• Position: Head of Programs
• Location: Remote (International)
• Type: Contract (Initially 12 months)
• Hours: Full-time (38 hours/week).
• Remuneration: Base AU$111,294 (SCHADS Award Level 7.1)
• Package includes superannuation (11% employer contribution) and leave loading

About Edge Effect

Edge Effect is a humanitarian and development sector organisation specialising in diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC, aka LGBTIQ+). We offer consulting services to governments, UN agencies, NGOs and CSOs to ensure that the rights, needs and strengths of people with diverse SOGIESC are addressed in humanitarian and development policy and programs. Edge Effect also directly implements development and humanitarian projects, usually in partnership with other LGBTIQ+ organisations.

Edge Effect is a small, growing and impactful organisation. We seek staff who are passionate about our work and who are driven to make a difference. We are based in Melbourne (Australia) but work globally and our staff live and work where they want and need to be.

About The Position

The Head of Programs is a new senior role within Edge Effect, reporting to the CEO. As part of the management team they will play a key role in determining and implementing strategies for the effectiveness and growth of the organisation. They will take responsibility for high-quality implementation across Edge Effect’s programs portfolio, maintaining strong situational awareness of program status, progress and challenges. This will require ongoing engagement with the Head of Finance and Operations to review ongoing financial reporting, assess how programs are tracking, and to address emerging issues. The Head of Programs will have a strong grasp of programming frameworks in the humanitarian and/or development sectors and will play a leading role in developing Edge Effect’s program methods. They will implement some more complex or challenging program components and may be asked to act as Program Director for one of our major programs for at least the first 6 months of their contract. However, most of Edge Effect's programs work is undertaken by a team of full-time and part-time program officers (currently four) who will be supervised and supported by the Head of Programs. As much of Edge Effect’s work is undertaken with partner organisations the Head of Programs will ensure that those partnerships work effectively. The Head of Programs will supervise monitoring and evaluation and ensure that donor reporting requirements are met in a timely and effective way. In this respect they will play a major role in ensuring that Edge Effect learns effectively from experience.

Selection Criteria

Edge Effect is seeking candidates with substantial international humanitarian and/or development program management experience. You will have a passion for changing the world while also understanding how to work within feminist and participatory approaches that recognise and challenge power imbalances in the aid sector.

Specifically, the successful candidates will have skills and experience in the following areas, which should be addressed in the application template:

• Management of humanitarian and/or development programs from start to finish at a high quality, preferably including multi-country and multi-year projects.
• Management of a portfolio of larger and smaller projects, maintaining an overview of the whole portfolio including project progress and budgets, including early identification of problems and generation of effective solutions. Edge Effect uses the Asana project/task management system.
• High-level program implementation in one or more areas relevant to Edge Effect’s work (such as research, training, assessments, partner support, tools development, evaluation, policy or others).
• Supervision and support of programs staff, working with individuals and the team to build capacity, manage tasks, address issues, enhance well-being and deliver strong programs.
• Conceptualisation of new program ideas and support for proposal development processes.
• Development and maintenance of effective relationships with program partners and critically assessing and adapting our ways of working.
• Working within challenging operating political and security environments.
• Ensuring effective relationships with the wide-range of development and humanitarian sector stakeholders necessary for Edge Effect’s success.
• Representation of Edge Effect within humanitarian and/or development sector forums.
• Engagement with emerging ideas within the aid sector and translation into organisational change and growth.

Successful candidates will also have a range of skills with general applicability:

• Ability to work independently, managing time and tasks across multiple projects.
• Ability to work successfully across a range of cultural contexts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to work in multiple languages an advantage.
• Ethical and sustainable approach to conducting business.
• Practical problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of technology, including project management and standard office tools.

Important Notes

Edge Effect complies with the SCHADS Award under Australia’s Fair Work Act. In addition to base salary staff are entitled to superannuation (11% from July 1st, 2023), four weeks of annual leave (and leave loading), sick/carers leave, long-service leave, and other benefits as per the Award and the Fair Work Act. Edge Effect does not offer salary packaging. Staff engaged outside of Australia are not legally covered by this Award but will receive equivalent packages.

Edge Effect does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, sex characteristics, age, marital or relationship status or family situation, or disability, or any other protected characteristic. We value diversity and encourage people with diverse SOGIESC (aka LGBTIQ+ people) to apply.

Edge Effect is based in Australia. We acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded by the traditional owners of the lands we work on, and we respect and engage with traditional owners both within Australia and elsewhere around the world.

Edge Effect operates globally, which means that flexibility with working hours is required, and international travel may also be required. We are open to candidates working from any country where you have legal status to work or as digital nomads. The positions may require extended desk-based work and use of computer systems.

Mandatory safeguarding checks are part of Edge Effect recruitment. Successful candidates will need to obtain police/safety checks, and comply with Edge Effect’s Code of Conduct and other policies.

Please note: Edge Effect is undergoing restructuring to shift from a social enterprise to a non-profit organisation. The employing entity for this position is likely to change in 2024 but all terms and conditions will remain the same.

Selection Process

The selection process will involve four steps:

1. Applicants submit their resume and complete the application template (attached). Applicants may optionally also include a cover letter.
2. Candidates who are shortlisted will be invited to an interview and may be asked to complete additional assessment tasks.
3. Subject to need, a second round of interviews may be held, including engagement with other Edge Effect team members.
4. Successful candidates will be engaged regarding start dates, location, and contract terms.

To submit your application, click 'Apply Now'.

A position description and application template are attached.