Team Leader, Economic Development | BP-APSP at Abt Global

, , Papua New Guinea -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

09 Mar, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

09 Dec, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Yes

Skills

Economic Development, Grants Management, Monitoring & Evaluation, Team Management, Risk Management, Financial Management, Policy Development, Stakeholder Engagement, Capacity Building, Negotiation Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Agricultural Value Chains, Gender Equality, Social Inclusion, Public Diplomacy

Industry

Business Consulting and Services

Description

Commencement: February or March 2026 Duration: From February 2026 to February 2030 Based in Buka, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, PNG Open to PNG national and international candidates About the Program For Australia and New Zealand, the emergence of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Bougainville is a key national interest; supporting the Government of PNG and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) to implement the Bougainville Peace Agreement is an explicit commitment in the Australia government 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 Bougainville Partnership (BP) took on its current form in 2016, inheriting activities from a number of separately administered initiatives. The structure of the program remains similar to the BP’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, and Post-Referendum Dialogue. 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. 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 helps the interest of women, youth and people living with disabilities to actively take part 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. The BP is part of the Australia PNG Subnational Program (APSP), which is an enabling mechanism comprised of three separately designed programs including: BP, the Western Province Partnership (WPP), the Kokoda Initiative Partnership (KIP), and the Subnational Governance Implementation Plan (SGIP). Each program has its own outcomes, theory of change, operational approach and separate monitoring and evaluation systems. Position Overview The Team Leader, Economic Development will have responsibility for Pillar 2 End of Program Outcomes including: Operating in a senior leadership role in supporting the Director, Bougainville Partnership, Advisers and teams to provide technical assistance and advisory support to Bougainville’s key Economic Development stakeholders as per the design for Bougainville Partnership. Building the capacity of key ABG and partner stakeholders to carry out identified economic development objectives as agreed through the Economic Sector Working Group and the Pillar 2 Technical Working Group. Technical Support to the operationalisation of the ABG’s Economic Sector Development Plan. Oversight of long and short-term advisory support to the ABG’s Department of Commerce Trade, Industry and Economic Development (DCTIED) and Department of Primary Industries (DPI). Experienced in agricultural value chains and provide management oversight for the Commodity Support Facility and lead on grants design and programming to Cocoa Cooperatives and Farmer Groups. Lead on program implementation of strategic support to the development of the Bougainville Business Associations. Management oversight for the Bougainville Labour Mobility program in close consultation with the ABG, DFAT and the Labour Mobility Unit. Demonstrating a visible and systematic commitment to achieving agreed GEDSI outcomes and for achieving against agreed gender equality performance objectives. The Team Leader will report to the Director (BP). Key Responsibilities Specific responsibilities for the Team Leader include: Partnership Management Work collaboratively with the Director (BP) to deliver the key objectives and strategies of the BP’s Pillar 2 design: Contribute to the design and review of BP’s Pillar 2 (Economic Development) Lead the strategic direction and sound management of the Pillar 2 team and collaborate with relevant external stakeholders to ensure a participatory approach to delivery of Pillar 2 activities. Maintain and improve program systems to ensure the sound delivery, management, and administration of personnel and activities. Maintain program management oversight of all Pillar 2 approved activities. As relevant, engage in dialogue on program related matters with ABG, GoPNG, Australian High Commission, sector stakeholders and other partners. Provide operational advice to the 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. Planning and Policy Support the development of appropriate Pillar 2 policies as required for submission to the Director and manage implementation of those approved policies and operational procedures. Support the development and implementation of appropriate program policies, plans and special projects that contributes to Bougainville Partnership Outcomes. Team Management Plan, direct and coordinate the work of Pillar 2 staff including supervision and evaluation, training and team building. Monitor and mentor the continued improvements in performance to ensure adequate and qualified staff carries out program activities. Manage the selection, procurement and delivery of other forms of non-advisory technical assistance as required. Provide leadership, coaching and mentoring to staff to foster a cohesive, shared and unified approach to program implementation with strategic partners, counterparts and implementing partners. Operations Compliance Ensure key Pillar 2 planning documents are up-to-date and in accordance with the priorities of the Partnership, as agreed with the Director. Ensure compliance with the Abt operations manual, Abt financial controls manual (including for grants coordination, management and administration), CDD Manual, grants procedures. Financial Management and Grants Management Collaborate with the Finance and Operations Lead to ensure: Pillar 2 financial documents and controls are up-to-date and in accordance with the priorities of the Partnership and as agreed with the Director. Financial procedures and controls for the implementation of approved Pillar 2 activities and grants are established, managed and administered in accordance with Abt standards of transparency, accountability and fiduciary risk. Regular fiduciary risk reviews of approved projects to ensure accountable standards of management and administration. Risk Management and Security Collaborate with the Operations Lead and Security Manager to facilitate: Pillar 2 annual risk and security planning; review risk and security plans quarterly and undertake ad-hoc risk and security assessments as required. the development of Risk Assessment and Security Plans in accordance with Abt policy with an emphasis on security of personnel and property/assets; regional remote travel; ocean/estuary travel; sensitive localities; and the political economy. Manage implementation and compliance of approved risk and security management plans, ensuring compliance with Abt program risk strategies/plans and security strategies/plans. