JOB DESCRIPTION

Location: Buka, Autonomous Region of Bougainville

Commencement:  March 2026

Open to PNG Citizens

About the Program 

The Bougainville Partnership (BP) took on its current form in 2016, inheriting activities from a number of separately administered initiatives. The new program commencing April 2022 is identified as a key element of the new Australian Subnational Strategic Framework for PNG, recently established to bring together a rationale and operational framework for a set of place-based initiatives that reflect geographical priorities based on the mutual interests of Australia and PNG.

For Australia the emergence of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Bougainville is a key national interest; supporting the Government of PNG and the Autonomous Bougainville Government to implement the Bougainville Peace Agreement is an explicit commitment in the 2017 White Paper. An overriding interest is to maintain the peace that the Agreement brought about and that is enabled by political dialogue, within and outside Bougainville, and economic development. It implies a readiness to engage for the long term, accepting that the development of institutions and diversified economic opportunities will be slow.

The structure of the program remains similar to the Bougainville Partnership’s previous program, but with updated outcomes as follows:

Pillar 1 – Capable institutions

1. GoPNG and ABG institutions are able to carry out high priority tasks that support Bougainville’s development and the post-referendum dialogue: Supporting defined tasks connected with the development of essential institutions, the draw-down of powers, Post-Referendum Dialogue and/or an aligned road map that leads towards greater autonomy.

Pillar 2 – Economic development

2. ABG and business associations jointly plan and implement initiatives to improve the private sector environment for inclusive economic development: Measures to improve the environment for private sector development and deepen the dialogue between the government and the private sector will be promoted through technical assistance.

3. Women and men engaged in primary production have increased incomes and benefit from inclusive associations and cooperatives: The current agricultural value chain activities will be continued, focussing on improving cocoa quality and linking producers to markets. This objective must be complemented with an economic inclusive policy and strategy that facilitates the interest of women, youth and people living with disabilities to actively participate and benefit from the economic activities.

Pillar 3 – Stronger communities

4. Community, youth and women’s groups collaborate effectively to establish sustainable community assets, deliver services and advocate for their target groups: Formerly the peace-building component, activities will include continuation and expansion of the existing successful community grants program, initiatives to provide skills and foster networks for youth, and community infrastructure.

Pillar Crosscutting Outcome:

5. Women increasingly participate in decision making and take on leadership roles in civic, economic and political spaces: The program will use the entry points from its range of activities to promote women’s leadership.

About the Opportunity 

In recent years the BP has implemented several infrastructure projects, including but not limited to:

• Arawa Hospital upgrade
• Bougainville Technical College administration block
• Education: 18 double classrooms
• Community Government: 10 Offices and 9 Community Halls
• Bougainville Commodities Regulatory Authority Lab
• More than one hundred small infrastructure projects through community and agricultural grant schemes

Going forward the BP program will increase infrastructure investments in governance, economic development, law and justice, education, health and other public infrastructure.

Reporting to the Infrastructure Manager (IM), the Infrastructure Officer (IO) will undertake the following core functions:

 

BP Infrastructure Delivery

• Support DIU, Abt and contractor staff to coordinate and ensure the effective completion of approved infrastructure projects delivered directly by the BP program.
• Support BP staff to efficiently coordinate and ensure the effective completion of approved infrastructures including, WASH, building projects as needs dictate, while working across the BP Pillars on behalf of the BP program.

Capacitation of the ABG

• Support the IM and the BP Infrastructure Unit with the capacitation of the Department of Infrastructure & Utilities (DIU) to oversee and deliver infrastructure projects.
• Support the BP and other development partners to deliver procurement, contracting, contract management, logistics delivery and compliance.
• Assist the IM the BP Infrastructure Unit with the development and maintenance of relationships and linkages with the ABG and core partners in relation to Bougainville’s infrastructure development.

The IO will demonstrate a visible and systematic commitment to achieving gender equality through the APSP and for achieving against agreed gender equality performance objectives.

