JOB DESCRIPTION

• Commencement: January 2026  
• Locally Engaged Staff
• Based in Port Moresby 
• Open to PNG citizens only 

About the Program

The Australia Papua New Guinea Economic Partnership (APEP) is a multi-sectoral investment to assist GoPNG to create a stable and more prosperous country. The investment is the main vehicle and coordination point from which Australia delivers its economic development aid to PNG and is the primary vehicle to implement Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP).   

APEP contributes to the achievement of the following overarching goal: a resilient and diversified economy that provides a high quality of life for all Papua New Guineans. APEP’s overarching 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. 

APEP is a multi-sector investment with gender equality, disability social inclusion (GEDSI) and women’s economic empowerment (WEE), climate as well as economic dialogue and open government, positioned as cross-cutting objectives working across all engagement areas.

About the Opportunity

The Program Manager is part of the core programming team responsible for the delivery of projects under the Efficient and inclusive Markets (EIM) workstream within the APEP Program. This portfolio contains a diverse range of activities focused on increasing access to financial services, improving the capabilities and opportunities for businesses, and strengthening the business enabling environment in PNG. 

The Program Manager will collaborate with partners from Government agencies, the private sector and civil society to implement activities in accordance with contractual agreements and agreed work plans.

Working under the Unit Manager and EIM Team Leader, the Program Manager will support the full project lifecycle including program design, procurement, contracting, personnel and subcontractor management, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting.  The Program Manager will therefore play an important supporting role to ensure the effective and efficient management of programs across the EIM workstream.

There may also be additional opportunities for the Program Manager to support other programmatic areas across APEP, as directed by the Program Director.

Key responsibilities 

Job specific activities

• Support program design and implementation activities that contribute to the achievement of end-of-investment outcomes.
• Build and maintain open, productive and outcome orientated relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including DFAT, GoPNG and private sector partners.
• Liaise with internal team members to ensure desired outcomes are achieved efficiently.
• Support program monitoring, reviews, and evaluations that measure the achievement of end-of-investment outcomes. 
• Support the development of project budgets and costings, contributing to expenditure monitoring and tracking.
• Track contractual deliverables, milestones, risks and progress – as instructed by the Unit Manager or Team Leader.
• Manage engagements with external stakeholders in line with the Partnership’s standard operating procedures.

Program management and monitoring

• Provide a high standard of written work including policy and program briefs, concept notes for potential new projects, weekly program updates, meeting agendas and minutes, and program reporting.
• Lead the tracking and monitoring of program personnel and contractors to ensure progress against agreed deliverables, policies and procedures and budgets.
• Manage program implementation including but not limited to contracting, procurement, budget and contract management, logistics, management of invoices, payments, timesheets and recruitment.
• Contribute to the program and activity reporting at the Partnership level, including six-monthly and annual reports and other monitoring reports.
• Contribute to the project-level monitoring and evaluation (M&E), including data tabulation and management and the Partnership’s M&E system.
• Lead selected stakeholder engagements associated with program delivery.
• Integrate and promote principles of gender equity and social inclusion in all work, including in program design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Proactively identify, report, and manage risk and fraud issues following corporate and DFAT policies and procedures.

Coordination and representation

• Represent APEP at internal and external meetings and events.
• Coordinate and organise internal and external meetings, events and seminars with program partners and key stakeholders.
• Lead relevant stakeholder engagement and relationships with program partners and PNG Government counterparts.
• Assist in the management of relationships with the client and other key stakeholders.
• Contribute to program technical and strategy discussions.

Budget management

• Manage, assess and coordinate the payment of invoices and the sourcing of quotes that align with the facility’s financial procurement standards and processes.
• Input into the management and update of workstream budgets and forecasts aligned to the workstreams activities and contracts.

Other

• Participate in communities of practice, as relevant.
• Explore and recommend avenues for integrating cross-cutting priorities such as the empowerment of women and girls, child protection, social inclusion, and values-based leadership.
• Any other reasonable duties as directed.

Specific Deliverables 

• Accurate written and financial reporting submitted by deadlines.
• Establishment and ongoing monitoring of project activities.
• Periodic and structured partner meetings.
• Quality support proved to design and implementation of activities and monitoring.
• Responsive support to the Team Leader, Unit Manager and internal APEP program staff.

Key working relationships 

• Efficient and Inclusive Markets workstream team
• Internal stakeholders including APEP and Abt PNG team members.
• External stakeholders including the AHC, GoPNG, private and public organisations, NGO and financial institutions.

About You 

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

• Relevant degree in economics, business, development studies, public policy, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex development programs, including design, implementation, procurement, contracting, budgeting, and monitoring in alignment with donor and government systems.
• Proven ability to build and maintain productive relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector, civil society, and development partners, ensuring collaborative and outcome-focused engagement.
• Strong capability in developing and applying monitoring and evaluation frameworks, tracking deliverables, managing risks, and producing high-quality written reports, briefs, and program documentation.
• Demonstrated experience in managing budgets, financial tracking, procurement processes, and contract administration to ensure compliance with organisational and donor standards.
• Demonstrated understanding and integration of gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI), women’s economic empowerment, and climate change considerations into program design and 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:  Sunday, 14 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.

Our organisation values diversity and inclusion and we encourage applications from experienced women and people with disabilities.

<For more information on the role and how to apply, please click on ‘Apply Now’>

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