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 South Fly Resilience Plan and Western Province Partnership (WP). Each program has its own outcomes, theory of change, operational approach and separate monitoring and evaluation systems.

There are five high level outcomes which span all programs:

• Output one: Effective gender-centred programs delivered for Bougainville, Kokoda, Western Province and the Subnational Governance Implementation Plan.
• Output two: Support DFAT to coordinate Australian inputs in selected subnational contexts
• Output three: Technical assistance targeted at key institutions and policy reforms
• Output four: Rapid programming of resources in support of DFAT priorities
• Output five and six: Analysis, learning, and adaptation

Managed by Abt Associates under a single contract from 2022 to 2026, the centralised approach is aimed to ensure and drive value for money by realising back office efficiencies, ensure gender is consistently at the forefront of each program and deliver opportunities for learning and adaptation between programs.

About the Opportunity

A vacancy for Executive Director has become available on the Australia PNG Subnational (APSP) Program. The role will require the successful candidate to:

• Demonstrating a visible and systematic commitment to achieving gender equality at Abt and for achieving against agreed gender equality performance objectives.
• They will lead APSP in all aspects of the development, implementation and management of component partnerships in accordance with Abt Associates standards, code of conduct and organisational policies.
• The role will have strategic oversight of APSP component partnership implementation activities to ensure delivery of services and milestones in accordance with the APSP Head Contract with DFAT.

Key responsibilities

Partnership Management

• Lead the strategic direction and operational management of all APSP component program partnerships, ensuring they remain positioned to achieve their goals and end of program outcomes;
• Support the development and strengthening of Strategic Partnerships in accordance with Abt Associates policy and standards and to strengthen APSP effectiveness;
• Direct, plan and coordinate the work of BP, KIP, WP, and SGIP Team Leaders including supervision and evaluation, training and team building;
• Lead Team Meetings with Team Leaders, Program Managers and other key Staff to maintain effective communication;
• Monitor and develop performance to ensure adequate and qualified staff carries out Program Activities;
• With the support of Team Leaders and relevant senior management team members, manage the selection, procurement and delivery of other forms of technical assistance and non-advisory technical assistance as required;
• Manage and evaluate all activities related to the APSP Program;

Planning and Policy

• Support strategic and operational planning, and the development of Program policies, in consultation with Senior Management, Senior Advisers, and the M&E and Knowledge Management teams;
• Ensure APSP Team Leaders are updating key planning documents in accordance with the priorities of the respective partnerships;
• Remain up-to-date on all policy and procedural changes that may affect implementation and ensure compliance in a timely and organised manner;

Senior Team Management

• Provide leadership, coaching and mentoring to Team Leaders to foster a cohesive, shared and unified approach to program implementation with strategic partners, counterparts and implementing partners;
• Support the Program’s functional management team (Human Resources, Finance, Operations, to ensure effective services which align with the Partnership’s goals and outcomes;
• In consultation with HR and APSP senior management, provide oversight responsibility for the selection, hiring, coaching, and performance management of employees;

Operations Compliance

• Ensure APSP Team Leaders undertake their personnel compliance with data management and use of data management software;
• Oversight and quality assure the production of monthly, quarterly and annual program reporting as required.

Grants & Financial Management

• Oversee management of the APSP budget and expenditure and ensure timely and effective reporting to DFAT and other stakeholders as required.
• Responsible for the implementation, management, supervision and evaluation of all activities related to the Grant-making Activities in all Programs;
• Ensure programs have ability and resources to identify and form appropriate partnerships to support delivery of approved grants.

Risk Management and Security

• Responsible for compliance with and strengthening of approved Program governance structures, including component programs such as BP, KIP, WP and SGIP;
• Oversee partnerships implementation and compliance of approved risk and security management plans. Ensure their compliance with Abt program risk strategies/plans and security strategies/plans.
• Oversee APSP annual risk and security planning; support partnerships in their reviews of risk and security plans quarterly and their undertaking of ad-hoc risk and security assessments as required.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Write analytical and progress reports on strategies, activities, risks and issues for various stakeholders, including, Steering Committees, Australian Government and Government of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville.
• Responsible for the implementation, management, supervision and evaluation of all activities of APSP in accordance with Abt Associates Standards and quality expectations;
• Apply lessons learnt and knowledge management principles to improving service quality and program efficiency, effectiveness and value-for-money;

Gender Equity, Disability and Social Inclusion Mainstreaming

• Gender Mainstreaming: Ensure APSP delivery strategies address issues of women’s leadership, economic and physical security through mainstreaming inclusion principles and strategies across all work plans.
• Support Team Leaders in their pursuit of continuous Improvement to promote greater gender equity and social inclusion and ensure evidence translated into changes in implementation.
• Demonstrate leadership support for the implementation of key diversity and inclusion policies, including:
  • Gender Equality Policy
  • Respect at Work Policy
  • Flexible Work Policy
  • Paid Parental Leave Policy
  • Compensation Policy
  • Leave Policy
• Any other relevant outputs as defined by the Contractor Representative.

