The Australia PNG Subnational Program (APSP) is seeking a highly qualified Director, Bougainville Partnership. This role is based in Autonomous Region of Bougainville with regional travel as required and is open to all applicants.

Program Title: Australia Papua New Guinea Subnational Program (APSP)

Position Title: Director, Bougainville Partnership

Position Type: Long Term - commencing ASAP to Feb 2026, with possible extension

Level: 7

Reporting To: Executive Director, APSP

Location: Autonomous Region of Bougainville (regional travel as required)

Program Overview:

A stable, prosperous, peaceful and resilient PNG is critical to Australia and New Zealand’s interests. Australia is PNG's largest development partner; its main partner on economic and security issues outlined in Australia’s Comprehensive Strategic Economic Partnership with PNG (CSEP) and Development Partnership Plan with PNG 2024-2029.

The Australia PNG Subnational Program (APSP) is an enabling mechanism comprised of four separately designed programs including; Bougainville Partnership (BP), Kokoda Initiative Partnership (KIP), the Western Province Partnership (WP) and the Subnational Governance Implementation Program (SGIP). 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, and Western Province and SGIP
• 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

Contracted from 2022 to 2026, the APSPs 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.

The APSP’s end of program outcomes include

1. i) Efficient and effective programs delivered in selected provinces that achieve planned end of program outcomes and
2. ii) Australia recognised as a well-informed and constructive partner for investment and policy dialogue at subnational level

The APSP component programs are connected in methodology via place-based approaches and locally led development. For Australia the emergence of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Bougainville is a key national interest; supporting the Government of PNG (GoPNG) and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) 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. 2025 is an important year in Bougainville with general elections scheduled and appointment of an Independent Moderator (supported by the UN) to assist the post-referendum intergovernmental dialogue between the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville.

The Bougainville Partnership is part of the Australia-PNG Subnational Strategic Framework. The goal of the Subnational Strategic Framework, of which the BP is a part, is the implementation of the commitment in the 2020 Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP) between Australia and PNG:

PNG and Australia strengthen cooperation on PNG’s priority regions and economic corridors to drive growth, enhance stability and improve service delivery.

As an activity within the subnational portfolio the BP contributes to this goal. It also contributes to the Bougainville Vision 2052, President Toroama’s Six Point Plan and the Bougainville Integrated Strategic Development Plan 2023 – 2027.

The BP’s goal is to contribute to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Bougainville. To achieve this the Partnership aims to deliver the following desired end of program outcomes;

1. Capable GoPNG and ABG institutions able to carry out high priority tasks that support Bougainville’s development and post-Referendum dialogue.
2. Economic development where the ABG and business associations jointly plan and implement initiatives to improve the private sector environment for inclusive economic development, and women and men are engaged in primary production which has increased benefits from inclusive associations and cooperatives.
3. Stronger communities where communities, women and youth collaborate effectively to establish sustainable community assets, deliver services and advocate for their target groups.
4. Women increasingly participating in decision making and taking leadership roles in civic, economic, and political spaces.

Position Overview:

The Director, Bougainville Partnership will have responsibility for:

• Operating in a senior leadership role in supporting the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), the Executive Director, leading BP Advisers and team in the implementation, management and coordination of the Partnership in consultation with the program’s primary counterparts.
• Demonstrated ability to work in an adaptive manner, with the strategic ability to pivot program approaches in line with the political economy in consultation with, and at the direction of, the Australian High Commission (AHC) and New Zealand High Commission (NZHC).
• Assist DFAT and MFAT to build, manage, and leverage a network of relationships and stakeholders that are central to the Bougainville Partnership.
• Demonstrate a visible and systematic commitment to achieving gender equality through the APSP and for achieving against agreed gender equality performance objectives.

Specific Responsibilities:

Partnership Management

• In collaboration with the Executive Director, APSP, lead the strategic direction and sound management of the BP, ensuring the Partnership remains positioned to achieve its goals and outcomes under the three Pillars:
• Pillar 1 - Capable Institutions:

o Maintain implementation momentum

o Alignment of BP programming with draw down and transfer of powers

o Advisory support to develop capability of identified ABG Departments

o Advisory support to Intergovernmental dialogue between the ABG and the GoPNG

o Support to the free, fair and transparent delivery of the 2025 ABG elections

• Pillar 2 - Economic Development:

o Assure BP alignment with ABG Economic Policy imperatives

o Ongoing support to operationalise economic legislation

o Commodity Support Facility Grants and the CARE BECOMES program

o Bougainville Business Association Strengthening Project

o Labour Mobility Program

o Numa Numa Trail Development Program

o Bougainville Chocolate Festival

• Pillar 3 - Stronger Communities:

o Bougainville Community Grants Scheme

o Strongim Social Capital Grants to key civil society organisations

o Community Government Institutional Strengthening Program

o Infrastructure Projects – Water Security, Sanitation, Police Infrastructure, Community and Government Infrastructure.

• Facilitate Partnership delivery in a way which responds to the priorities of the ABG, Australia, and New Zealand; leverages resources and activities; is responsive to stakeholder needs and ensures effective allocation of BP resources.
• Engage in dialogue on Partnership related matters with ABG, GoPNG, AHC, NZHC, and sector stakeholders.
• Ensure timely, high quality, responsive, flexible, and within budget delivery of the Annual Work Plan (AWP) as approved by the Bougainville Partnership Steering Committee.
• Provide operational advice to the Executive Director on emerging issues as they arise, including advising on possible ways to address issues and mitigate risks and take an active role in their resolution.
• Oversee Finance & Operations Lead who will ensure a functioning operating platform for delivery of services including finance, human resources, travel, procurement, logistics, security and transportation across all three Pillars of BP Program activities and implementation throughout Bougainville.

Planning and Policy

• Drive BP annual planning including; review annual plans, bi-annual plans and undertake ad-hoc planning as required through the Executive Director.
• Lead the development of Concept Notes/Business Case Proposals with other Advisers for new projects for submission to the Executive Director and relevant Technical Working Groups and Committees.
• Support the development of appropriate Partnership policies as required for submission to the Executive Director and oversee the implementation of those approved policies and operational procedures.

Team management

• Plan, direct and coordinate the work of BP staff including supervision and evaluation, training and team building.
• Monitor and mentor the continued improvements in performance to ensure adequate and qualified staff carry out BP activities.
• Manage the selection, procurement and delivery of other forms of non-advisory technical assistance as required.
• Provide leadership, coaching and mentoring to BP staff to foster a cohesive, shared and unified approach to program implementation with strategic partners, counterparts and implementing partners.

Operations Compliance

• Ensure key Partnership planning documents are up-to-date and in accordance with the priorities of the Partnership, as agreed with the Executive Director.
• Ensure compliance with the APSP operations manual, APSP financial controls manual (incl. for grants coordination, management and administration), and grants management procedures.

Financial Management and Grants Management

• Ensure that general financial documents and controls are up-to-date and in accordance with the priorities of the Partnership, as agreed with the Executive Director.
• Ensure that financial procedures and controls for the implementation of approved projects and grants are established, managed and administered in accordance with APSP standards of transparency, accountability and fiduciary risk.
• Oversee regular fiduciary risk reviews of approved projects to ensure accountable standards of management and administration.

Risk Management and Security

• Facilitate Partnership annual risk and security planning; review risk and security plans quarterly and undertake ad-hoc risk and security assessments as required.
• Facilitate the development of Risk Assessment and Security Plans in accordance with APSP policy with an emphasis on security of personnel and property/assets; regional remote travel; ocean/estuary travel; sensitive localities; and the political economy.
• Oversee implementation and compliance of approved risk and security management plans in consultation with the Executive Director, Team Leaders and Senior Advisers. Ensure compliance with APSP program risk strategies/plans and security strategies/plans.
• Ensure all programmatic and corporate risk and fraud issues are proactively identified, reported, and managed following corporate and DFAT policies and procedures.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Support the updating of the BP design and impacts on logical framework as required, inclusive of identification of relevant performance indicators and means of verification to enable output, outcome and impact reporting.
• Facilitate regular monitoring, evaluation and reporting of relevant Program activities.
• Facilitate the production of analytical and progress reports on BP strategies, activities, risks and issues for various stakeholders, including, the Executive Director, DFAT, MFAT and Formal Committees.
• Facilitate ongoing performance information and data collection to update and maintain relevant BP baseline files and contribute to biannual and annual reports as required.

Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion Mainstreaming

• Demonstrate leadership support for the implementation of key diversity and inclusion policies, including:

o Gender Equality Policy

o Respect at Work Policy

o Flexible Work Policy

o Paid Parental Leave Policy

o Compensation Policy

o Leave Policy

• Gender Mainstreaming: Ensure the BP delivery strategies address issues of women’s leadership, economic and physical security through mainstreaming inclusion principles and strategies across all work plans.
• Continuous Improvement: Monitor evidence of what works to promote greater gender equity, disability, and social inclusion and ensure evidence is translated into changes in implementation.

Position Specific Deliverables:

• Lead on BP oversight mechanisms: Update terms of reference and membership for BP Steering Committee and Technical Working Groups (TWG) for Pillars 1,2 and 3, establish frameworks for out-of-session inception approval, informal updates.
• Support the BP Steering Committee in collaboration with the Executive Director and key stakeholders.
• Lead the BP Pillar 1 Technical Working Group.
• Finalise the Concept Note for the Draw Down of Powers Unit (DDPU) and if approved lead on operationalisation and oversight for the DDPU.
• BP TWGs: Induct members in roles and responsibilities, hold first meetings, schedule subsequent meetings.
• BP Planning Workshop: Strategy finalisation and development of FY25/26 AWP
• Annual Workplan: Finalisation of FY25/26 AWP for approval by SPGG and BP SC.
• Finalise the 6-month Output Report (January-June 2025), the Annual Report January-December 2025 and/or the Completion report April 2022 – December 2025.
• Finalise handover plan of all transitioning activities, contracts, personnel

Executive Leadership Team Deliverables:

• Quality reporting, milestones, deliverables and KPIs are submitted on time and meet internal (APSP) and external (AHC) requirements measured by receiving a Partner Performance Rating of 5 or above
• 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 ABG, GoPNG, AHC and NZHC. 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:

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

o GEDSI transformative program delivery. This will be measured by the breadth and quality of adaptation towards GEDSI EOPOs across the program - as captured in the MERL/PAF

• Ensure APSP delivery address issues of women’s leadership, disability inclusion and security through integrating GEDSI 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 pursued and incorporated into the delivery and design of the Program measured by a Partner Performance Rating of 5 or above.

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 APSP’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 APSP’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 APSP’s Diversity & Inclusion Working Groups.

Key Working Relationships:

• APSP Executive Director and Senior Management team
• APSP Contractor Representative
• Corporate Services Team
• Australian High Commission representatives
• New Zealand High Commission representatives
• GoPNG & ABG representatives
• BP Steering Committee
• Ninti One

Selection Criteria:

• Advanced Degree qualification in international relations, public policy, human rights, development studies, management or a related field (preferable).
• Strong background and demonstrated capacity to oversee all administrative, operational and programmatic aspects of a high-profile aid investment within a complex, sensitive and evolving political economy.
• Awareness and understanding of the Bougainville history and context within PNG, Melanesia and the Pacific, would be beneficial.
• Demonstrated awareness and understanding of sub-national governance in PNG and Melanesia and place-based programming and locally led development methodologies to improve service delivery, would be beneficial.
• Outstanding intercultural team leadership skills demonstrated on large donor programs within an evolving political economy.
• Excellent political economy analytical skills that are regularly applied to ensure the Program’s sustained delivery against approved investment designs, strategies and workplans.
• Ability to understand local contexts and provide advice to donors on adaptive programming to ensure investments remain aligned with partner’s priorities.
• Excellent representational skills that ensure key relationships are well maintained with donor partners, senior government officials (national and sub-national), implementing partners and civil society.
• Strong negotiation skills that are applied across various contexts to ensure program continuity and program growth.

For full details of the position and to apply, please click here to apply: https://egpy.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/JoinAbt/job/106117/?utm_medium=jobshare&utm_source=External+Job+Share

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

Closing Date: 31 January 2025 (5:55PM AEST)

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

Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.