Background

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.

Our preference is for this role to be based in Sydney, with hybrid work arrangements (1 day/week in-person).

Main Responsibilities

Programme and Operations Management

The position will provide high-quality project/program management and operational support for major investments (primarily SPARC, but also other DFAT-funded programs), as well as for shorter-term investments delivered by Development Pathways in the Asia Pacific. Specific responsibilities will include:

• Ensure reporting requirements and project/program delivery information are collected, reviewed and suitably prepared for circulation.
• Manage day-to-day relationships with delivery partners and internal team(s) and build a solid understanding of delivery needs and timelines across short-term projects/programs.
• Oversight of project/program workplans, including emergent risks, dependencies, challenges, change requests, budgets, schedules and scope.
• Maintain effective knowledge management systems, ensuring program records are consistent with client requirements, project/program reporting and management.
• Provide support for travel bookings and logistics, security, incident response, and duty of care processes.
• Maintain asset register/s in line with the client’s policies and procedures.
• Lead contracting processes, including undertaking due diligence of subcontractors, contract preparation, while adhering to value for money principles and complying with Commonwealth Procurement Rules.
• Provide effective onboarding and contract management of consultants/suppliers.
• Produce high-quality and appropriate client reports, including ad-hoc reporting.
• Support the Head of Office and relevant Contract Representative and Team Leader with effective client relations, as required.
• As required, prepare and strengthen project/program-specific policies, procedures, and management tools, ensuring Operations Manuals are kept up to date.
• Maintain effective communication and collaboration with functional managers across programs, operations and administration to drive a consistent, coordinated and efficient company-wide approach to operational program implementation.
• Participate in established company mechanisms that contribute to organisational improvement initiatives, by identifying opportunities for process optimisation, ensuring adherence to professional standards and compliance requirements, and overseeing the implementation of enhancements at the project/program level.
• Participate in project/program audits, including leading on the implementation of any corrective actions and recommending any systems improvements.
• Support project close processes as required, capturing and sharing lessons internally.

 Finance and Contract Management

• Oversee and monitor financial forecasts and budget reports, as well as project/program invoicing.
• Ensure financial outcomes are met, with any risks to timelines or over/underspend escalated appropriately.
• Prepare client financial reports.
• Ensure all procurements are managed in line with client contract requirements and Development Pathways’ policies.
• Manage consultants’ timesheets, invoices and expenses against contracts, and ensure these comply with Development Pathways’ policies related to contracts.
• Prepare internal project/program update reporting, including finances and resourcing, using required management tools.

Corporate Operations

• As required, provide support to strengthen policies, procedures, and management tools for Development Pathways Asia Pacific.
• Coordinate with project managers and leaders in Development Pathways’ other offices to ensure technical capacity is well planned across the full portfolio of projects.
• Regularly update corporate financial forecasts for projects.
• Support the head office with financial audits of projects managed by Development Pathways Australia.
• Maintain a record of corporate insurances, take responsibility for their timely renewal, and respond to internal insurance requests.
• Manage and coordinate corporate insurance policies in Australia.
• Provide ad hoc input to evolving organisational requirements as directed by the Head of Asia Pacific.

 Business Development

• Support the Head of Asia Pacific and Deputy Head of Asia Pacific in researching business development opportunities across the Asia Pacific region.
• Provide research, project management and operational inputs to support bid development (including supporting the development of proposal budgets).

Terms of Employment and Benefits

Recruitment will be at the mid-level and is a permanent and full-time post. Along with competitive compensation, we offer:

• Fulfilling work – work directly with end-users in some of the world’s most underserved communities.
• Flexible work – Development Pathways offers employees flexible work hours and hybrid work options.
• Generous time off – recharge with 20 days of leave per annum plus relevant public holidays.
• Employment Assistance Program – access to the company’s Employee Assistance Program.
• Commitment to professional development opportunities – we encourage our staff to participate in professional learning and development and provide funding to make this happen.
• Provision of a company laptop and flexible hybrid working arrangement.

Selection Criteria

The Programme and Operations Manager will require the following combination of applied skills, knowledge and behaviours to successfully contribute to team goals:

Essential

• An undergraduate degree in project management, business, international development, or a related discipline.
• 5-10 years’ experience working within international development, social development, public policy, research and/or the consultancy sector.
• Demonstrable experience in project management and/or operations, ideally within international development.
• Experience of working with delivery partners and managing operational aspects of donor-funded programs, including budget management, procurement, contract management, logistics, risk management and recruitment.
• An ability to build, develop and maintain relationships with a variety of stakeholders, showing diplomacy, sensitivity and decisiveness.
• Well-developed interpersonal communication skills demonstrated by successful liaison and rapport building; negotiating, consulting and influencing a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to understand and effectively use financial information.
• Ability to prioritise, plan and organise workflow to tight timeframes, handle multiple tasks and be flexible with changing priorities.
• Proven ability to resolve problems, anticipate barriers and create practical solutions, including proactive response to managing delivery risks.
• Fully capable with Microsoft Office and aptitude for digital tools.
• Excellent attention to detail, ensuring quality standards are maintained.
• Ability to travel internationally if required.

Desirable

• Project management experience in the Asia Pacific region.
• Knowledge of DFAT requirements and processes.

How to apply

We invite interested candidates to please apply for the post by email and including the following:

1. A cover letter explaining why you are applying for this position, and how you would meet the selection criteria for the post of Program and Operations Manager
2. A detailed CV (curriculum vitae) specifying your qualifications, education, and relevant work experience. Please include your salary expectations.
3. Applicants must have the right to live and work in Australia, so all applications must specify if they have the right to work and live in Australia.
4. Applicants will be required to satisfy mandatory security checks before their appointment.

The closing date for this post will be 20^th June 2025.

Applications should be submitted to  recruitment@developmentpathways.co.uk.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we retain the right to close this role without notice.

Due to the high number of applications expected, unfortunately, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Applicants, please note the Privacy Notice on our website.

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.