JOB DESCRIPTION

About the Program 

The PNG Partnerships for Improving Education (PIE) program is focused on the early grades. Through PIE, early grade teachers are supported to upskill and upgrade their qualifications. PIE works to support the creation of an enabling environment for systemic change through strengthened policies and practice.

The PIE program is a five-year investment in teaching and learning designed to improve access, equity, and student learning outcomes in the early grades through professional development for teachers and improved governance and service delivery. In PNG low attendance and high rates of over-age enrolment, repetition, and retention hinder children’s progress. This is especially true for girls and children living with disabilities in rural remote locations.

The PIE program works at the national and sub-national level to facilitate, test, and monitor emerging good practices and ways to address priority challenges related to access, equity, learning and retention. PIE contributes expertise and resources to the national teacher upgrading program for early grade teachers.

The expected end-of-investment outcomes (EOIO) for the PIE investment are:

• Targeted Outcome 1: More children (girls, boys, and children with disabilities) in the early grades enrol and stay in school in selected locations using replicable and sustainable approaches.
• Targeted Outcome 2: Targeted provinces are using sustainable and replicable approaches to support improvements in the quality of teaching and learning in the early grades.
• Enabling Outcome 3: Evidence of systemic change within the education sector that improves the delivery of early grades education.

About the Opportunity

The Government of Papua New Guinea’s National Education Plan 2020–2029 introduces a major reform to the basic education structure, transitioning from the current 3-6-4 model to a 1-6-6 model. This change is designed to improve learning outcomes by increasing access and equity nationwide. A key element of this reform is the phase-out of elementary schools and the professional development of the elementary teaching workforce, of which fewer than 14% currently hold diploma or degree-level qualifications.

In response, the Partnerships for Improving Education (PIE) Program, in collaboration with the National Department of Education (NDoE), the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST), and the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), is supporting the implementation of a Diploma upgrade pathway for elementary teachers. Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is leading the course co-design and implementation alongside selected Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

The Teacher Upgrade Coordinator will support this initiative by providing essential administrative, data management, and logistical assistance to the Teacher Upgrade Manager. The Coordinator will play a central role in ensuring effective coordination and reporting of upgrade activities across participating HEIs, including tracking participation of lecturers and teachers, and supporting the delivery of refresher training and course logistics.

Key responsibilities 

Data Management and Supporting

• Develop and maintain an Excel-based tracking workbook to monitor:
• Lecturer participation by name and institution (training and refresher attendance); and
• Teacher registration and attendance by HEI.
• Ensure data is regularly updated, accurate, and aligned with program reporting needs.
• Provide summary reports and dashboards to the Teacher Upgrade Manager as requested.
• Support the consolidation of a range of other MERLA data related to the Teacher Upgrade Activities to address duplication and fragmentation risks.

Contract Management Support

• Support contract payments for milestone and reimbursable payment approvals.
• Develop and maintain an Excel-based payment tracker.
• Support contract drafting including contract variations.

Training Coordination

• Support registration, communication, and logistics for lecturer refresher training (e.g. at PNGEI).
• Assist in the distribution of training materials and ensure accurate attendance records are maintained.
• Liaise with HEIs to confirm lecturer and teacher training schedules and enrolments.

Administration support

• Support planning and scheduling of training and meetings related to the Diploma program.
• Assist with documentation and filing of course development and training materials.
• Contribute to the preparation of progress reports and meeting minutes.
• Prepare internal travel approval documents.
• Working collaboratively with PIE travel, procurement and finance officers to ensure travel approval and confirmation is timely and accurate.

Stakeholder engagement

• Act as a key point of contact between the Teacher Upgrade Team and partner HEIs for registration and training data.
• Provide responsive support to HEIs regarding course coordination queries.

Undertake any other duties relevant to the role as directed by the Teacher Upgrade Manager to support delivery of the program.

Key deliverables

• Up-to-date and functional Excel tracking workbook (lecturer and teacher data).
• Up-to-date contracts register including payment and report tracking.
• Weekly progress updates to Teacher Upgrade Manager
• Accurate registration and attendance data for all refresher training sessions.
• Acuate, well drafted, internal documentation for activity approval by PIE senior management.
• Support provided to training logistics and communication with HEIs.

Key working relationships 

• PIE Teacher Upgrade Manager
• Higher Education Specialist
• PIE Operations Lead
• Abt PNG Travel team
• Queensland University of Technology
• Representatives from participating HEIs

About You 

For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided.

Essential:

• Tertiary qualification in education, project administration, data management, or a related field
• Strong skills in Microsoft Excel and data tracking
• Demonstrated experience in coordination or administrative roles
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines

Desirable:

• Experience working with education institutions in PNG
• Familiarity with government or donor-funded education programs
• Understanding of teacher professional development and training delivery

How to Apply

• Please ensure to address the Key Selection Criteria (About You) in your cover letter, and submit your application online, along with your CV as a single document. 
• Applications must be submitted personally by individuals only. Applications submitted by a company or organisation will not be accepted. 
• The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt.

We welcome and thank all applications; however only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Closing Date:  Monday 18^th August 2025 (Midday, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT