JOB DESCRIPTION

• Commencement: December 2025 or January 2026  
• Short Term Adviser role with 35 days input 
• Remote desk-based with in-country input in Port Moresby, PNG 
• Open to all applicants

About the Program

The Australia – PNG Economic Partnership (APEP) is a multi-sectoral investment to assist GoPNG to create a stable and more prosperous country. The investment is a key coordination point from which Australia delivers its economic development support to PNG in alignment with the Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP). The Australian Government is committed to delivering the Partnership in accordance with the principles of integration and alignment with PNG’s economic sector policies, systems and processes.

The Partnership’s policy objective is to assist PNG in its efforts to achieve sustained growth, capable of lifting the standard of living of all citizens, while also ensuring Australia maintains its reputation as PNG’s economic partner of choice.

The Partnership has gender equality, disability social inclusion (GEDSI), women’s economic empowerment (WEE), climate change, economic dialogue and open government positioned as cross-cutting objectives across all engagement areas.

It has the following End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs):

• EOPO 1 Safeguard Macroeconomic Stability
• EOPO 2 Support More Efficient and Inclusive Markets 
• EOPO 3 Foster Inclusive Growth & Expanded Livelihoods
• EOPO 4 Catalysing Economic Research and Dialogue

About the Opportunity

The CDRI Specialist will play a pivotal role in advancing the GoPNG’s efforts to mainstream climate and disaster risk considerations into public investment planning (PIP) and budgeting. Working in close partnership with Treasury, DNPM, and APEP, the CDRI Specialist will lead the design and delivery of targeted training and capacity-building activities, supporting the rollout of the CDRS tool and its application, and importantly the integration of climate disaster risks in PIP through related methodologies across national agencies.

The CDRI Specialist will provide technical leadership and hands-on support to strengthen institutional processes, develop training resources, and facilitate knowledge transfer. Through collaboration with key government partners, the CDRI Specialist will help ensure that climate risk integration becomes a core element of PIP submission development, enabling agencies to meet international standards and access climate finance. The Specialist’s work will contribute directly to the achievement of APEP’s strategic outcomes in climate resilience, gender equality, and inclusive development, while supporting PNG’s commitments under the IMF RSF and national policy frameworks.

Key responsibilities 

Design and Develop Training Program

• Draft, finalise, and submit a comprehensive training implementation plan for CDRS Phase 2, covering February 2026 – August 2027.
• Develop and produce facilitator guides, training manuals, resource materials, and presentation files in agreed formats.
• Produce digital and print versions of all training resources to support accessibility and future use.
• Ensure all materials incorporate climate disaster risk integration, GEDSI, and women’s economic empowerment principles.
• Incorporate feedback from training sessions and stakeholder consultations to iteratively improve training materials throughout the activity period.

Facilitator Training for Treasury and DNPM

• Organise and deliver facilitator training sessions on CDRI for Treasury and DNPM staff in February 2026, applying a “train the trainers” approach to build sustainable in-house capacity.
• Prepare and deliver practical exercises, PNG-specific case studies, with real PIP submission examples to ensure hands-on learning, generating modules for use in current and future facilitator training.
• Submit attendance records, feedback forms, and summary reports on training outcomes to the APEP MERLA team.
• Provide post-training mentoring and support to Treasury and DNPM staff as they prepare to roll out CDRI training to other agencies.

Support Government-wide Training Rollout

• Support Treasury and DNPM staff in conducting CDRI training targeting DOWH, DOT, DLPP, NEA (March–May 2026).
• Provide technical assistance during training sessions, including preparation of presentation files, exercises, and handouts.
• Monitor and document participant attendance, engagement, and feedback.
• Assist DOWH, DOT, DLPP, and NEA in reviewing and improving their draft 2027 PIP submissions for climate considerations.

Contribute to PIP Guidelines and Treasury Circulars

• Draft and propose updates to PIP guidelines and proposal templates to reflect climate disaster risk integration requirements.
• Prepare summary notes, letters, or memos for Treasury circulars to communicate changes to all government agencies (June–August 2026).
• Ensure all updates are aligned with IMF RSF requirements and GoPNG policy.

Technical Support for Expanded Training (2027)

• Provide ongoing technical support to Treasury and DNPM for training DAL, PNGFA, and NDOH (March–May 2027).
• Develop and deliver updated training materials, facilitator guides, and exercises tailored to DAL, PNGFA, and NDOH.
• Support review and improvement of draft 2028 PIP submissions for climate considerations.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Contribute to monthly and quarterly progress reports led by APEP Climate Change Adviser and MERLA, including KPIs and lessons learned.
• Support APEP MERLA in documenting impact stories and best practices from training activities and PIP development.
• Support APEP in providing data and information for the evaluation and learning assessment activity led by APEP in June – August 2026 breakpoint period. 
• Lead the final reflection and learning workshop in August 2027, including preparation of workshop presentations and summary reports.
• Ensure all training materials, guides, and resources are formally handed over to Treasury and DNPM at project close-out.

Safeguarding, GEDSI, and Inclusion

• Integrate safeguarding, gender equality, disability, and social inclusion principles into all training activities and materials.
• Ensure at least 30% female participation in all training sessions.
• Apply gender assessment guidelines and tools and include PNG case studies in training content.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Liaise with key partners and stakeholders to coordinate training schedules, logistics, and content.
• Communicate through letters, emails, and reports to stakeholders as required.
• Support APEP’s communication plan by providing content for newsletters, social media, and project portals.

Key working relationships 

• APEP Climate Change Adviser (CCA)
• Treasury (TSY) and Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM) staff
• Department of Works and Highways (DOWH)
• Department of Transport (DOT)
• Department of Lands and Physical Planning (DLPP)
• National Energy Authority (NEA)
• PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA)
• Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL)
• National Department of Health (NDOH)
• APEP Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, Learning and Adaptation (MERLA) team
• Other relevant GoPNG agencies and development partners as required

About You 

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

• Advanced degree (master’s or higher) in climate change, disaster risk management, environmental science, public policy, economics, or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, or public sector climate integration, preferably in developing or emerging economies.
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering training programs and capacity-building initiatives for government agencies or international organisations.
• Proven track record in mainstreaming climate and disaster risk considerations into public investment planning, budgeting, or policy development.
• Strong understanding of international climate finance mechanisms, standards, and frameworks (e.g., IMF RSF, UNFCCC, GCF, AF).
• Experience working with multi-sectoral teams and engaging with senior government officials, development partners, and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; ability to produce high-quality training materials and reports.
• Prior work experience in the Pacific region, especially Papua New Guinea or similar contexts.
• Familiarity with gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) principles and their integration into climate resilience programming.
• Experience supporting the development and rollout of digital and print training resources.
• Knowledge of public investment proposal (PIP) processes and government planning cycles.
• Experience facilitating workshops, mentoring, and knowledge transfer in multicultural environments.

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:  Thursday, 18 December 2025 (Midday, 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