Programme Lead, PacificTA

Taituarā; Wellington; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Taituarā seeks an experienced operational leader to guide PacificTA, a MFAT-funded programme connecting New Zealand knowledge with Pacific Island country needs to strengthen local government capability and delivery of community services.

You will lead a small team, manage multiple workstreams, and build trusted relationships across New Zealand and the Pacific to ensure high-quality delivery that creates lasting impact for Pacific communities.

Qualifications

• Experience leading operational programmes involving multiple concurrent projects and stakeholders.
• Strong people leadership skills with a track record of managing and developing staff.
• Exceptional relationship management and stakeholder engagement capability.
• Experience preparing funding applications, managing budgets, reporting and programme governance.
• Ability to manage risk and operational issues in complex environments.
• Understanding of community-focused operational service delivery within local government.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational delivery and ongoing development of the PacificTA programme
• Build credibility quickly and maintain strong relationships with Pacific partners, MFAT, councils, technical experts and other key stakeholders
• Manage programme planning, budgets, reporting, governance and funding compliance
• Identify and coordinate technical expertise from across New Zealand to support Pacific priorities
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing team
• Drive programme growth while ensuring safe, culturally appropriate and effective delivery

Skills

Operational leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Program management

People leadership

Risk management

Local government knowledge

Job description

• Connect local government expertise with real-world operational challenges in the Pacific.
• Build trusted relationships to deliver practical outcomes.
• Wellington based role.

Taituarā is seeking an experienced operational leader to lead PacificTA, an MFAT-funded programme that connects New Zealand knowledge and expertise with Pacific Island countries to strengthen their local government capability and delivery of community services.

About the Role

This is a unique opportunity for someone who enjoys rolling up their sleeves to make things happen. You'll lead a small team, manage multiple workstreams, build trusted relationships across New Zealand and the Pacific and ensure high-quality delivery that creates lasting impact for Pacific communities.

As Programme Lead, you'll:

• Lead the operational delivery and ongoing development of the PacificTA programme
• Build credibility quickly and maintain strong relationships with Pacific partners, MFAT, councils, technical experts and other key stakeholders
• Manage programme planning, budgets, reporting, governance and funding compliance
• Identify and coordinate technical expertise from across New Zealand to support Pacific priorities
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing team
• Drive programme growth while ensuring safe, culturally appropriate and effective delivery

You'll be equally comfortable engaging with senior leaders and partners, coaching your team, managing programme risks and budgets, and ensuring projects are delivered successfully.

What we're looking for

We're looking for a practical, relationship-focused leader with experience delivering programmes of work through influence, collaboration and strong people leadership.

You'll bring:

• Experience leading operational programmes involving multiple concurrent projects and stakeholders
• Strong people leadership skills with a track record of managing and developing staff
• Exceptional relationship management and stakeholder engagement capability
• Experience preparing funding applications, managing budgets, reporting and programme governance
• Ability to manage risk and operational issues in complex environments.
• An understanding of community-focused operational service delivery, most likely gained from within local government, and how practical New Zealand expertise can be shared to strengthen capability and outcomes in Pacific communities
• A working knowledge of local government
• Strong judgement, adaptability and a bias for action

Organised, emotionally intelligent, and motivated by making things happen rather than simply developing a strategy, you'll get joy from getting a job done, helping others achieve great outcomes, and making a difference on both large and small scales. You'll love working with others and draw energy from collaborating across multiple areas, even when issues and challenges arise. You'll be able to represent PacificTA professionally while maintaining strong internal relationships across Taituarā.

Why join?

PacificTA delivers work that has genuine impact across the Pacific. You'll have the opportunity to work alongside Pacific partners, New Zealand councils and technical specialists to help strengthen services, capability and outcomes for communities.

This is a role for an experienced leader who enjoys variety, values relationships, and wants to contribute to something bigger than themselves.

Please note candidates must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this role.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: Monday 31 August 2026

REFERENCE: BH-11772