JOB DESCRIPTION

• Commencement: March 2026
• Long term role
• Based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea with some provincial travel
• Open to All applicants

About the Program 

A stable, prosperous, peaceful, and resilient PNG is critical to Australia”s interests. Australia is PNG”s largest development partner, its main partner on economic and security issues.

The Australia PNG Subnational Program (APSP) is an enabling mechanism comprised of three separately designed programs including: Bougainville Partnership (BP), Kokoda Initiative Partnership (KIP), and the Western Province Partnership (WPP). Each program has its own outcomes, theory of change, operational approach and separate monitoring and evaluation systems.

The APSP also includes the Subnational Governance Implementation Plan (SGIP) that proposes a scalable foundational delivery model of subnational engagement. The SGIP is referenced in the APSP Contract and Strategic Framework as the continuation of the current network of subnational advisers (SNA) in the Western Province, Highlands, Sepik’s and Morobe.

The Subnational Governance Implementation Plan (SGIP) is part of the Subnational Strategic Framework. The SGIP’s goal is to improve capacity, governance, and service delivery at subnational level, and greater coordination of Australia investments. The SGIP also priorities engagement with key national agencies to support targeted provincial capacity development, improved policy compliance and opportunity for policy dialogues.

To achieve the aims of SGIP, the following will be undertaken:

• Carry out Organisational Capacity Assessments (OCA) with Provincial Administrations in selected provinces.
• Implement Provincial Capacity Development Plans targeting priority organisational areas/functions, determined by the OCA findings and recommendations and in consultation with the administration.
• Align service delivery with the Government of PNG’s minimum priority areas.

Stronger coordination of PNG-Australia partnership programs at subnational level.

Position Overview 

The Team Leader (TL) will be responsible for the implementation of the APSP Subnational Governance Implementation Plan (SGIP). In undertaking this role, the TL will also provide strategic support to DFAT to coordinate Australian inputs in selected subnational contexts (Output 2), through the SGIP.

This will include the TL taking a leading role in the design and implementation of SGIP activities set out in approved Annual Work Plans, and in accordance with the activity logic. The TL’s will oversight activity implementation; budget and procurement tracking; and monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting of SGIP activities.

The TL will oversee support to the three sub-national offices (Lae, Mt Hagen, Wewak), including operational and administrative support, and coordination of activities and deliverables at the sub-national level.

The TL will also provide technical assistance to DFAT relating to key institutions and policy reforms (Output 3). A key function of the position will be to ensure greater linkages of investments and actions from the sub-national to the national policy level.

A key function of the position will be the demonstration of a visible and systematic commitment to achieving key policy priorities (gender, disability, climate change, subnational governance) at Abt and for achieving against agreed gender equality performance objectives.

Key Responsibilities 

Directly support the Executive Director for SGIP accountabilities through:

• Engage with and establish relationships with National Agencies and provincial Administrations as required.
• Ensure Australian High Commission staff are provided necessary introductions to establish relationships with key government agencies.
• Supporting strategic direction and sound management of the SGIP.
• Supporting high-level program management oversight of approved activities.
• Supporting whole of program integration and delivery in a way which is relevant, leverages resources and activities and is responsive to stakeholder needs and ensuring effective allocation of SGIP resources.

Program Component & Team Management 

• Manage the implementation of the APSP SGIP.
• Develop and manage the implementation of Annual Work Plans and Budgets for the SGIP.
• Oversight Organisational Capacity Assessments of approved partner provinces and municipal authorities.
• Oversight the production of capacity development plans for approved partner provinces and municipal authorities.
• Oversight the implementation of the Water Security Project in approved subnational localities.
• Complete monthly budget reviews and forecast updates for dissemination to DFAT.
• Complete financial management in line with Abt Associates policies and procedures including for SGIP budget cycle tracking, procurement, and contract support.
• Ensure that financial procedures and controls for the implementation of approved projects, contracts and grants are established, managed, and administered in accordance with Abt standards of transparency, accountability, and fiduciary risk.
• Support regular fiduciary risk reviews of approved projects to ensure accountable standards of management and administration.
• Update the SGIP Risk Register every quarter.
• Support the establishment of structures and systems required for the sound delivery management and administration of subnational-based personnel and activities.
• As directed, lead or support the delivery of special projects, including new activities under the SGIP.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Provide timely and high-quality progress reports, inclusive of relevant data, for M&E requirements to the APSP Executive Director and Performance Lead.
• Ensure the integration of APSP Key Policy Priorities (Gender, Disability, Climate Change and Subnational Governance) into relevant SGIP activities, workplans, and capacity development activities.
• Contribute to the production of analytical reports on APSP Program strategies, activities, risks, and issues for various stakeholders, including DFAT and Formal Committees.
• Contribute to ongoing performance information and data collection to update and maintain relevant Program baseline files and contribute to program reports as required.

GEDSI & Communications

• Support deliverables to implement the APSP GEDSI and Communication strategies, including preparation of relevant communications products.
• Demonstrate leadership support for the implementation of key diversity and inclusion policies
• Gender Mainstreaming: Ensure the SGIP planned activities address issues of women’s leadership, economic and physical security through mainstreaming inclusion principles and strategies across all work plans.

Other

• Other duties as reasonably directed by the Executive Director

Specific Deliverables

• Provide Annual Work Plans and Budgets for the SGIP.
• Update the SGIP Risk Register every quarter.
• Provide six monthly and annual progress reports to the APSP Executive Director and Performance Lead.
• Complete monthly budget reviews and forecast updates for dissemination to DFAT.
• Quality assure provincial election monitoring updates.
• Quality assure political economy analysis papers from provincial team members.
• Monitor, track, and report on activities that contribute to Key Policy Priorities (Gender, Disability, Climate Change, and Subnational Governance).
• Monitor, track, and report on activities that contribute to the APSP collaboration, policy dialogue and research trackers.
• Manage staff performance in accordance with Abt systems and requirements.

Key working relationships 

• SGIP subnational office team
• Subnational teams in POM, Morobe, Highlands and Sepik
• Facility Shared Services
• GEDSI & Safeguarding COP
• MERL & Communications COP
• Implementing Partners – national and sub national levels
• DFAT, GoPNG and key stakeholders at national and sub national levels
• DPLGA, NEFC and other government agencies as required

About You 

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in development, social welfare, international relations or a related field or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated skills and experience in advancing gender equality and inclusion approaches across workstreams.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to lead and build effective teams, especially in a remote, cross-cultural context.

Knowledge

• Demonstrated understanding of sub-national governance and the decentralisation agenda and priorities in PNG.
• Demonstrated understanding of Organisation Capacity Assessments

Skills/Experience

• At least 5-10 years of program management experience preferably in PNG or regional Melanesia.
• Experience working in institutional strengthening and capacity building of subnational government agencies.
• Experience in Monitoring and Evaluation of complex international development programs with multiple contributing workstreams and providing high-level written reports to management and donors.

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.
• Applicants must attach a valid Police Clearance Certificate obtained within 12 months from date their application is submitted.

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

Closing Date:  Tuesday, 16 December 2025, 12PM (Mid-day, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT

Abt Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to upholding high standards of Child Protection, Anti-bribery and Fraud Protection.

We encourage applications from experienced and capable women, and people with disabilities.