Communications Manager | APSP at Abt Global

Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

06 May, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

05 Feb, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Communications Strategy, Content Writing, Creative Storytelling, Team Management, Strategic Thinking, Analytical Skills, Digital Communications, Mentoring, Public Diplomacy, Data Visualization, Stakeholder Engagement, Adaptation, Learning, Gender-Centered Programs, Policy Reforms, Monitoring and Evaluation

Industry

Business Consulting and Services

Description

Commencement: March 2026 Long term role, based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Open to all applicants 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, Kokoda Initiative Partnership and South Fly Resilience Plan and Western Province Partnership. 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 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 This position will be a member of the APSP Senior Management Team. The role will be responsible for the internal and external communications, including communications activities and outputs, and strategic communications, across the entire APSP portfolio. The Communications Manager will ensure communications outputs are compliant with DFAT and Abt Associates policies and deliver on agreed objectives as set out in APSP communications strategy. Specific Responsibilities The Communications Manager will be responsible for the following: Manage the APSP Manage the APSP communications team, including communications specialists and locally engaged communications officers. Be active and play a leadership role in the Abt Communications Community of Practice and component programs to promote learning, consistency, and peer support Provide high quality strategic communications advisory services to the APSP Senior Management Team. Provide high quality strategic communications advisory services to APSP Component Programs. Update the APSP Communication Strategy and Action Plan (including external and internal communications), for Phase II of APSP. Update the Component Program Communications Strategies (BP; KIP; WP; SGIP), for Phase II of APSP. Ensure alignment with APSP Communication Strategy. Implement the APSP and Component Program communications strategies, refreshing the strategies at required intervals, to reflect changing circumstances and priorities. Ensure APSP’s communications strategies are addressing the key policy priorities as set out on the APSP Performance Assessment framework (Gender; Disability; Climate Change; Subnational Governance). Produce public diplomacy communications materials to support the APSP and its component programs. Work with APSP MERLA Team and Program Component Comms Teams to develop and produce digital content for APSP dashboards. Work with APSP MERLA Teams to develop case studies and stories of change. Work in partnership with grantees to develop public diplomacy communications materials for publication through diverse platforms and channels. Work with Abt Global Communications Team to develop and produce APSP content for Abt Global platforms. Work with graphic designers and external vendors to capture and produce high quality videos, photography, printed pieces, and branded products. Promote the work of APSP to stakeholders and general audiences through development of high-quality impact stories. Promote APSP public diplomacy pieces internally to APSP and Abt Global colleagues. Attend AHC pitching sessions, and lead on pitching of public diplomacy pieces for AHC consideration. Attend AHC events on behalf of APSP, promoting the work of APSP to external stakeholders. Ensure all APSP communications outputs are of the highest possible quality. Other duties as directed by the APSP Executive Director and Performance, Learning, and Communications Lead Specific Deliverables Lead the update of the APSP Communication Strategy and Action Plans (including external and internal communications) for Phase II of APSP. Lead the update of Component Program Communications Strategies and Plans (BP; KIP; WP; SGIP), for Phase II of APSP, ensuring alignment with the APSP Comms Strategy. Establish and implement communications protocols across the APSP and within component programs as agreed with Abt and DFAT. Develop communications capacity development plans for APSP component program communications teams, including regular forums for sharing good practice, tools, and lessons learned. Proactively engage with the MERLA Lead to consider opportunities for PD stories to be expanded upon and utilised as case studies and stories of impact/change for outcome reporting. Manage communications data for reporting purposes. Maintain a high level of responsiveness to AHC issues and requests and attend AHC communications meetings and workshops. Build and maintain open, productive, and outcome-oriented relationships with key internal and external stakeholders including AHC and GoPNG Key working relationships Performance, Learning, and Communications Lead APSP Executive Director APSP Senior Management Team APSP and Component Program Communications Coordinators APSP MERLA Manager APSP MERLA Specialists Relevant AHC representatives About You For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided. Demonstrated experience (10+ years desirable) in managing and delivering communications strategies and activities for large, complex programs. Experience in international development would be an asset. Experienced in creative storytelling, content writing and managing both external and internal communications and activities, maintaining tone of voice consistency across all communications. Demonstrated experience managing, leading and mentoring a diverse national team and commitment to the principles of inclusion, localisation and equity. Demonstrated strategic thinker with strong analytical, reporting and research skills undertaken in a complex, rapidly changing, high-energy environment – such as PNG or a comparable experience. Experience creating data visualisations Strong digital communications skills 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: 18 February 2026 (Midday, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT 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

Responsibilities

The Communications Manager will oversee internal and external communications for the APSP portfolio, ensuring compliance with DFAT and Abt Associates policies. They will manage the communications team and provide strategic advisory services to the Senior Management Team and Component Programs.