JOB DESCRIPTION

• Commencement: March 2026
• Locally Engaged Staff 
• Based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
• Open to PNG citizens only 

About the Program

The Australia – Papua New Guinea Economic Partnership (APEP) is a multi-sectoral investment which commenced in April 2022 and runs through Feb 2028 with the possibility of a two-year extension. APEP is delivered as part of the broader PNGAus Partnership which brings strong alignment and integration with Government of PNG (GoPNG) and Government of Australia (GoA) development priorities. APEP is also a primary vehicle and coordination point from which Australia delivers its economic development support to PNG.

APEP works collaboratively with other Australian investments and development partners, to deliver impactful and sustainable development outcomes across four key engagement areas:

• EOPO 1 – Safeguarding Macroeconomic Stability
• EOPO 2 – Supporting More Efficient and Inclusive Markets
• EOPO 3 – Fostering Inclusive Agricultural Growth and Expanded Livelihoods
• EOPO 4 – Catalysing Economic Research and Dialogue

Gender equality, disability social inclusion (GEDSI), women’s economic empowerment, and climate resilience are central to APEP and integrated across all engagement areas and activities

APEP applies a twin-track approach to GEDSI and Women’s Economic Empowerment through mainstreaming into workstream activities and managing discrete, targeted projects where it facilitates cross-cutting progress towards program outcomes.

About the Opportunity

The GEDSI Program Manager will play an important role supporting the GEDSI and Safeguarding Unit Manager by providing technical advice and activity management In line with APEP’s GEDSI Strategy. This includes: undertaking GEDSI analyses; identifying GEDSI opportunities, either discrete or integrated within other programs; designing and implementing activities; managing contracts; coordinating contractors, advisers and other stakeholders; and monitoring, measuring and communicating impacts including preparing documents like performance reports, briefings, meeting minutes, etc.

Key responsibilities

Job Specific Activities 

• Work closely with the GEDSI and Safeguarding Unit Manager to operationalise technical GEDSI support to the APEP Program including an annual review and update of the APEP GEDSI Strategy.
• Work closely with the Unit Manager to support consistent implementation and reporting against the APEP GEDSI strategy and effective delivery of gender and inclusion focussed activities.
• Ensure gender equality, disability and social inclusion mainstreaming is defined, coherent and visible within APEP.
• Support capacity building within APEP and with delivery partners, so that GEDSI principles are routinely applied and momentum is built.
• Conduct analysis or research in GEDSI areas.

Program Management

• Manage the implementation of programs including direct partner engagement, monitoring of progress, and review of milestones and deliverables.
• Collaborate with Abt Shared Services team to support recruitment, contracting, procurement, budget, logistics, management of invoices, payments and timesheets.
• Contribute to the program and activity reporting, including six-monthly and annual progress reports and other reports as required.
• Contribute to project-level monitoring and evaluation (M&E), including data tabulation and management of APEP’s M&E system.
• Develop briefings, concept notes, project activity design documents, including with preliminary identification of opportunities, other reports and workshops related to the GEDSI team.

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Develop and maintain working relationships and engagement with internal and external stakeholders, including government (national and provincial), private sector and civil society actors.
• Represent APEP at internal and external meetings and events, and coordinate and organise internal and external meetings, events and seminars with program partners and key stakeholders.
• Lead relevant stakeholder engagement activities with program partners and GoPNG counterparts with the potential for internal presentations or external events.
• Support program technical and strategy discussions.
• Assist in the management of relationships with the client and other key stakeholders.

Other 

• Contribute to and learn from Abt’s GEDSI Community of Practice.
• Other duties as required by the Unit Manager.

Key deliverables

• Implementation support for the GEDSI Strategy including GEDSI-specific deliverables as per the annual workplan.
• Support development, operationalisation and reporting against the GEDSI Strategy across APEP.
• Contribute to development and sharing of GEDSI information, knowledge and tools to support integration of GEDSI within APEP.
• Effectively manage assigned projects.
• Contribute to project activity design and provide GEDSI technical advice to workstream activity designs and implementation.
• Timely and high-quality progress reports to the Unit Manager (and ad-hoc reports as required).
• Contribute to six-monthly and annual performance reports and annual review and revision of APEP strategy.

Key working relationships

• GEDSI Technical Advisor
• GEDSI and Safeguarding Unit Manager
• APEP Deputy Director
• APEP Workstream Leads
• APEP MERLA team
• Relevant GoPNG representatives (Department of Treasury, Department of Finance, Department of Labour and Industrial Relations, Department of Personnel Management) and relevant provincial and district GoPNG partners.
• External stakeholders including civil society organisations, organisations for persons with a disability, private sector, female and male reform champions and networks, etc.
• Abt GEDSI Community of Practice.

About You

For applications to be considered, a response to the Key Selection Criteria below must be provided.

• Qualifications in social work, public health, gender, and disability studies and or related fields in international development, social sciences, and public policy.
• 5 years’ minimum relevant experience leading delivery of GEDSI projects and/or programs.
• Demonstrated experience in practical and impactful GEDSI mainstreaming approaches.
• Excellent understanding of the integration of GEDSI in monitoring, evaluation and learning processes and data collection.
• Experience in developing GEDSI programs, engaging internal and external stakeholders and delivering GEDSI training.
• Experience in leading events that promote GEDSI awareness issues.
• Ability to positively apply diversity and inclusion in development program operations.

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.
• Applicants must attach a valid Police Clearance Certificate obtained within 12 months from date their application is submitted.

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

Closing Date: Friday, 16 January 2026 (Midday, 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.