Job Description

Senior Transport Specialist | WesternProvince Partnership (WPP),Australia Papua NewGuineaSubnational Program (APSP)

• Commencement: May 2026 – Feb 2027 possibility of extension

• Location: Combinationofremote working arrangements and working PortMoresbyandDaru,Papua New Guinea

• Open to all

About the Program

Astable,prosperous,peaceful,andresilientPNGiscriticaltoAustralia'sinterests. AustraliaisPNG'slargestdevelopment partner,itsmainpartneroneconomicand security issues.

TheAustralia PNGSubnationalProgram(APSP)isanenablingmechanism comprised ofthree separately designed programs including: Bougainville Partnership (BP), KokodaInitiativePartnership(KIP),andtheSouthFlyResiliencePlan(SFRP)whichis transitioningto the Western Province Partnership (WPP).Each program hasits own outcomes, theory of change, operational approach and separate monitoring and evaluation systems.

TheAPSP alsoincludestheSubnationalGovernanceImplementationPlan {SGIP)that proposes a scalable foundational delivery model of subnational engagement. The SGIPisreferencedintheAPSPContractandStrategicFrameworkasthecontinuation of the current network of subnational advisers (SNA) in the Western Province, Highlands, Sepiks and Morobe.

Therearefivehighleveloutcomeswhichspanallprograms:

• Output one:Effective gender-centered programsdeliveredfor Bougainville, Kokoda,andWestern Province

• Outputtwo:SupportDFATtocoordinate Australian inputsin selected subnational contexts

• Output three:Technical assistancetargetedat key institutionsand policy reforms

• Outputfour: RapidprogrammingofresourcesinsupportofDFAT priorities

• Outputfiveandsix:Analysis,learning,andadaptation

ManagedbyAbtAssociatesunderasinglecontractfrom2022to2030,thecentralised approach is aimed to ensure and drive value formoney by realisingback-office efficiencies,ensuregender is consistently at theforefront ofeach program and deliver opportunitiesforlearning andadaptationbetweenprograms.

TheWesternProvincePartnership(WPP)is acomponentof theAustralia-PapuaNew GuineaSubnationalProgram(APSP).TheobjectiveoftheWPPisforAustraliaand WesternProvince fosterstrongertiesandgreatercoordinationto improvehuman and economicdevelopment,enabling infrastructure andregional security.

TheWPPwillworktowardtherealizationofthefollowingendofprogramoutcomes

(EOPO)by2030:

1. Womenandmenparticipating inprogramactivitieshavediversified livelihoods from agriculture and fisheries.

2. Targetedcommunitiescollaboratetostrengthenwelfare,production,and resilience

3. Women contribute todecision-makingand takeon leadership roles in targeted provincial, district, and communitystructures.

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

The WPP is nested under the Western Province Strategy which aims tounify Australia'sdevelopmentassistanceandcapturesAustralia'swhole-of-government engagement.

About the Opportunity

TheSenior Transportation SpecialistwillprovidestrategicandtechnicaladvicetoAbt GlobalandDFATonthemanagementofthe South FlyShippingService{SFSS)and broadertransportoptionssupportingtheWesternProvincePartnership{WPP).The rolewillleadastructuredconsultation processtodefineservice requirements and inform the scope of an opentender for shipping support {2027-2030), including stakeholdermappinganddemandanalysis acrossWPP and otherAustralian-funded programs.TheSpecialistwillassess operational andprocurementrisks,recommend practicalmitigationsandcontract modeloptions,andsupport establishment of fit-for-purposeperformancemonitoring andreporting arrangements.

There maybe opportunities to extend advisorysupportto WPP tohelp manage shipping service performancebeyond the initial assignmentperiod.

Key responsibilities and Deliverables

ReportingtotheTeamLeader,theSTAwill

• SupporttheWestern Province Partnership {WPP) todesign and deliver astructured consultation process to informthe scope of anopen tender for shipping support covering 2027-2030.

• Contributetomappingofstakeholdersandshippingdemandacross WPP and other Australian-fundedprograms deliveringin Western Province(e.g.,health,infrastructure,governanceandrelatedsector programs), identifyingpotentialsynergies and shared service requirements.

