Project Manager (Challenge)

Ember; United States; Remote; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading organization seeks a Project Manager for their Challenge-Led Innovation initiative. This role encompasses community engagement and project coordination, ensuring the delivery of key activities and fostering strong relationships among stakeholders while respecting cultural practices. The position is a 12-month contract for 20-25 hours a week.

Qualifications

• Natural facilitator who builds trust across diverse groups.
• Strong systems and time management skills.
• Understands and values Māori ways of doing things.

Responsibilities

• Engagement with stakeholders and community members.
• Coordination of activities and project delivery.
• Implementation of evaluation and learning processes.

Skills

Relational Leadership

Organisational Skills

Cultural Awareness

System Awareness

Trauma Awareness

Job description

We’re looking for a sharp, values-driven Project Manager to help steer our latest Challenge-Led
Innovation initiative in Te Tai Tokerau. This is no ordinary role. You’ll be working alongside local
innovators, whānau, service providers and funders to unlock new solutions that respond to real needs
in the community. If you thrive on complexity, believe in the power of lived experience, and want your
work to make a tangible impact—this is your chance to help shape the future of wellbeing in Aotearoa.
We are searching for someone amazing to play a central coordinating role in our challenge-led
innovation initiative at the intersection of disability and mental health. This role will ensure the smooth
delivery of activities, enable strong relationships across the system, and uphold the kaupapa and
tikanga that underpin this work. We see this person as both a doer and a weaver — bringing people
together, operationalising strategy, and creating the conditions for shared success.

• Do – What You'll Be Responsible For
• Engagement & Communication: Actively bring people into the project, ensuring stakeholders are
  well-informed and connected.
• Coordination & Delivery: Keep activities running smoothly – including hui, events, and project
  milestones – in ways that honour tikanga and feel grounded and meaningful.
• Operationalise Plans: Work closely with the Vision Holding Rōpū to plan and then implement
  those plans in practice.
• System Stewardship: Maintain visibility across the project’s multiple workstreams, helping to
  align activity, energy, and focus.
• Evaluation: Ensure the evaluation plan is implemented and integrated into project rhythms and
  decision-making.
  
• Be – What You’ll Bring
• Relational Leadership: A natural facilitator and supporter who builds trust and connection across
  diverse groups.
• Hyper-organised & Detail-Oriented: Strong systems and time management skills.
• Culturally Grounded: Understands and values Māori ways of doing things, and works in a way that
  respects young people, their whānau, and culture.
• System-Aware: Sees and understands interconnections and is comfortable navigating
  complexity.
• Locally Connected: We hope you’ll be based in the Mid-North, with strong ties to the region and
  its people.
• Trauma aware: Leads with empathy and care, recognising that people may carry past experiences of harm.
• Experienced: Senior or seasoned in facilitating kaupapa Māori, youth, or cross-sector initiatives.
• You’ll need a full drivers licence, be willing to undergo a police vetting process, and be able to
  work in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• 
  Enable – What You’ll Help Create
• Stronger Connections: Foster alignment and relationships between groups, stakeholders, and
  working groups.
• Learning & Reporting: Support tracking of progress, reporting, and creating space for reflection
  and adaptation.
• Momentum & Energy: Keep the calendar moving and the right people around the table at the
  right time to maintain energy and focus.
• 
  This is 12 month contract position for 20-25 hours a week