Job Description

Transition and Closeout Manager | PATH

• Long term adviser role with duration mid-June 2026 to mid-June 2027

• Location: Port Moresby

• Open to all applicants

About the Program

The PNG-Australia Transition to Health (PATH) program supports the Government of Papua New Guinea to strengthen health service delivery, with a focus on improving access, quality, and equity across the health system. This includes working closely with national and provincial counterparts, implementing partners, and other stakeholders to deliver priority health interventions and strengthen system performance.

As the program approaches completion, there is an increasing emphasis on structured transition and close-out. This involves ensuring that key activities, systems, and relationships are effectively handed over to government counterparts and other partners, so that gains achieved under PATH can be sustained beyond the life of the program. It also requires deliberate planning, coordination, and documentation to ensure continuity of service delivery during the transition period.

At the same time, the program remains accountable for meeting all contractual requirements, including the delivery of agreed outputs, achievement of KPIs and PAF indicators, and high-quality reporting to DFAT. This means balancing close-out planning with continued focus on performance, stakeholder engagement, and demonstrating impact through the final phase of implementation.

About the Opportunity

The Transition & Closeout Manager will play a central role in leading the planning, coordination, tracking, and delivery of all transition and close-out activities in close consultation with the Program's Team Leader, whilst maintaining a strong and proactive engagement with the Australian High Commission (AHC) by ensuring expectations are clearly understood, progress is communicated regularly, and any emerging issues are managed in a transparent and timely manner.

Scope of Work

The role will undertake the following tasks:

Transition and Closeout Planning

• Lead the development and ongoing refinement of a comprehensive Transition and Closeout Plan, ensuring alignment with program timelines, contractual requirements, and stakeholder expectations.
• Define clear milestones, deliverables, and accountabilities to guide systematic and timely program close-out.

Tracking and Systems

• Establish and manage robust tracking systems, including trackers and checklists, to monitor progress against transition and close-out plans.
• Ensure timely reporting, visibility of progress, and early identification of delays or gaps.

Coordination

• Lead coordination across technical, operations, finance, shared services, communications, and PAL teams to ensure integrated and aligned delivery of all close-out activities.
• Facilitate collaboration across teams to resolve dependencies and maintain momentum.

Governance and Communication

• Ensure clarity of roles, responsibilities, and deadlines across all workstreams, promoting accountability and timely delivery.
• Lead regular (bi-weekly) meetings with the Australian High Commission (AHC) and PATH teams, including setting agendas, tracking actions, and ensuring follow-up on key decisions and commitments.

Risk Management

• Proactively identify risks, bottlenecks, and emerging issues that may impact transition and close-out delivery and escalate as required.
• Maintain and regularly update the program risk register, ensuring mitigation actions are clearly defined and monitored.

Handover and Closeout Delivery

• Support and oversee structured handover processes to government counterparts and DFAT, ensuring continuity and sustainability of key activities.
• Lead the consolidation and quality assurance of deliverables, reports, and knowledge products to meet contractual requirements and support program legacy

General

• Undertake additional tasks as requested by the Team Leader to support effective program transition and close-out.

Key deliverables

• A comprehensive Transition and Close-out Plan, clearly outlining timelines, milestones and responsibilities.

• Integrated tracking tools and dashboards to monitor progress and support decision-making.

• Regular progress reports providing clear updates on status, risks and next steps.

• Meeting agendas, minutes and action trackers to support governance and follow-up.

• All required closeout deliverables completed and submitted in line with contractual requirements.

• Consolidated documents and handover packages for government and DFAT, ensuring continuity and sustainability.

• An up-to-date Transition and Closeout risk register, including mitigation actions and status tracking.

Reporting and Coordination

The ideal candidate will work in close collaboration with:

• PATH Team Leader

• PATH Senior Leadership Team

• Abt PNG Shared Services

• Australian High Commission (AHC)

• ISPs

• Government counterparts

About You

The ideal candidate must demonstrate the following key selection criteria

• Relevant tertiary qualification

• Demonstrated experience in program coordination, closeout, or project management.

• Strong organisational, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

How to Apply

• Applicants must strictly address the Key Selection Criteria (About You) in his/her cover letter when submitting his/her application online, along with his/her CV as a single document.

• Applications must be submitted personally by individuals only. Any applications submitted by a company or organisation will not be accepted.

• The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted

Closing Date: Thursday 4th June 2026 (Midday, 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.