• Develop aconsultation plan(stakeholder list,engagement methods, consultation questions, schedule) to validate demand forecasts, routes, service levels, and operating model options

• Facilitateconsultations(workshops/interviews)withkeystakeholders to capture requirements, constraints, and priorities, including: DFAT/AustralianHigh Commissionsector teams; managing contractor; implementing partners;GoPNG/Western Province counterparts as relevant; port/agency stakeholders; and current/potentialservice providers (as appropriate).

• Translateconsultationfindingsintoclear,testableservicerequirements

• forthetenderscope,including{asrelevant):routes/portsofcall.

frequencyandschedulingflexibility;vesselcapability(draft,

landing/discharge capability, crane/handling);cargo types and special handlingneed;passenger/missionrequirements(ifany);safetyand compliance expectations; reportingand performance metrics;and interface with shipping agent services.

• Assess and recommend options to enable cross-program efficiencies, including governance arrangements for shared use, cargo prioritization principles, cost-sharing approaches, and mechanisms to manage competing demands during peak delivery periods.

• Identifymarketconsiderationsandprocurement risksthatcouldaffect tenderdesign(e.g.,availability ofsuitable vessels, markettightening, cabotage constraints,fuelprice exposure) andpropose practical mitigations thatcan be reflected inthe scope andcontract settings.

• Providepracticaladviceonmanagingtransportationrisksandputting effective mitigation measures in place.

• Supportthemanagingcontractortostrengtheninternalcargoplanning andservicemanagementsystems(includingforecasting,scheduling, bookingcontrols and discharge planning),andtosetclearprocesses for workingwiththe shippingservice provider and shippingagent.

• Adviceoncontractmodelandpackagingoptions(e.g.,timechartervs voyage/slot purchase; inclusion/exclusionof shippingagent; reimbursables;service-levelincentives/penalties)toensurevaluefor money and operational reliability over 2027-2030.

• Supportthedesignanddeliveryofeffectiveperformance monitoring, includingperformance indicators, data requirements, reporting, and review arrangements.

• Participate in and contribute to quarterly review meetings with the currentlycontracted vesselprovider, vesselowner andshippingagent.

• Supportinternalalignmentanddecision-makingbypresentingfindings toDFAT/AHC andWPP,andbyincorporatingfeedback intofinaltender scope recommendations.

• Maintain anissue/risk logthroughout the assignment, with recommended actions/ownersanddecisionpointsrequiredtokeepthe procurement on track.

About You/Key Selection Criteria

Qualifications

• Postgraduatequalificationsintransportation,businessadministrationor related discipline.
  
  

  Skills/Experience

• Extensiveseniorexperience(typically15+ years) intransport andlogistics advisory roles, including service planning and operational management in challenging/remote contexts.
• Demonstratedcapabilitytoleadstructuredconsultationsandtranslate stakeholderinputintoclear,testableservicerequirementsandtender scopes (e.g.,routes,servicelevels,vessel/cargorequirements,compliance,KPlsand reporting).
• Proven experience engagingeffectively with diverse stakeholders (donors, managing contractors, implementing partners, government counterparts and private sector providers), includingfacilitating workshops/interviewsandpresenting clearrecommendationstosupport decision-making.
• Strongknowledgeofmarinetransport andlogisticssystemsinPNG (nationalandsub-national),includingpracticalunderstandingofoperating constraints (ports/landingsites, weather, safety, compliance, cabotage/marketconditions).Experience inWesternProvince isdesirable.
• Excellentanalyticalandwritingskills, witha track record of producing high-quality deliverables such as inception notes, stakeholder/demand assessments,optionsandriskbriefs,andtechnicalinputstoprocurement/tender documentation.
• Highlydevelopedcommunicationandinterpersonalskills,includingthe ability to influence and build alignment across organizations, and towork effectivelyin multi-culturalenvironments.
• Demonstratedability to integrateand promotegenderequality,disability and social inclusion in transport/logistics planning and in stakeholder consultation and decision-makingprocesses.
• Experience with donor quality, value-for-money and reporting requirements,including designingpractical performancemonitoring frameworks (KPls,datarequirements,reportingandreviewarrangements) andsupporting contract performance reviews.

• Demonstratedabilityto identify operationalandprocurement risksand develop practical mitigations, including advising on contract models and packaging options to improvereliability and value formoney

How to Apply

• Please ensure you 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.

• If making an application for both jobs, please submit two separate applications.

• 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: (1st April 2026, 5pm, 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

<For more information on the role and how to apply, please click on ‘Apply Now’>

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About Us

Abt Global 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 Global 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.