Senior Program Manager

Job Description

Senior Program Manager, Cambodia Development Support Unit (CDSU)

Position: Senior Program Manager
Program: Cambodia Development Support Unit (CDSU)
Reporting Line: Program Director, CDSU
Direct Reports: Program Officer, CDSU (Cambodia-based)
Location: Australia
Work Arrangements: Remote

Position Overview

Reporting to the Program Director, the Senior Program Manager will lead day-to-day implementation of the DFAT-funded Cambodia Development Support Unit (CDSU) program. The Senior Program Manager oversees project and budget management, operations, and program delivery (including monitoring, evaluation and learning, and grants management). This position is the main point of contact with DFAT and will work closely with the Australian Phnom Penh Embassy (Post) staff to agree program activities.

Program Background

The Cambodia Development Support Unit (CDSU) is a new AUD 21.12 million eight-year program (initial 4-year contract from 2025-2029, with extension option of 4-years to 2033). The goal is to support Cambodia’s sustainable growth into a resilient upper-middle income country that delivers inclusive growth for all Cambodian citizens. The program objective is to raise the quality of programming and improve the efficiency of Australia’s development cooperation portfolio in Cambodia. To achieve this, CDSU consists of two pillars:

1. The Aid Advisory Services pillar will procure local and international advisers to provide technical advice to Post on development programming and priority thematic areas (such as gender equality, disability, social inclusion, climate, localisation, and governance, among others). This will include Long-Term Advisers (LTAs) embedded at Post and Short-Term Advisers (STAs) providing targeted/ad hoc support.
2. The Aid Enabling Services pillar will procure other non-advisory services and expertise to rapidly respond to emerging development needs identified by Post. This may include grants management (to local CSOs), capacity building (trainings, study tours etc.), strategic communications and events management, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) services.

CDSU is managed by Development Pathways (the Managing Contractor) in partnership with Prestige Alliance (a consortium partner). The Senior Program Manager will be employed by Development Pathways.

Development Pathways is a global consultancy delivering international development projects for government, UN, and NGOs. We specialise in social policy and are recognised leaders in the field of social protection.

Prestige Alliance is a Cambodian professional services firm specialising in business consulting (business development, financial advisory, digital marketing), program management, and tech development.

Key Responsibilities

Project and Budget Management

• Lead program planning, activity development, and reflection sessions
• Develop key program documents including annual plans and budgets
• Establish and manage risk management processes and ensure emerging risks and issues are appropriately escalated
• Develop, maintain, and monitor detailed workplans of program activities
• Manage the program budget, reviewing expenditure and forecasts to ensure accurate resource planning for program operations and delivery
• Implement program reporting, including preparing narrative reports for DFAT
• Facilitate program management meetings with DFAT
• Contribute to setting the strategic direction of the program, including participating in the review and update of program strategy documents
• Contribute to establishing and implementing effective monitoring, evaluation and learning arrangements

Operations

• Lead the development and update of policies and procedures in the program Operations Manual and ensure compliance
• Develop and implement guidelines for administering a Flexible Responsive Fund
• Oversee all procurement and contracting processes ensuring compliance with DFAT requirements
• Develop and maintain consultant and supplier rosters/pools

Program Delivery

• Respond to tasking notes from DFAT and collaborate on the development of Activity/Project Concept Notes as needed
• Oversee grants management, including leading the assessment of grant proposals and providing recommendations for funding to DFAT, disbursement of funds, monitoring grant activities and ensuring reporting
• Implement program activities as needed - such as trainings, study tours or events - with support from the Program Officer

Personnel Management

• Manage one (1) Program Officer on a full-time basis - including performance management, coaching, and day to-day supervision/oversight of her/his responsibilities
• Manage any short-term program personnel (e.g. STAs), as needed
• Contribute (with the Program Director) to personnel management of LTAs embedded at Post
• Manage the recruitment of LTAs, including updating and/or developing JDs

Undertake other reasonable responsibilities, as needed

Selection Criteria

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 10+ years relevant experience in a similar role (senior-level operations and/or project management in international development)
• Experience managing large development programs and ensuring compliance (experience with DFAT-funded programs highly preferred)
• Experience leading the development and management of complex program budgets
• Exceptional project management skills, with a
  particular focus on program governance, risk management, strategic planning,
  and reporting experience
• Experience establishing operational policies, processes and systems
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, proven ability to manage diverse stakeholder relationships and to communicate at a senior stakeholder-level
• Strong staff management and leadership experience
• Professional fluency in English

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Understanding of DFAT requirements, including (but not limited to) Australia’s Commonwealth Procurement Rules
• Monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) experience
• Grant management experience
• Program design skills
• Experience working and/or delivering programs in Cambodia or Southeast Asia
• Professional fluency or working knowledge of Khmer

Personal Attributes

• Committed to GEDSI
• Cultural sensitivity and respect for local contexts
• Strategic thinker
• Effective leader
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities
• Strong stakeholder management skills
• Professional integrity

Work Environment

• Occasional travel (likely quarterly visits to Cambodia and other travel as needed)
• Occasional need to work outside of regular working hours – mornings, evenings or weekends – depending on operational needs (e.g. to join calls with Cambodia- and/or UK-based teams, to support urgent DFAT requests, or when travelling)
• Flexible work arrangements (remote/work-from-home, and flexible schedule as permitted by program needs)

Employment may be contingent on holding or being able to obtain DFAT security clearance, medical clearance and a National Police Check (or equivalent). This will be discussed and confirmed during the selection process.

Development Pathways is committed to providing equal opportunities and a work environment that values diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and support diversity and are committed to providing a work environment that is inclusive and free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on individual qualifications and abilities without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, family or parental status, or disability status. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, female applicants, and people with a disability who meet the requirements of this position are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application.

About the Organization

Founded in 2010, Development Pathways has grown rapidly into an internationally renowned and respected global development consultancy. We deliver consulting services and manage multi-year programs in Africa, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific region. Our portfolio spans social policy, with particular expertise in social protection, inclusive programming, and management information systems (MIS). Our clients include governments, the UN, and NGOs.

Development Pathways has three offices located in the United Kingdom, Australia and Kenya. This role is based in Australia, in our Asia Pacific regional office. Development Pathways’ work in Asia Pacific includes a diverse portfolio of consulting projects/programs. Development Pathways is also the managing contractor for three large-scale DFAT programs implemented in the Asia Pacific region.

Development Pathways is committed to transformative social policies to promote social justice. We are committed to gender equality, women’s empowerment and social inclusion. We work hard and are passionate about what we do. We find time to discuss important issues and how we, as a company, can support initiatives that we are passionate about.