JOB DESCRIPTION

• Commencement: November 2025 
• Long Term role based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
• Open to All Applicants 

About the Program 

The Australia PNG Economic Partnership (APEP) known as “The Partnership” is a multi-sectoral investment to assist the Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) to create a stable and more prosperous country. The investment is the main vehicle and coordination point from which Australia will deliver its economic development aid to PNG.

APEP has five End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs):

• EOPO 1 – Safeguarding Macroeconomic Stability
• EOPO 2 – Strengthening Public Financial Management for Improved Service Delivery and Inclusive Growth
• EOPO 3 – Supporting More Efficient and Inclusive Markets
• EOPO 4 – Fostering Inclusive Growth and Expanded Livelihoods
• EOPO 5 – Catalysing Economic Research and Dialogue.

About the Opportunity

The Communications Adviser will play a pivotal role in leading and managing the communications function within APEP. This includes management and strategic oversight of the APEP Communications Team and leading the communications relationship with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Key responsibilities 

• Manage and guide APEP’s Communications Team, ensuring clear priorities, cohesive messaging, and high-impact delivery in all outputs.
• Lead the engagement between the APEP Communications team, the Australian High Commission (AHC) Economics Program Communications Lead, and the AHC PD team.  Act as the primary communications liaison between APEP and DFAT, fostering a productive relationship grounded in shared goals and expectations.
• Design and implement efficient internal workflows, protocols, and pipelines to streamline the development and approval of communications products. This will include overseeing management of the APEP events calendar.
• Ensuring coherent and integrated processes between the Communications Unit and all of the APEP pillar teams.
• Lead the timely and proactive preparation for public diplomacy (PD) events and opportunities, ensuring communications support is aligned with DFAT requirements and well-executed.
• Drive the development of strategic communications materials—including digital, print, and multimedia assets—tailored to stakeholder audiences, aligned to DFAT priorities, and compliant with DFAT style guide, branding and timeline protocols.
• Promote the work of APEP to stakeholders and general audiences through development of high-quality impact stories – this will involve working closely with the APEP MERLA team.
• Work to embed program compliance with DFAT’s style guide and branding protocols (through implementation of APEP’s style guide).
• Ensure all communications outputs meet DFAT style guides, branding requirements, and deadlines, while complying with Abt Global policies and standards.
• Provide technical communications advice and support to all APEP teams as required.
• Lead the implementation of APEP’s Communications and PD Strategy.
• Ensure that APEP’s communications products are inclusive and integrate GEDSI principles and strategies, as well as other cross-cutting areas such as climate and localisation.
• Any other reasonable duties as required.

Key deliverables

• Situational Analysis – outline strengths and weaknesses in current workflows and systems and propose solutions for improvement.
• Work Plan – lead development of Communications Unit Annual Work Plan and address issues raised in the Situational Analysis.
• Monthly Report – outline progress within Work Plan, highlight any challenges or constraints, recommend changes or solutions.
• Six Monthly and other reports – contribute to the drafting, review and quality control of APEP reports.
• Completion Report – within two weeks of contract expiry.
• High level of responsiveness to AHC issues and requests – for duration of contract period.

Key working relationships 

• Deputy Director – Manager
• Communications Team – counterparts
• APEP Director and all Team Leaders – direct stakeholders
• APEP Cross cutting team – colleagues
• Relevant AHC representatives – client
• Relevant GoPNG representatives – as required

About You 

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

• Tertiary qualifications in communications, public relations, media or other relevant discipline.
• Demonstrated experience (10+ years desirable) in delivering communications strategies and activities for large, complex programs – this includes the development of effective communications products and impact stories.
• Demonstrated experience working with teams in a large and complex organisation to establish and implement effective communications protocols and workflows.
• Demonstrated experience working in a cross-cultural setting to build team capability and performance.
• Outstanding verbal and written communications skills, including the ability to engage effectively with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to the principles of inclusion, localisation and equity and demonstrated ability to actively integrate these principles into daily work.
• Experience working in PNG or another international development context will be highly regarded.
• Experience working with DFAT or other donor organisations will be highly regarded.

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, 21 August 2025 (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.