Role overview

Commonwealth of Learning (COL) helps governments and institutions to expand the scale, efficiency and quality of learning by using new approaches, appropriate technologies, and open and distance learning methodologies. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, COL promotes learning for sustainable development. It is financed by voluntary contributions from Commonwealth Member States.
Grade: C2Reports to: Vice-President Type of Contract: Fixed-Term 5 years (with potential for renewal) Location: Vancouver, BC, CanadaDirect Reports: None
We are seeking local or international talent with experience in, or with, the Pacific region. The RoleThe Project Manager (Pacific) is responsible for the day-to-day coordination, monitoring, communication, and reporting of work within a multi-year programme of related projects that together strengthen skills-based education across the Pacific region of the Commonwealth. The role requires an influential leader who is comfortable mobilising talent across functions, as it works closely with COL education experts who design projects and lead workstream delivery, as well as monitoring and evaluation and communication and engagement experts and includes day-to-day support for delivery partners in the region, most notably the PACFOLD regional centre based at the University of the South Pacific. Key ResponsibilitiesProgramme and Project Coordination

Provide day-to-day project management and coordination across the programme's portfolio of related projects.
Develop, and maintain a complex set of interdependent project plans, tracking milestones, risks, dependencies, and timelines across workstreams, collaborating closely with education and government partners in the region.
Coordinate planning and delivery activities with COL workstream leads and the Director of PACFOLD, to ensure alignment with overall programme objectives.
Contribute to continuous improvement of programme management practice.

Monitoring and Reporting

Prepare regular progress reports against programme milestones, outputs, and outcomes, including semi-annual reports to funders on key metrics.
Monitor and report on budget utilisation and expenditure across projects, identifying and flagging variances.
Maintain programme management systems and tools (e.g. risk registers, schedules, dashboards, log frames etc.) ensuring that project records are accurate and current.
Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) processes as required, working closely with the COL Monitoring and Evaluation Manager and delivery partners in the field.
Research, analyse and present information gathered from diverse sources including assembling data for key evidence reviews that support project major-phase decision making.

Compliance and Risk Management

Support compliance with funder and organisational policies including Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Value for Money, and Gender Equality and Disability Inclusion.
Assist in identifying, monitoring, and escalating operational and compliance risks, and support the development and tracking of mitigation actions.

Governance Support

Prepare papers, briefings, and presentations for governance and steering committee meetings, including quarterly reviews against metrics, semi-annual steering committees, and annual progress reports.
Coordinate governance meeting logistics, including scheduling, agendas, minutes, and tracking of follow-up actions.
Ensure decisions and actions arising from governance forums are recorded and implemented.

Stakeholder Communication and Engagement

Build and maintain effective working relationships with key delivery partners, sub-regional engagement coordinators, and consultants.
Support clear, culturally appropriate communication and engagement with Pacific delivery partners, regional bodies, government representatives, and other stakeholders.
Draft and coordinate programme communications materials, updates, publications, and correspondence as required.
Represent the programme professionally in meetings and engagements with partners and stakeholders.

Other

May be reasonably required to undertake other duties.

Qualifications and ExperienceEssential

Master’s degree, in project/programme management, education, development studies, public policy, or related field. Combinations of other education and equivalent experience will be considered.
Five or more years of progressive expertise in project planning and coordination, with demonstrated ability to successfully manage complexity across multiple workstreams.
Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams of specialists and consultants spread across multiple time zones to achieve project deliverables and outcomes.
Experience monitoring and reporting on budgets and financial utilisation.
Experience using project management and communication tools and software (Monday.com, Office365 etc).
Experience preparing reports and papers for senior governance or steering committee audiences.
Strong interpersonal and cultural competency, business and political acumen with a demonstrated ability to navigate complex relationships and contexts.

Desirable

Experience working in or with the Pacific region, especially with major regional donors and development partners, including a good understanding of and respect for Pacific protocols to engage effectively with NGOs and local government bodies.
Experience working with major Pacific regional donors and development partners.
Project management certification (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP, MSP).
Experience working within and in resource constrained environments.
Experience of development sector ways of working, including donor-funded programming environments and communicating and engaging with governments.
Experience or understanding of open, online, and blended learning approaches.
Experience or understanding of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems.
Experience or understanding of climate change, climate adaptation, green skills, and the transition to green/sustainable economies.
Knowledge of safe work methods and an ability to identify and address unsafe work practices.

Skills

Strong written communication skills, including report and paper writing for senior/government audiences.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively and respectfully across diverse cultural contexts.
Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including building trusted relationships with technical experts and partners.
High level of organisation and attention to detail.
Ability to manage competing priorities and exercise good judgement.

Core CompetenciesCore competencies support COL’s mission, vision and values. COL strives to model a high performing culture supported by professionals with the following competencies: I. Innovation & CreativityEmployees demonstrate curiosity, share ideas and learning, and embrace change to strengthen outcomes. They encourage diverse perspectives, brainstorm collaboratively, and create safe conditions for experimentation and learning from failure. At advanced levels, they remove barriers to innovation and champion solutions that advance COL’s mission and continuous improvement.II. Teamwork & CollaborationEmployees communicate with respect and transparency, honour commitments, and support shared goals. They strengthen cohesion by sharing information, seeking diverse perspectives, and upholding accountability. At advanced levels, they champion team decisions, build cross‑unit partnerships, and proactively remove barriers to collaboration to advance COL’s mission.III. Stewardship & AccountabilityEmployees act with integrity, follow through on commitments, and take responsibility for actions, resources, and outcomes. They raise concerns when quality or ethics may be compromised, ensure fairness and transparency, and align daily work with COL’s mission. At advanced levels, they identify gaps, strengthen resource stewardship, and guide ethical, evidence‑informed decisions that protect public trust and support sustainable results.IV. Equity & InclusionEmployees demonstrate respect, cultural awareness, and fairness in all interactions. They raise concerns about exclusion, invite diverse perspectives, address inappropriate behaviours, and ensure equal access to information and opportunities. At advanced levels, they remove systemic barriers, shape equitable practices, and champion inclusive learning environments that expand access, representation, and opportunity across communities and partner institutions.V. Leadership in ContextEmployees, regardless of role or title, demonstrate leadership by showing self-awareness, seeking feedback, and adapting their behaviour to strengthen team effectiveness. They model openness and flexibility as contexts shift and help others navigate complexity with clarity. At advanced levels, they foster shared leadership, elevate diverse perspectives, and align actions with long term organisational sustainability.VI. CommunicationEmployees communicate with clarity, respect, and purpose. They share information clearly and at the right time, and they listen closely to understand others. They adjust how they communicate, so their message resonates with different audiences. As they grow, they anticipate what stakeholders need to know, make complex issues easy to understand, and communicate in ways that strengthen alignment across programmes and Member States. At advanced levels, they serve as respected thought-leaders, and persuasive advocates, influencing stakeholders and advancing COL’s strategy. VII. Proactive Problem SolvingEmployees identify issues early, analyze root causes, and take initiative to resolve challenges. They anticipate risks and unintended consequences, collaborate across functions to cocreate solutions, and apply adaptive, solution focused thinking. At advanced levels, they recognise systemic patterns, promote scalable approaches, and guide teams through complex decisions that strengthen continuous improvement and evidence informed action.
To Apply:Interested applicants must apply online at the latest by August 31, 2026. The role will remain open until filled. We thank all applicants for their interest in COL. Applicants who have not been contacted by September 30, 2026, should consider that there may be no follow-up to their application for the above position. Please note: Background checks are a mandatory part of the employment process as an intergovernmental organisation.