Programmes Manager Kiribati - ChildFund NZ

Job Description - Programmes Manager - Kiribati

Do you believe in locally-led and -owned development? Are you a team player who wants to work in a place that is purposeful and meaningful? Does making a positive difference to some of the world’s most at-risk children and young people motivate you? Are you driven by curiosity, passion and continuous improvement?

If you are answering yes to these questions, and you want to work in a place which gives you the chance to be part of the solution, then we’re on the same page!

View the full job description here. 

ABOUT US:

ChildFund New Zealand is member of the global ChildFund Alliance, a child and youth focused international development organisation. Over the past 80 years, we have actively pushed boundaries and challenged our ways to partner locally, commit to long-term funding, and measure and achieve impact.

THE ROLE:

The Programmes Manager – Kiribati, leads CFNZ’s growing portfolio of development and humanitarian programmes in Kiribati, all implemented through our local affiliate, ChildFund Kiribati (CFK).

The role connects CFK and CFNZ, ensuring multiple grants operate as a coherent, locally led country programme that is evidence-based, sustainable, financially well managed and aligned with community priorities, government systems, donor requirements and CFNZ strategy.

Reporting directly to ChildFund New Zealand’s Director of Programmes, the Programmes Manager will work in conjunction with other members of the programmes team to ensure consistency and quality throughout ChildFund’s development assistance programme, and will provide desk support to local partners.

YOUR KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY & ACCOUNTABILITY WILL BE:

• Manage CFNZ’s Kiribati portfolio across the full project cycle, from design and contracting to implementation, reporting and close-out.
• Maintain oversight of workplans, budgets, expenditure, forecasts, contracts, procurement, risks, results, reporting deadlines and deliverables.
• Undertake regular travel to Kiribati and maintain close engagement with CFK between visits.
• Work alongside CFK to design and adapt programmes grounded in community priorities, local knowledge and the Kiribati context.
• Support CFK to strengthen systems, staff capability, delegation and organisational sustainability to support local ownership, leadership and capability.
• Identify and develop opportunities to grow, diversify and sustain CFNZ’s Kiribati portfolio.
• Lead high-quality funding proposals from concept to submission, including narratives, budgets, results frameworks, workplans and implementation arrangements.
• Assist with the development of and maintain strategic partnerships.
• Own Board and donor reporting for assigned grants, producing timely, accurate and evidence-based narrative reports and coordinating financial and MERL inputs.
• Work with CFK and CFNZ MERL colleagues to strengthen monitoring, learning and adaptive management.
• Maintain a current understanding of the financial position of each grant and the overall Kiribati portfolio.
• Work with CFK and CFNZ Finance on budgeting, expenditure monitoring, forecasting, cash flow and financial reporting.
• Promote a strong safeguarding culture and ensure programming and personal conduct comply with CFNZ safeguarding policies, procedures and standards.

 TO SUCCEED YOU WILL NEED:

• At least 5 years' experience managing international development and/or humanitarian programmes, ideally in the Pacific.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple institutional grants across the full project cycle and consistently deliver to deadline.
• Strong programme design and adaptive management skills, including workplans, budgets, results frameworks, risk and sustainability.
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, expenditure monitoring, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Excellent writing skills, with proven experience producing successful funding proposals and high-quality donor reports.
• Experience working alongside local organisations in ways that strengthen local ownership, leadership and capability.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to anticipate requirements, manage competing priorities and communicate emerging problems early.
• Strong analytical judgement and ability to move comfortably between strategic thinking and detailed execution.
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills across cultures, organisations, government and donors.
• Commitment to safeguarding, social justice and the rights and wellbeing of children and young people.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to Kiribati.

If you would like to be part of a significant journey, then we want to hear from you. Please click on the “apply for this job” button and upload your CV and Cover letter. Cover letters can be addressed to Maria Trogolo and should tell us why you are interested in this role and the special qualities you would bring.

This is a full-time role. Applications close at 8pm on Monday, 12 October 2026.