Project Manager: Pacific Islands

Tradestaff Global is seeking expressions of interest from experienced Project Managers for a senior water and sanitation infrastructure role in the Pacific Islands (not PNG). 
This is a live-in role on a 5-year project, suited to someone with a strong civil engineering background, FIDIC contract experience and proven ability leading teams, managing stakeholders and supporting complex infrastructure delivery.

ABOUT OUR CLIENT:

Our client works on complex infrastructure projects in remote island locations, supporting practical delivery, technical planning and stakeholder engagement. Their projects are focused on essential services and long-term outcomes for local communities.
From early-stage planning through to final delivery, they take on challenging projects where precision, experience and technical know-how matter.
As their presence in the Pacific continues to grow, they are looking for an experienced Project Manager to help lead key projects in this evolving region.

THE ROLE:

The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting project delivery, contract oversight, technical reporting, stakeholder coordination and operational planning.
The role will involve working across water and sanitation infrastructure, asset management, operations and maintenance systems, risk management and technical capacity development.
This is a role for someone who can lead from the front, manage competing priorities and work confidently with technical teams, contractors, consultants, Government agencies and community groups.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The role include:

• Technical reporting.
• Maintaining the project risk register.
• Supporting asset management systems.
• Providing utility planning support.
• Supporting operations and maintenance systems.
• Working with GIS applications and related systems.
• Reviewing and approving contractor designs, calculations and methodologies.
• Reviewing designs for water source, transmission, storage and distribution works.
• Reviewing designs and plans to improve water supply hydraulic performance and system integration.
• Witnessing testing and commissioning.
• Supporting institutional arrangements for the operation and maintenance of sanitation facilities.
• Designing and delivering training programmes.
• Supporting technical capacity development across project teams and stakeholders.
• Coordinating with technical experts, consultants and project support personnel where required.
• Project systems, reporting and documentation.

• Building positive working relationships with local companies, local trades and community-based stakeholders.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

A highly experienced project leader with a strong civil engineering background and proven experience managing complex infrastructure or utility-related projects.
You Will Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or equivalent.
• Minimum 15 years’ overall experience.
• Proven water and sanitation infrastructure experience.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience leading professional and semi-professional staff.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience managing project stakeholders, including Government agencies and community groups.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience managing contracts as the Engineer under FIDIC contracts.
• Experience processing contractor and/or consultant claims and variations.
• Strong technical reporting skills.
• Experience with asset management and utility planning.
• Experience with water and sanitation infrastructure.
• Understanding of O&M systems.
• Experience with GIS applications.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to review technical designs, calculations and methodologies.
• Strong planning, documentation and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of Small Island Developing States would be preferred.

WHAT’S ON OFFER:

• Live-in role based in the Pacific Islands.
• Long-term 5-year project opportunity.
• Several paid return flights to and from New Zealand per year for the right candidate.
• Opportunity to contribute to essential water and sanitation infrastructure delivery.

 
Full salary, travel, accommodation and employment details will be discussed with shortlisted candidates.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• This is a senior project leadership role.

 

• Strong civil engineering, FIDIC contract and stakeholder management experience is required.

 

• Water, sanitation, utility or infrastructure project experience will be highly regarded.

 

• Further role details will be discussed with suitable shortlisted candidates.

 

• You must be comfortable living and working in the Pacific Islands.

 

• Candidates must hold a current New Zealand Passport.
• Candidates must be currently and permanently based in New Zealand.

• You must be able to pass pre-employment checks, including medical, drug and alcohol, and police checks.
• A full Class 1 NZ Driver Licence is required.

 
Overseas FIFO project work is not just another job — it is a different way of working, contributing and delivering.

WHAT NOW?

Apply online with an up-to-date CV that clearly outlines your experience mentioned below. Please also include a cover letter outlining salary expectations.
Please ensure your CV includes details of:

• Projects worked on.
• Contract values where possible.
• Stakeholders managed.
• Team sizes led.
• FIDIC contract responsibilities.
• Claims and variation experience.
• Water, sanitation, utility or infrastructure experience.

 
We can only accept online applications. You will receive an automatic acknowledgement when your application has been submitted successfully.
If your initial application is successful, Tradestaff Global will contact you with further information about the role and next steps.
READY TO TAKE YOUR EXPERIENCE OFFSHORE?

Tradestaff Global places experienced people across a wide range of construction, infrastructure and industrial roles, including Project Managers, Construction Managers, Site Managers, Electrical Engineers, Carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers, HVAC Technicians, Duct Installers, Pipefitters, Welders, Machine Operators and more.
Explore current opportunities at www.tradestaffglobal.com