• Full time or part-time at 0.6 FTE, fixed term role 
• Based in Melbourne CBD, hybrid
• Exciting job opportunity to work with an incredible team in the International Development Sector

ABOUT IWDA

IWDA is an Australia based organisation, resourcing diverse women’s rights organisations, primarily in Asia and the Pacific, and contributing to global feminist movements to advance our vision of gender equality for all.

VISION: Gender equality for all

PURPOSE: To defend and advance the rights of diverse women and girls

VALUES: Feminist, Accountable, Collaborative, Transformative

STRATEGIC GOALS 2025:

1. Resource and contribute to a resilient and vibrant feminist movement, primarily in the areas of freedom from violence and power, leadership and civic space
2. Promote systemic change towards gender equality for all
3. Build a resilient and relevant feminist organisation

We resource the work of diverse women’s rights organisations, enable them to be more effective by providing support that goes beyond money, and we make our own contributions to feminist movements through advocacy, knowledge creation and translation.

As part of this contribution, we take actions to decolonise our approach to feminism and development. We want to become the best we can be at partnerships across the Majority and Minority worlds. This means we seek to understand and leverage our locational power so that we know when to:

STEP UP and use our power to leverage resources and access for women’s rights organisations, and make our own contribution to feminist movements

STAND WITH feminist movements in solidarity and amplify the work of global south actors

STEP BACK when others are better placed to take the lead

SIT WITH uncertainty, embrace communal learning and deep listening, and accept that time is needed to collectively discern the best course of action.

Our 2023-2025 Strategic Plan outlines a third way between the models of women’s funds and international development NGOs.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Program Manager is responsible for leading and facilitating a number of IWDA’s partnerships with women’s rights organisations in Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste, with a primary focus on women’s leadership, women’s economic empowerment, gender equality advocacy and awareness and addressing gender-based violence.

These partners include the Women’s Rights Action Movement (WRAM) and West ‘Are’Are Rokotanikeni Association (WARA) in Solomon Islands and Covalima Community Centre (CCC) and Asisténsia Legál ba Feto no Labarik (ALFeLa) in Timor-Leste. These programs are funded by DFAT’s bilateral program in the Solomon Islands and the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).

The Program Manager will be required to support partners to identify organisational strengthening needs and source capacity building support; build, review and acquit budgets in line with IWDA financial procedures and donor requirements; adhere to reporting requirements; and support the advocacy and movement building work of IWDA.

Role responsibilities will include overseeing program management, funding grants and partnership processes with a feminist approach, ensuring these processes are relevant to partners, program outcomes and in line with IWDA strategic priorities.

The role collaborates with the Partnership’s Senior Program Manager, Quality to lead the monitoring, evaluation, and learning efforts of the programs. This involves assisting partners with their reporting and accountability processes and translating these for donor-facing reports. Additionally, the position ensures that IWDA program partners comply with safeguarding, risk management, and due diligence requirements.

The Program Manager will contribute to resource mobilisation, including expanding networks and relationships with women’s rights organisations, potential donors, and the broader women’s rights and feminist movement. Aligned with IWDA’s Strategic Plan, the role fosters collaborative and supportive partnerships, strengthening partners’ long-term sustainability and ensuring that women’s rights organisations have the resources and support needed to drive lasting change.

The Program Manager may also support IWDA’s engagement with the Women Deliver Global Conference to be held in April 2026 (WD2026) in Naarm (Melbourne), including IWDA’s role on the WD2026 Pacific Regional Steering Committee.

This includes supporting IWDA’s partners and collaborators in the Pacific and Asia with resources to maximise the opportunity to amplify their voices, advance their priorities, leadership and reputation, and to shape the conference for meaningful impact.

This work will involve working with a diverse range of women’s rights, gender and feminist actors as well as donors across different sectors to mobilise support, engagement and ensure WD2026 is a truly Pacific, feminist-owned convening.

The role is part of the Partnerships Team and reports to the Senior Program Manager. It will manage and work closely with the Program Coordinator (0.6 FTE). The role contributes to the positive, collaborative, and supportive culture of the Partnerships Team, participates in IWDA’s organisational learning processes, and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture while working collaboratively with teams across the organisation.

Find the full position description here.

THE OFFER

This role is either offered at full time or part-time at 0.6 FTE (depending on the final scope of responsibilities), fixed term 6 months contract with possible extension. Classified at SCHADS 6 plus superannuation and salary packaging.

Some of the benefits:

• Flexible work arrangements
• Salary packaging options
• Employee Assistance program
• Additional end of year leave for all and additional paid personal/carer's and parental leave

HOW TO APPLY

If you are looking for an opportunity to make a key contribution to a rights-based international development agency committed to gender equality for all, click Apply Now and submit your application.

A position description is attached.

IWDA is committed to the wellbeing and safety of our staff. IWDA works through a hybrid approach supporting all team members to work flexibly, fully equipped from home as well as from our office in Melbourne. The candidate will be expected to work from our physical office space at least two days a week.

The safety and wellbeing of children and other vulnerable persons engaged in IWDA’s programs is also a priority for IWDA. We have strong recruitment processes in place to ensure the safest and most suitable people are employed by our organisation.

International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA) has an Equal Opportunity exemption (H69/2022) and requests applications from women only (including cis or trans).

IWDA welcomes people with different skills and life experiences, and encourages women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, women with disabilities and First Nations women to apply. Preference will be given to applicants who have experience in, or strong community ties to, one of the countries in which IWDA supports partners.

Any offer of employment will require a National Police Check and endorsement of IWDA’s Safeguarding Code of Conduct. All applicants must be legally entitled to live and work in Australia.