DT Global is committed to child protection and safeguarding the welfare of children in the delivery of our international development programs. We are committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), and bribery prevention. DT Global is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage women, men, people with diverse backgrounds and people living with disabilities to apply. This program is funded by the Australian Government and Managed by DT Global.

About the Organization

About DT Global Asia Pacific

At DT Global Asia Pacific, we aim to positively impact people’s lives through delivery excellence. As a leading implementing partner across Asia and the Pacific, we co-create locally led solutions in partnership with governments, communities, and stakeholders. We bring together talented teams and deep regional expertise to deliver initiatives that promote inclusive economic growth, essential services, and resilient, secure communities. With over 1,500 staff, experts in 22+ countries and more than 60 years of development experience, we tackle complex community, national and transnational challenges — from governance and justice systems to climate resilience, infrastructure and social equity — with innovative thinking and a commitment to long-term impact.

For more information, please see www.dt-global.com