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: C2. Reports to: Vice-President. Type of Contract: Fixed-Term 5 years (with potential for renewal). Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada. Compensation: $82,000.00 - $111,000.00 per year. COL is seeking local or international talent with experience in, or with, the Pacific region.
The Role: The 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, working closely with COL education experts who design projects and lead workstream delivery, as well as monitoring and evaluation and communication and engagement experts. It 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 Responsibilities: 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 with education and government partners in the region; coordinate planning and delivery with COL workstream leads and the Director of PACFOLD. Prepare regular progress reports against programme milestones, outputs and outcomes, including semi-annual reports to funders; monitor and report on budget utilisation and expenditure; maintain programme management systems and tools (risk registers, schedules, dashboards, log frames); contribute to monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL) processes. Support compliance with funder and organisational policies including Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Value for Money, and Gender Equality and Disability Inclusion; identify, monitor and escalate operational and compliance risks. Prepare papers, briefings and presentations for governance and steering committee meetings and coordinate governance meeting logistics. Build and maintain effective working relationships with key delivery partners, sub-regional engagement coordinators and consultants; support culturally appropriate communication with Pacific delivery partners, regional bodies and government representatives; draft programme communications materials.
Qualifications and Experience (Essential): Master's degree in project/programme management, education, development studies, public policy or related field (combinations of other education and equivalent experience considered); five or more years of progressive expertise in project planning and coordination with demonstrated ability to manage complexity across multiple workstreams; demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams of specialists and consultants across multiple time zones; experience monitoring and reporting on budgets and financial utilisation; experience using project management and communication tools (Monday.com, Office365); experience preparing reports and papers for senior governance or steering committee audiences; strong interpersonal and cultural competency, business and political acumen.
Desirable: Experience working in or with the Pacific region, especially with major regional donors and development partners, including understanding of and respect for Pacific protocols to engage with NGOs and local government bodies; project management certification (PRINCE2, PMP, MSP); experience in resource constrained environments; experience of development sector ways of working including donor-funded programming; understanding of open, online and blended learning approaches; understanding of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems; understanding of climate change, climate adaptation, green skills and the transition to green/sustainable economies.
Closing date: 2026-08-31
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested applicants must apply online at https://opportunitiesatcol.applytojobs.ca/programmes/49434/apply at the latest by August 31, 2026. The role will remain open until filled. Applicants who have not been contacted by September 30, 2026, should consider that there may be no follow-up to their application. Background checks are a mandatory part of the employment process as an intergovernmental organisation.