Employability Program Manager

Time Commitment: 32 hours per week for a minimum of 6 months

Reports to: Director of Operations

Start date: September 2026

Location: Lisboa, Portugal

Salary: Gross salary range €900–1,200, paid over 14 months, on an employment contract, plus a meal allowance of €6/day.

About the Lisbon Project

The Lisbon Project is a community-based non-profit that has supported over 8,000 migrants and refugees since 2017, mobilising a network of more than 1000 volunteers along the way.

We exist to integrate and empower our community through four core programme areas:

• Education

• Employability

• Social Care

• Community Life

We are now in a new chapter. Through our LP 2030 strategy, we are scaling our impact beyond Lisbon, deepening what we offer our community members and extending our model and influence nationally.

This is a moment to build, not just maintain — and we are looking for leaders who want to help shape what LP becomes next.

The Opportunity

Employment is one of the most decisive factors in whether a migrant or refugee is able to truly integrate in a new country.

Our Employability programme exists to change that, and it's one of the five core programmes at the Lisbon Project.

We're looking for an Employability Program Manager who will lead this programme with vision, not just keep it running — someone who enjoys building, is comfortable guiding a small team, and wants to grow the impact we can offer our community members.

What You'll Own

Program Strategy & Growth

• Lead the strategy and day-to-day direction of the Employability programme, with room to grow and improve how we deliver it.

• Build on and expand our core offer — CV support, skills and entrepreneurial workshops, mentorship and job matching — into a programme with measurable, sustainable outcomes.

• Grant Management — Act as the main point of contact and manager for the grant funding this programme, ensuring compliance, reporting and delivery against its goals.

• Use data and impact analysis to guide decisions and find new ways to grow the programme's reach.

Team Leadership

• Recruit, inspire and develop a team of volunteers and coordinators, building a culture of ownership and accountability rather than day-to-day oversight.

• Partner closely with People & Culture on recruitment, training and team development.

Partnerships & Representation

• Identify, build and steward a portfolio of corporate and employability partners who can open doors for our community members.

• Represent the Lisbon Project externally — with partners, funders and in employability and policy settings — as an ambassador for the programme's mission and results.

Impact & Reporting

• Track outcomes for community members and maintain robust programme data to demonstrate impact and inform strategy.

• Contribute to organisational planning, budgeting and reporting at leadership level.

What We're Looking For

• 2+ years of experience leading a project, programme or team, ideally with a track record of building something from an early stage.

• Fluent in English and Portuguese; other languages are a plus.

• Experience working with migrants, refugees or other vulnerable populations is highly desirable.

• Background in employability, skills training or HR is a strong advantage.

• A natural, motivational leader who is comfortable setting direction and holding a team accountable to it.

• Comfortable working in a diverse, cross-cultural environment.

• Confident with data, reporting and budgeting to guide decisions.

• Knowledge of the Portuguese employability sector and migrant employment rights is a plus.

What You'll Gain

• Real ownership of a programme at the heart of our community members' integration journey.

• The chance to grow with an organisation that's expanding its reach and impact.

• A network of partners, philanthropists and people from all over the world.

• Deep knowledge of the Portuguese NGO and migration landscape.

• A purpose-driven job where the work you do changes real lives, every day.

• 22 days of annual leave, plus additional paid leave over the Christmas period (typically around 7 extra days).

• Flexible working schedule to support a healthy work-life balance.

• A leadership position with real ownership and the opportunity to shape and grow a core programme.

How to Apply:

If you are interested in this role, please send your CV and a cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position and why you would be a good fit for the Lisbon Project to: peopleandculture@lisbonproject.org.

We can’t do it without you!

 Thank you for considering being part of the Lisbon Project team.