JOB DESCRIPTION

About the Program

The Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership for Governance commenced in January 2022 and is an AUD $35.8 million dollar investment where Australia partners with the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) to support its critical priorities over four years. The goal is to build economic resilience and promote policies and practices for sustainable economic recovery and growth. Australia’s objective for this program is to strengthen accountable and inclusive governance in partnership with SIG other stakeholders. The program will contribute to the goal through four end-of-program outcomes.

EOPO1: SIG has strengthened public financial management and oversight.

EOPO2: SIG has improved domestic revenue generation and improved capability in targeted areas.

EOPO3: SIG has strengthened inclusive democratic processes and expanded opportunities for stakeholder engagement in public policy dialogue.

EOPO4: The program generates strengthened relationships between SIG and the Government of Australia.

About the Opportunity

The position will support objectives outlined in the Australia–Solomon Islands Development Partnership Plan 2024–2029, which outlines shared priorities such as inclusive economic growth. It will also ensure consistency with DFAT’s broader development frameworks, including the International Development Policy, Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs), and DFAT’s policies on GEDSI, Child Protection, and Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH).

• Long-term contract starts January 2026.
• Location of work: Honiara, Solomon Islands

For Solomon Islands nationals only.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

• The primary goal of the position is to ensure that all no-objection letters meet DFAT regulatory standards and stakeholder expectations, facilitating timely project approvals and implementation.
• Review the current NOL policy, focusing on the effectiveness of current processes and issued NOLs.
• Suggest and implement approved updates to the NOL policy and procedures including to ex-ante and ex-post review instruments and application thresholds.
• Establish a sustainable process for ex-Post spot checking for purchases made using DFAT budget support portfolio which fall under the NOL threshold.
• Review current templates and processes for issuing NOLs with the aim of establishing a more efficient system to support timely decision Lead the development of an overarching Economic Governance Strategy for the Governance Partnership in collaboration with SIG, DFAT and other program stakeholders.
• Identify and co-design targeted activities to deliver that strategy, including through developing high quality concept notes, business cases and budgets and supporting recruitments and procurements.
• Engage with stakeholders to understand priorities and inform about activity development.
• Monitor activity implementation, deliverables and expenditure to ensure quality and timeliness.
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, research, learning, and adaptation (MERLA) processes including through providing high quality written analysis on economic governance activities, achievements and opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with DFAT and Abt policies including GEDSI, child protection, PSEAH and risk management.
• Contribute to program-wide reports and deliverables, including progress reports, annual workplans and budgets.

Key Deliverables

• Development of an overarching Economic Governance Strategy in partnership with Australian High Commission stakeholders.
• Development of a strategic pipeline of economic governance activities, designed to support the achievement of EOPOs.
• Development of quality concept notes and costed business cases for proposed activities.
• Effective oversight of activity implementation, ensuring delivery within scope and budget.
• Regular and ad-hoc reporting on activity status, risks, and budget performance.
• Support to counterparts on compliance with DFAT’s cross-cutting policies and frameworks.

About You

Essential criteria

• Qualifications in economics/public financial management, public policy, international development, or a related field.
• Experience generating and prioritizing economic reform efforts and associated packages of support.
• Demonstrated experience writing and developing quality concept notes, business cases and activity budgets.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, analysis, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated experience conducting applied economic analysis and drafting reports.
• Demonstrated experience writing outward facing media releases (experience with social media posts desirable).
• Proven ability to work effectively with government counterparts and in cross-cultural environments.
• Experience working in multicultural and development contexts, preferably in the Pacific region.
• A commitment to promoting Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion through work practices.

Desirable criteria

• 5 years of experience in a similar role in the international development sector (DFAT funded programs preferable).
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple activities (subcontracts, grants, procurements) and priorities simultaneously to a high standard.
• Knowledge of Solomon Islands pidgin.
• Experience working in the Solomon Islands context.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people with sexual diversity or disability, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single requirement for a position. At Abt Associates we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every role requirement, we encourage you to apply in any case. You may be just the right candidate for this or for other roles.

How to Apply

Please apply online via our Abt Careers website

Please attach a cover letter and a detailed CV as a single document, addressing how you meet the requirements of this role.

Closing Date: 11.59pm 19 October 2025

About Us

Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader with a proven track record in complex program implementation in the international development sector. We offer bold solutions and technical excellence in Health, Economic Growth, Governance, Research & Evaluation, Environment & Energy, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion. Working with our many partners, we have driven measurable social impact for more than 55 years, to achieve our mission of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people worldwide. We operate in remote and challenging environments and employ more than 3,700 staff in over 50 countries. For more information about us and what we do, visit our website at www.abtglobal.com

Equity

Abt Associates values individuality and celebrates difference with a strong commitment to diversity, equality, racial equity, gender, and disability inclusion. We strongly encourage people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply for this position. We offer flexible work arrangements and a culturally safe environment for staff members from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Safeguarding

We are deeply committed to safeguarding, to protect and prevent harm and abuse to individuals we work for and who work for us. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, child abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation in any form, and expect everyone to be treated with respect and dignity.

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