Key Responsibilities 

Reporting to the IM, the IO’s specific responsibilities will include:

BP Infrastructure Delivery

• Provide project oversight and support of infrastructure processes across the portfolio of infrastructure related works focusing on the planning, delivery contracts, loss prevention of materials and equipment, supply chain custody, oversight of local contractors and community development, including management of the successful execution for the delivery of projects on time, cost and quality.
• Assessing progress of projects, monitoring compliance to scopes of works and costed work plans, and providing evaluations of contractors’ performance to the IM.
• Provide feedback for tracking and reporting systems on all infrastructure projects across the program to the IM. This is to include WHS, equipment/material loss and damage, delays and community issues.
• Prepare written reports on specific issues as requested for regular and ad hoc reporting including collating, storing and managing relevant monitoring and evaluation data and information and support the production of bi-monthly, six monthly and annual reports.
• Travel throughout Bougainville to conduct site inspections and oversee and liaise with consultants, construction contractors and local officials on construction activities to prepare update reports through to final sign off and Taking Over Certificates to end users.
• Provide information for progress reports, record any delays, detail foreseeable risks with recommendations for the way forward, recorded incidents of non-compliance and remaining activities planned.
• Work with the BP Infrastructure Unit to evaluate service providers (contractors) have comprehensively fulfilled their contractual obligations ensuring the service provider acts quickly to redress faults and the close out of the contract.
• Oversee procurement, supervise contractors and grantees engaged to build small infrastructure projects.
• Ensure that infrastructure (construction, refurbishment and maintenance and renovation) activities reflect DFAT development principles of gender equity and social inclusion.

Capacitation of the ABG

• Alongside DIU counterparts, support the strengthening DIU’s processes, knowledge and strengthening counterpart’s skills.
• Support the BP and other development partners to progressively utilise DIU systems and process in infrastructure delivery and contract compliance.
• Work with DIU counterparts in understanding and utilising the ABG procurement processes on funded and partly funded projects.
• In cooperation with the IM and BP advisers, provide advice on the development of a training activity or package for ABG personnel managing infrastructure projects. Mentor ABG staff in standard compliance and completion requirements.
• Strengthen the capacity of local crafts people and unskilled labour on projects through exposure to projects funded or partly funded by BP. Ensure attendance lists are maintained for casual labour and are paid as per the contract at project completion.
• Assist the IM to liaise with Australian-funded transport and infrastructure programs in Bougainville to support implementation effectiveness.

Specific Deliverables

• Successful oversight and reporting on approved infrastructure projects implemented directly by the BP program.
• Successful oversight and reporting on approved infrastructure projects delivered by service providers on behalf of the BP program.
• The DIU staff are capacitated to adhere to their core processes and standard operating procedures at project sites.
• The BP and other development partners are progressively utilising DIU systems and process in procurement, contracting, contract management, delivery and compliance.
• Enhanced relationships, problem-solving, and GEDSI integration with key stakeholders and counterparts in support of Bougainville Partnership development priorities
• Undertake other duties and responsibilities as required to cover the IM and IO during absence from the program

Key working relationships 

ABG & GoPNG 

• Senior Staff, Department of Utilities & Infrastructure
• Other ABG Departments as agreed

Bougainville Partnership 

• Infrastructure Manager
• Infrastructure & Facilities Lead

External Stakeholders

• Contractors
• Grantees and Local Community Representatives
• Technical Advisors

About You:

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications relevant to construction or infrastructure projects desirable.
• Trade qualified in construction (buildings) preferrable.

Knowledge 

• Demonstrated knowledge of infrastructure project delivery, logistics, coordination and processes appropriate for use in rural and remote infrastructure delivery.
• Demonstrated knowledge of project supervision, risk management, monitoring, quality assurance, and project completion requirements.
• Knowledge of project planning, work plans, capacity building and project reporting.

• Skills/Experience
• Minimum 5 years’ working in the construction industry.
• At least 5 years’ experience working in procurement, project delivery, working with governments or development partners would be advantageous.
• At least 5 years work experience in construction, procurement and contractor management/supervision of sub-contractors.
• Competent level of analytical, written and verbal communication skills in English
• Good communication and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work in remote locations.
• Willingness to integrate and promote principles of gender equity and social inclusion in all aspects of this role including in program design, implementation, and evaluation where relevant and feasible.

Personal Attributes

• Delivers Results
• Develops People
• Communicates Effectively
• Plans and Delivers on Project Work
• Builds Teams and Cooperation
• Promotes Quality and Continuous Improvement
• Promotes Diversity Acts as a Role Model

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 organization will not be accepted.
• The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt.

Abt Associates 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.

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

Closing Date:  Friday 16^th January 2026 (5pm, local time) 

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