Program Manager Vanuatu – Pacific Labour Facility

Project Overview:

The Pacific Labour Facility (PLF) facilitates seasonal and longer-term work opportunities for Pacific workers in Australia. It connects Australian employers with Pacific workers under the newly introduced Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme which combines the existing Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) and Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP).

Role Overview:

The Program Manager(PM)will work in partnership and be based in the Employment Services Unit, the Department of Labour, Vanuatu – referred to as the Labour Sending Unit (LSU). The PM will be responsible for supporting the LSU to continuously review and strengthen labour mobility systems, and processes, including the In-Country Recruitment database to ensure the team can continue to meet the growing demand of labour mobility. The role will review operational demands, capacity requirements, resourcing and knowledge to support high quality circular labour mobility programming in Vanuatu.

Responsibilities:

• Work Ready Pool & Recruitment: Strengthen and improve quality work ready pool through the design and delivery of processes/initiatives and enhancement of work readiness programs. Ensuring quality worker selection, assist with interviewing and shortlisting of workers to meet employers’ requirements.
• Mobilization: Develop workflow/plans, priorities, and assist with planning, tracking progress and escalate issues where applicable, coordinate with key Labour Mobility (LM) stakeholders/service providers in Samoa.
• Pre-Departure Briefing: Provide support and leadership to trainers including mentoring and coaching.
• Reintegration Programs: Work with LSU and the PLF Reintegration Manager to develop and support the LSU and in-country partners to drive & coordinate reintegration initiatives, leveraging connections with other DFAT funded programs and in-country networks.
• Worker Welfare: Support response to worker welfare issues and developing policies and guidelines.
• Team Building: work with the Engagement Manager to provide mentoring and capacity building initiatives to the LSU.
• Training: Work with training providers to deliver training and facilitate workshops to Labour Mobility Stakeholders.
• Marketing/Awareness: Support the LSU with marketing and awareness programs to inform the public, communities, workers, and key LM stakeholders about the PALM program

Requirements:

• Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline with relevant experience in managing programs/project, stakeholder engagement, coordinating and strengthening teams, and managing staff and program risks.
• A demonstrated ability to build respectful, productive and sustainable working relationships with a variety of stakeholders (including partner government, civil society and the private sector) and working together to achieve results
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously with limited supervision and ability to work under pressure to meet key deliverables
• Demonstrated skill and experience at convening and facilitating productive interaction between diverse groups of people
• Experience working with programs in the Pacific with a strong understanding of gender equality concepts and issues
• An understanding of current issues in relation to circular labour mobility, including related policy and regulatory frameworks is desirable
• Experience in program implementation, excellent written and communication skills, and delivery of training programs and/or facilitation is desirable

This is a Vanuatu based locally engaged position. The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract to 30 June 2023.