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting In collaboration with BP’s MERL Adviser facilitate: Regular monitoring, evaluation and reporting of Pillar 2 activities. The production of analytical and progress reports on Pillar 2 strategies, activities, risks and issues for various stakeholders, including, the Director, DFAT and Technical Working Groups. On-going performance information and data collection to update and maintain relevant Pillar 2 baseline files and contribute to program reports as required. Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion Collaborate with the APSP’s GEDSI Lead and the BP’s GEDSI Manager and GESDI Coordinator to ensure the integration of BP’s GEDSI Strategy into Pillar 2 modalities and activities 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 Continuous Improvement: Monitor evidence of what works to promote greater gender equity and social inclusion and ensure evidence is translated into changes in implementation. Specific Deliverables Position Specific Deliverables: Timely delivery of high quality, responsive, flexible and within-budget programming for Pillar 2 workstreams as approved by the Director and the Pillar 2 Technical Working Group. Management of key relationships with DFAT, MFAT, the ABG and appropriate departments in the delivery of Pillar 2 activities. Management and implementation of agreed Pillar 2 activities in accordance with the approved BP Annual Work Plan. Development of media and communications content for publication in relation to Pillar 2 activities aligned with the BP Communications Strategy. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting of Pillar 2 activities in alignment with the BP Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Framework. All Pillar 2 risk and fraud issues are proactively identified, reported, and managed following corporate and DFAT policies and procedures Developing and reporting against the Operations Manual Effective management of the Pillar 2 team and stakeholder relationships Effective management of other approved BP activities as relevant and as requested by the Director of the Bougainville Partnership and Executive Director of the APSP. Key working relationships ABG & GoPNG Secretary, Department of Primary Industries Secretary, Department of Commerce, Trade and Industry Senior Staff, Bougainville Tax Office (BTO) PNG Cocoa Board; Kokonas Industri Korporesen Cocoa industry stakeholders GoPNG departments and agencies (as required) Bougainville Partnership Director, BP CSF Manager & Pillar 2 Officers Long- and short-term Advisers to: DPI and DCTIED Team Leader, Governance & Institutions (Pillar 1) Team Leader, Stronger Communities (Pillar 3) Finance & Operations Lead Infrastructure & Facilities Lead MERLA Adviser and MERLA Officers GEDSI Manager and GESDI Coordinator Long- and short-term Advisers to: DoTF, BTO, DPMAS, DJLS, NCOBA Primary External Relationships: Australian High Commission (Port Moresby) New Zealand High Commission (Port Moresby) Ninti One About You Qualifications Tertiary qualifications in international development, economics, agriculture, private or public administration or a related field or equivalent experience Knowledge Demonstrated understanding of sub-national economic development in PNG or regional Melanesia Knowledge of strategic planning, functional analysis, organisational design, organisational governance, capacity building and change management. An understanding of the monitoring, evaluation and reporting, and public diplomacy requirements of Australian/Papua New Guinea Government or donor programs. An understanding of agricultural value chains (desirable) Skills/Experience At least 5-10 years of economic or international development experience preferably in PNG or regional Melanesia Demonstrated experience in grants management in the international development context. Ability to understand local contexts and provide advice to donors on adaptive programming to ensure investments remain aligned with partner’s priorities. Strong negotiation skills that are applied across various contexts to ensure program continuity and program growth. Excellent representational skills that ensure key relationships are well maintained with senior government officials (national and sub-national), donor partners, implementing partners and civil society. Experience in monitoring & evaluation of complex government or international development programs with multiple contributing workstreams and providing high-level written reports to management and donors. Demonstrated skills and experience in advancing gender equality and inclusion approaches across workstreams. Exceptional interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to lead and build effective teams, especially in a remote, cross-cultural context. Personal Attributes Delivers Results Builds Internal and External Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty. Develops People Communicates Sets Vision and Direction Demonstrates Sound Financial and Business-Related Practices Builds Teams and Cooperation Promotes Technical Excellence and Quality 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 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: Friday, 23 January 2026, 12PM (Mid-day, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT 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.

Responsibilities

The Team Leader will oversee the implementation of economic development initiatives and provide technical assistance to key stakeholders in Bougainville. They will also manage the Pillar 2 team and ensure compliance with program policies and financial controls.