Position Title: Housing Development Program Manager
Status: Contract
Date: 13/01/2026
Housing Development Program Manager
Position: Housing Development Program Manager
Location: Sydney with hybrid work options available
Employment: Part-time, 3 days a week (18-month contract)
Reporting: This role reports to Head of International Programs
More about our work
Habitat for Humanity is a global not-for-profit provider of housing for low-income families in need. Established in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has changed the lives of people all over the world. Today, Habitat for Humanity works in thousands of communities around the world and has built, rehabilitated and repaired over one million homes, helping more than 62 million people. We are an inclusive workplace and believe that people should be employed on the basis of merit. Our vision is a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live.
Position Description
Reporting to the Habitat for Humanity Australia (HFHA) Head of International Programs, the Program Manager will form a key role in HFHA’s International Programs team. The key responsibility will be to manage community development projects delivered through housing and basic services like water and sanitation, in partnership with overseas implementing partners in the Asia and Pacific regions.
The role will be Sydney-based, with the HFHA National Office located in Haymarket, but flexible working conditions will be available. The role will be part-time on an initial 18-month contract but may convert to a permanent position according to performance and continued program funding.
Key Responsibilities
This role is for a leader that has the ability to deliver effective international development projects in partnership with implementing partners and communities outside of Australia. The role requires strong program management capability in order to manage complex projects involving numerous quantities of interacting information around project delivery, including implementation planning and monitoring, risk management, measurement of effectiveness, budget and financial management. The successful applicant will demonstrate strong experience in the above, as well as possessing strong cross-cultural capability with excellent interpersonal and communication skills for a diverse range of stakeholders.
The Program Manager role is responsible for:
- Program management and project management support with partners to deliver effective project development outcomes and impact, in accordance with Partnership and Activity Agreements.
- Detailed project design, monitoring, evaluation and reporting that supports development effectiveness of projects.
- Donor compliance and risk management of international development projects being delivered overseas, principally in Indonesia and the Pacific.
- Close working relationships and management with overseas implementing partner offices that implement projects funded by HFHA, principally in Indonesia and the Pacific.
- Liaison and coordination with Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) Asia-Pacific regional office.
- Application of key organisational strategies, policies and procedural guidance that govern HFHA’s partnership approach to international development.
- Application of key sector policies and best practise for international development deriving from both the Australian government (DFAT) and the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID).
- Intermittent international travel to develop, monitor and support program implementation with overseas partners and associated reporting.
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
Essential Selection Criteria
- Relevant tertiary qualifications such as a Graduate Degree in a related field (International Development; International Studies, Disaster Risk Reduction, Urban/housing/WASH Gender Development, Humanitarian disaster response/preparedness or similar).
- Demonstrated experience of a minimum of 5 years in development program and/or project management, spent in a programmatic or managerial position involving program/project design, risk management, project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, preferably in an international context.
- Experience with Logical Frameworks and/or Theory of Change approaches to project design development, with an applied understanding of the concepts of outputs, outcomes, and impact.
- Experience with design, monitoring, and evaluation of projects and associated project-level plans and reports for internal and external audiences.
- Experience in financial management of projects or programs, monitoring project actual versus projected budget expenditures in consultation with the HFHA Head of Finance.
- Experience in providing capacity building and/or technical program support with partners outside of Australia.
- Strong stakeholder management skills as the role involves close partnerships with a variety of stakeholders in Australia and overseas, including local Habitat for Humanity country offices that implement projects funded by HFHA, as well as in collaboration with non-Habitat for Humanity partners.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills across different countries and cultures, with the ability to succinctly capture complex project and program information for internal audiences and sophisticated donors.
- Very strong attention to detail with the ability to meet intermediate and final deadlines.
Desirable Selection Criteria
- Knowledge and experience in international development policies and best practise, deriving from standards established by both the Australian government (DFAT) Accreditation system and the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct.
- Appreciation and understanding of cross-cutting community development issues in relation to gender equality, disability inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
- Experience working in Asia and/or the Pacific.
- Experience in the delivery of humanitarian programs that support affected communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
Habitat’s Statement of Expectations surrounding Safeguarding
Habitat for Humanity requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse; safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children); and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.
All employees must:
- Adhere to all safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable adults in all aspects of service delivery.
- Identify and report any safeguarding concerns in line with the organisation’s protocols.
- Establish understanding of child protection laws, policies and best practices in Australia.
- Have awareness of indicators of abuse, neglect, abuse, and exploitation in children and vulnerable adults.
- Demonstrate ability to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns effectively
- Knowledge of mandatory reporting obligations and safeguarding escalation procedures.
- Display familiarity with trauma-informed approaches when working with vulnerable individuals.
- Present capacity to uphold ethical standards and demonstrate professional integrity.
- Uphold commitment to continuous learning and adapting to updated safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Report all safeguarding concerns to Habitat for Humanity’s designated Safeguarding Officer.
Roles within Habitat for Humanity may involve different levels of direct or indirect exposure to vulnerable groups. The level of safeguarding measures required depends on the nature of the role. This is a moderate-exposure role. This role may involve occasional or indirect contact with vulnerable groups but not as a primary function. Employees in this role must still comply with safeguarding requirements but may require less frequent training and oversight.
The successful applicant will need to provide evidence of a clear criminal history and adhere to HFHA’s Code of Conduct, policies and procedures including the Child Protection Policy.
How to apply
To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter addressing how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities and essential criteria to Michelle Duby, [email protected]. Deadline: 30 January 2026 5:00PM AEDT.
Please note that applicants must have valid working rights in Australia. Habitat for Humanity Australia is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of diverse backgrounds.