Gender Equality Performance Objectives

• Provide leadership for a work environment that promotes inclusion, mutual respect, integrity, dignity, and non-discrimination always.
• Proactively manage the diverse gender composition of work team/s under your leadership and take reasonable steps to address gaps in diversity and gender representation across all job levels.
• Actively support annual gender pay gap (and other diversity pay gap) activities, including determining action plans to address gap areas and managing the communication and feedback of results and next steps for work team/s under your leadership.
• Promote Abt’s commitment to “equal pay for equivalent work” in work team/s under your leadership for employees of all genders and all diverse backgrounds, and support equity adjustment activities as required.
• Ensure equal access to career opportunities in work team/s under your leadership for employees of all genders and all diverse backgrounds, including during recruitment and selection, and promotion activities.
• Ensure equal access to leadership, development, training, and mentoring opportunities in work team/s under your leadership for employees of all genders and all diverse backgrounds.
• Actively promote Abt’s key diversity and inclusion policies, including flexible work and parental leave, across your relevant work teams and encourage uptake by all employees.
• Participate as an active member of at least one of Abt’s Diversity & Inclusion Working Groups.

Key deliverables

Position Specific Deliverables:

• Strengthen the partnership between Abt Associates and its subcontract agreement with Ninti One, ensuring governance, ways of working and engagement mechanisms are established.
• Lead the SGIP, including the roles of the Subnational Advisers (SNA) in support of Government of Australia missions, support to sector investments and other in-Province Australian coordination requirements.
• Maintain ways of working, reporting and communication protocols with DFAT, the SNA Team, and the SGIP Deputy Team Leader.
• Represent APSP in its Reflection and Learning and Planning Workshops.
• Co-chair the SPGG Governance Group Meetings and Operations Group Meetings.

Executive Leadership Team Deliverables:

• High level of responsiveness to AHC issues and requests measured by Program receiving a Partner Performance Rating of 5 or above

Position Specific Deliverables:

• Strengthen the partnership between Abt Associates and its subcontract agreement with Ninti One, ensuring governance, ways of working and engagement mechanisms are established.
• Lead the SGIP, including the roles of the Subnational Advisers (SNA) in support of Government of Australia missions, support to sector investments and other in-Province Australian coordination requirements.
• Maintain ways of working, reporting and communication protocols with DFAT, the SNA Team, and the SGIP Deputy Team Leader.
• Represent APSP in its Reflection and Learning and Planning Workshops.
• Co-chair the SPGG Governance Group Meetings and Operations Group Meetings.

Executive Leadership Team Deliverables:

• High level of responsiveness to AHC issues and requests measured by Program receiving a Partner Performance Rating of 5 or above
• Quality reporting, milestones, deliverables and KPIs are submitted on time and meet internal (Abt) and external (AHC) requirements measured by receiving a Partner Performance Rating of 5 or above
• APSP KPIs relating to program delivery, GESI and Knowledge and Learning are met and approved by AHC.
• Program is delivered on time and within budget and value for money principles drive all Program resourcing decisions measured by receiving a Partner Performance Rating of 5 or above.
• Build and maintain open, productive and outcome-oriented relationships with key internal and external stakeholders including AHC and GoPNG. This will be measured through the Program receiving a Partner Performance Rating of 5 or above
• Create and maintain an enabling environment (in terms of strategy, management, operations, partner/client buy in) for:

• Adaptive and politically informed program delivery. This will be measured by the breadth and quality of adaptation towards EOIOs across the program - as captured in the MERL/PAF
• GESI transformative program delivery. This will be measured by the breadth and quality of adaptation towards GESI EOIOs across the program - as captured in the MERL/PAF

• Ensure APSP delivery address issues of women’s leadership, disability inclusion and security through integrating GESI principles and objectives across all activities and as defined in annual workplans.
• All corporate risk and fraud issues are proactively identified, reported, and managed following corporate and DFAT policies and procedures measured by Program receiving a Partner Performance Rating of 5 or above.
• Innovative approaches to the delivery of aid are actively pursed and incorporated into the delivery and design of the Program measured by a Partner Performance Rating of 5 or above.

Key working relationships

• APSP Team Leaders
• APSP Contractor Representative
• Corporate Services Team
• Ninti One
• Australian High Commission representatives
• GoPNG & ABG counterparts
• Key stakeholders
• Provincial Administrations

About You

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

• Outstanding team leadership skills and demonstrated experience implementing large value donor programs within an emerging environment
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive relationships with a range of stakeholders in a complex operating environment
• Excellent understanding and commitment to DFAT aid policy priorities and performance environment
• Exceptional analytical, written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate with a variety of audiences and lead the production of high-level reports.
• Demonstrated strategic planning, management and delivery skills
• Strong cultural and contextual awareness and understanding, preferably in PNG or a similar operating environment.

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.

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