Job Description

• Location: Port Moresby

• Commencement: September 2026

• Duration of contract: Up to 28 February 2030

• Open to PNG Citizens only

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 comprising three separately designed programs including: Bougainville Partnership (BP), Kokoda Initiative Partnership (KIP), and the Western Province Partnership (WPP). Each program has its own outcomes, theory of change, operational approach and separate monitoring and evaluation systems.

The APSP includes the Subnational Governance Implementation Plan (SGIP) that proposes a scalable foundational delivery model of subnational engagement. The SGIP is referenced in the APSP Contract and Strategic Framework as the continuation of the current network of subnational advisers (SNA) in the Western Province, Highlands, Sepik’s and Morobe.

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 Global under a single contract from 2026 -2030, the centralised approach aims to drive value for money by realising back-office efficiencies, ensuring gender equality is consistently embedded across each program, and creating opportunities for learning and adaptation between programs.

About the Program Activity

The Western Province Partnership (WPP) is a component of the Australia-Papua New Guinea Subnational Program (APSP). The objective of the WPP is for Australia and Western Province to foster stronger ties and improve coordination to support human and economic development, enabling infrastructure and regional security.

The WPP will work toward the realisation of the following end of program outcomes (EOPO) by 2030:

1. Women and men participating in program activities have diversified livelihoods from agriculture and fisheries.

2. Targeted communities collaborate to strengthen welfare, production, and resilience.

3. Women contribute to decision-making and take on leadership roles in targeted provincial, district, and community structures.

4. Policy and practice at provincial and district levels are directed towards delivery of minimum priority services.

The WPP is nested under the Western Province Strategy which aims to unify Australia’s development assistance and captures Australia’s whole-of-government engagement.

About the Opportunity

The Senior Program Coordinator will play a central coordination and support role helping to ensure effective and efficient program administration and value for money implementation for the Western Province Partnership (WPP).

The positionwill support the Finance and Operations Manager and the Senior Management Team across WPP and Port Moresby based APSP functions, including travel and logistics, procurement, finance operations, and general administrative support.

Working alongside the Finance and Operations Manager, the Senior Program Coordinator will provide head office operational and administrative support to the growing Daru office.

A key function of the role is to demonstration a visible and systematic commitment to gender equality within Abt and to contribute to agreed gender equality performance objectives.

Key Responsibilities

This role will be responsible for;

Administration and Operations

• Manage filing, document control, and data management across the WPP.

• Provide head office support to the Western Province-based team, including travel and logistics, procurement, finance operations, file management, and general administration.

• Coordinate travel and logistics proactively with the Western Province-based team, the APSP Port Moresby-based team, and Government of Papua New Guinea counterparts.

• Support WPP program event management.

• Support cargo coordination and movement with relevant supply chain stakeholders.

• Act as a key point of contact for travel, logistics, procurement, finance operations and administrative support as required.

• Help resolve logistical issues affecting program delivery by maintaining regular communication with APSP Program teams, the Program Managers, the Subnational Advisers, and the Western Province-based team;

• Interact professionally with stakeholders and develop positive, effective working relationships.
• Support and assist APSP Senior Management as required
• Perform other duties as reasonably directed by the Finance and Operations Manager and WPP Management team.

Key working relationships

Reporting to:

• Finance and Operations Manager, WPP

Working alongside:

• Team Leader – SGIP

• Deputy Team Leader – WPP

• Operations Lead, APSP

• Security, Facilities and Logistics Lead, WPP

• Logistics Shared Services, Port Moresby

• Procurement Shared Services Port Moresby

• Finance Shared Services, Port Moresby

• Travel Shared Services. Port Moresby

• Abt PNG Management Services Unit

• Implementing Partners at national and subnational levels

• Government of Papua New Guinea and key stakeholders at national and subnational levels

About You

For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided

Qualifications

• A relevant undergraduate degree or administrative qualification will be considered favourably.

Knowledge

• Demonstrated understanding of operational, logistics, and financial procedures.

• Knowledge and ability to undertake project and program management tasks, including applying relevant development procedures and approaches.

Skills/Experience

• Five years’ relevant experience and/or training in supporting program delivery, logistics coordination, and administration within complex environments.

• Demonstrated ability to proactively deliver results for the program.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-cultural team.

• Demonstrated commitment to promoting gender equity and social inclusion in all aspects of this role.

• Excellent administrative and operational skills and experience, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office and online project management tools.

• Good communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent time management and organisational skills.

• High level of attention to detail.

• Punctual, responsible and reliable.

Personal Attributes

• Delivers results for stakeholders

• Builds teams and cooperation

• Promotes equity, inclusivity and diversity

• Adapts to change Demonstrated ability to proactively deliver results for the program and stakeholders.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-cultural team; demonstrated ability to supervise and coordinate drivers/contractors and work collaboratively with geographically dispersed teams.

• Sound administrative and operational skills and experience, including working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel and accurate record keeping.

• Good communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills; good communication skills in English and Tok Pisin (written and verbal), with sound judgement under pressure.

• Excellent time management and organisational skills, with a high level of attention to detail.

• Proven ability to respond calmly and effectively to incidents and emergencies, and to follow established protocols and escalation pathways.

• Computer literacy, including experience using MS Office and ideally fleet tracking or asset management systems.

• Strong administrative skills, including the ability to manage sensitive information appropriately.

• Punctual, responsible and reliable.

• Delivers results for stakeholders.

• Builds teams and cooperation.

• Promotes equity, inclusivity and diversity; demonstrated commitment to promoting gender equity and social inclusion in all aspects of this role.

• Adapts to change.

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: Sunday, 30 August 2026, ( Mid Day, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT

Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

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