PROGRAM MANAGER – Peace Corps Hybrid

VACANCY 

JOB DESCRIPTION & SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
About the Peace Corps

The Peace Corps (www.peacecorps.gov) is an American government agency that facilitates intercultural learning across the globe. Since Peace Corps was invited to Fiji in 1968, over 2,500 Peace Corps Volunteers have lived in iTaukei villages for two-year tours, honoring traditional customs and empowering village youth and adults.

Position Summary

The PM serves as a senior member of the Programming and Training (P&T) team, leading all programmatic elements related to Peace Corps Fiji’s Community Economic Empowerment Project (CEEP). This includes developing, implementing, managing, and evaluating the project; identifying and preparing viable communities (sites) for Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV) to live and work for two years; crafting and facilitating technical trainings; supervising a team of Program and Training Specialists (PTS); and supporting PCVs working within CEEP. The position involves regular travel in Fiji, as well as frequent collaboration with Fijian officials and community leaders, honoring traditional customs along the way. The PM completes all activities under supervision of the Director of Programming and Training (DPT), and often in close collaboration. This position works Mondays through Fridays, 8:00am to 5:00pm and occasional evenings and weekends as required.

Duties of the Program Manager include:

Project Development, Implementation, and Management

Ensures that the project follows the Peace Corps’ approach to development and stays attuned to current agency strategies and best practices.

Site Identification, Placement, and Management

Responsible for the identification and preparation of suitable sites for Volunteers to live and work. Duties include, but are not limited to:

· Ensures that sufficient sites have been identified, visited, cleared of all safety, medical and logistical concerns with the support of Peace Corps staff.

· Supports key stakeholders to build realistic expectations about the diversity of PCVs and the work that the Volunteer will complete.

· Leads training for and communication with community counterparts, addressing any issues swiftly and professionally.

Volunteer Support and Management

Responsible for supporting the professional wellbeing and success of all Volunteers within the project. Duties include, but are not limited to:

· Ensures that PCVs, Peace Corps Response Volunteers (PCRV), and Virtual Service Pilot Participants (VSPP) receive regular and thoughtful communication about their professional activities, including swift, coaching and mentoring in response to questions/concerns sent via any approved communication platform.

· Plans and supports meaningful site visits with PCVs from the PM or a delegate.

· Anticipates problems and proactively develops strategies to improve Volunteer support.

In coordination with the Peace Corps Medical Officers, Safety and Security Officer, and other relevant staff, responsible for supporting the personal wellbeing and safety of all Volunteers within the project. Duties include, but are not limited to:

· Ensures that Volunteers receive appropriate support around logistical elements that fall within the PM’s authority, such as leave and close of service forms.

· Contributes to the team effort to monitor Volunteers’ compliance with Peace Corps policies, initiating corrective action as necessary.

Training Support

Responsible for ensuring that all Volunteers—and, when relevant, local community counterparts—receive sufficient technical training to be able to fulfill core project-related expectations. Duties include, but are not limited to:

· Reviews and approves, in collaboration with the Training Manager, a 26-month calendar and curriculum for technical training, ensuring a robust bridge between the programmatic expectations of Volunteers and the training they receive.

· Monitors and evaluates technical training, collaborating with the PTS team to leverage data and training resources into an ongoing process of technical training improvement.

Management and Administration

Responsible for demonstrating the highest degree of professionalism as a part of the post’s senior management team, and for the supervision of the project’s programming staff and Volunteers. Duties include, but are not limited to:

· Serves as the direct supervisor of PTSs, fulfilling all supervisory responsibilities, developing and managing a system for equitable delegation of programming and technical training responsibilities, and supporting the PTSs’ fulfillment of their duties.

· Serves as the second-level supervisor of all Volunteers and within the CEEP project.

· Ensures that Peace Corps policies, post initiatives, and the United States Government regulations are carried out consistently within the PM’s area of responsibility, including the appropriate use of financial resources and time management.

· Contributes to policy development, planning processes, and problem-solving through active participation in staff meetings, retreats, committees, and other relevant activities.

Safety and Security

Responsible for maintaining an active commitment to the safety and security of Volunteers, which is the agency’s top priority. Duties include, but are not limited to:

· Identifies and immediately communicates Volunteer safety and security concerns or issues to the Safety and Security Manager (SSM) and the CD.

· Ensures designated host country counterparts participate in counterpart orientation/training and are prepared to work with and support Volunteers, including their role in Volunteer safety and security.

· Monitors Volunteer compliance with Peace Corps policies, especially related to safety and security, and initiates corrective action as necessary.

· The Contractor is required to follow any workplace health and/or safety rules indicated for their position specified in a Peace Corps policy/policies (whether implemented under a Peace Corps Manual or Procedures/Program thereunder, Interim Policy Statement, a Medical Technical Guideline, a Peace Corps Headquarters official notice, and/or a Post-specific Policy or Management Notice) – including complying with any medical and/or training requirements the policy/policies specify.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

o Required:

Completion of a two-year degree

o Preferred:

A Bachelor and/or Master’s degree.

Studies in community development, economic development, climate change and sustainable development.

Experience

o Required:

Six years of progressively responsible professional experience, at least three of which are connected to some form of community development, non-profits.

o Preferred:

Supervisory experience

Project and/or program management experience

Experience in iTaukei village-based economic development projects Experience working with diverse American volunteers and/or colleagues.

Language proficiency

o Required:

Written and oral fluency in both English and Vosa Vaka Viti languages

Knowledge

o Required:

In-depth understanding of Fijian cultures, including the full range of traditional iTaukei customs and protocol

Understanding of the Fijian government’s objectives, priorities, and structure

Abilities and Skills

o Required:

Professional experience and initiative in the areas of monitoring, evaluation, and the continual improvement of operational structures and tools

Ability to develop and maintain an extensive range of mid- and high-level contacts within the Fijian government, development agencies, and the private sector.

Ability to plan and execute projects.

Ability to prepare precise, accurate reports.

Superior time management skills

Strong, empathetic interpersonal and intercultural skills

o Preferred:

Advanced skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Skills in facilitating student-centered training for adult learners.

Strong professional coaching skills

Ability to respond effectively and compassionately to unexpected situations.

Other

o Required:

A valid Fijian driver’s license and comfort driving large SUVs alone along rural, poor-quality dirt/gravel roads, finding remote villages.

Willingness to travel extensively, sometimes spending a week or more in the field.

To Apply

Interested applicants must submit the following documents in English:

1. Letter of interest.

2. A current resume or curriculum vitae.

3. Copies of relevant degrees and other qualifications earned.

4. A reference from current or previous employer; and

5. Copy of valid driver’s license

JOB FUNCTIONS
Programme & Project Management

JOB OPEN TO:
Fiji Residents Only