JOB DESCRIPTION

Location: AROB, Autonomous Region of Bougainville

Commencement:  March 2026

Open to PNG Citizens

About the Program 

The Bougainville Partnership (BP) took on its current form in 2016, inheriting activities from a number of separately administered initiatives. The new program commencing April 2022 is identified as a key element of the new Australian Subnational Strategic Framework for PNG, recently established to bring together a rationale and operational framework for a set of place-based initiatives that reflect geographical priorities based on the mutual interests of Australia and PNG.

For Australia the emergence of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Bougainville is a key national interest; supporting the Government of PNG and the Autonomous Bougainville Government to implement the Bougainville Peace Agreement is an explicit commitment in the 2017 White Paper. An overriding interest is to maintain the peace that the Agreement brought about and that is enabled by political dialogue, within and outside Bougainville, and economic development. It implies a readiness to engage for the long term, accepting that the development of institutions and diversified economic opportunities will be slow.

The structure of the program remains similar to the Bougainville Partnership’s previous program, but with updated outcomes as follows:

Pillar 1 – Capable institutions

1. GoPNG and ABG institutions are able to carry out high priority tasks that support Bougainville’s development and the post-referendum dialogue: Supporting defined tasks connected with the development of essential institutions, the draw-down of powers, Post-Referendum Dialogue and/or an aligned road map that leads towards greater autonomy.

Pillar 2 – Economic development

2. ABG and business associations jointly plan and implement initiatives to improve the private sector environment for inclusive economic development: Measures to improve the environment for private sector development and deepen the dialogue between the government and the private sector will be promoted through technical assistance.

3. Women and men engaged in primary production have increased incomes and benefit from inclusive associations and cooperatives: The current agricultural value chain activities will be continued, focussing on improving cocoa quality and linking producers to markets. This objective must be complemented with an economic inclusive policy and strategy that facilitates the interest of women, youth and people living with disabilities to actively participate and benefit from the economic activities.

Pillar 3 – Stronger communities

4. Community, youth and women’s groups collaborate effectively to establish sustainable community assets, deliver services and advocate for their target groups: Formerly the peace-building component, activities will include continuation and expansion of the existing successful community grants program, initiatives to provide skills and foster networks for youth, and community infrastructure.

Pillar Crosscutting Outcome:

5. Women increasingly participate in decision making and take on leadership roles in civic, economic and political spaces: The program will use the entry points from its range of activities to promote women’s leadership.

About the Opportunity 

In recent years the BP has implemented several infrastructure projects, including but not limited to:

• Arawa Hospital upgrade
• Bougainville Technical College administration block
• Education: 18 double classrooms
• Community Government: 10 Offices and 9 Community Halls
• Bougainville Commodities Regulatory Authority Lab
• More than one hundred small infrastructure projects through community and agricultural grant schemes

Going forward the BP program will increase infrastructure investments in governance, economic development, law and justice, education, health and other public infrastructure.

Reporting to the Infrastructure & Facilities Lead, the Infrastructure Manager (IM) will undertake the following core functions:

BP Infrastructure Delivery

• Provide project management of approved infrastructure projects delivered directly by the BP program.
• Provide progress reports and oversight of approved infrastructure projects delivered by service providers (Contractors) on behalf of the BP program.

Capacitation of the ABG

• Collaborate with the Department of Infrastructure & Utilities (DIU) and Abt staff – predominantly the Infrastructure Officers, to capacitate and integrate service providers to successfully deliver approved infrastructure projects.
• Provide feedback to the Infrastructure & Facilities Lead and guidance to DIU staff on the implementation of systems and process in procurement, contracting, contract management, delivery and compliance.
• Through an inclusive relationship with the ABG and core partners, the IM will assist the Infrastructure & Facilities Lead with the maintenance of timely communications, progress reporting and frontline relationships to successfully deliver Bougainville’s infrastructure project completion.

The IM will demonstrate a visible and systematic commitment to achieving gender equality through the APSP and for achieving against agreed gender equality performance objectives.

 

Key Responsibilities 

Reporting to the Infrastructure & Facilities Lead, the IM’s specific responsibilities will include:

BP Infrastructure Delivery

• Provide oversight of infrastructure procurement processes, logistics and delivery across the portfolio of infrastructure related works focusing on the development of sub-contractors, loss mitigation and loss prevention, supply chain delivery, and managing community agreements, including the management of their successful execution for the delivery of projects on time, cost and quality.
• Implementing building plans, delivering scopes of works against costed work plans, and successfully exceeding ABG and BP expectations with regards to project delivery.
• Complete and compile all required BP compliance forms for all projects including fully and partly funded DFAT/MFAT projects.
• Utilise DIU tracking and reporting systems on all infrastructure projects in conjunction with the nominated software system to be adopted across the program. This is to include regular reporting and highlighting issues with contract execution utilising these systems.
• Prepare information for the Infrastructure & Facilities Lead to consolidate into written reports on specific issues as requested for regular and ad hoc reporting.
• Manage multiple projects sites concurrently throughout Bougainville including site inspections and monitor progress with consultants, construction contractors and local officials during the program construction activities. Assist in preparation of reports through to final sign off by end users.
• Ensure tracking or requirements, achievement of deliverables and milestones are completed in accordance with the contracts.
• Complete progress reports detailing any delays, foreseeable risks with recommendations for the way forward, incidents of non-compliance, WH&S incidents, and remaining activities planned.
• Work with the BP Infrastructure Unit to evaluate service providers (contractors) have comprehensively fulfilled their contractual obligations ensuring the service provider acts quickly to redress faults and the close out of the contract.
• Ensure that infrastructure (construction, refurbishment and maintenance and renovation) activities reflect DFAT development principles of gender equity and social inclusion.
• Working together with the Infrastructure Officers to provide input on suggested improvements and areas of collaboration with ABG departments in both system and infrastructure improvements.

Capacitation of the ABG

• Review the technical plans, work plans and logistics with DIU counterparts to ensure approved activities are communicated and direction is clear and concise.
• Alongside DIU counterparts, support the implementation of DIU’s corporate systems and processes and strengthening counterpart’s knowledge and skills.
• Familiarise and demonstrate to the BP and other development partners the DIU systems and process in procurement, contracting, contract management, delivery and compliance to be utilised.
• Provide feedback to the Infrastructure & Facilities Lead on improvement opportunities to the Infrastructure & Facilities Lead systems and processes to promote a continuous improvement methodology in systems development.
• With DIU counterparts, ensure 100% of materials, equipment, and supplies are accounted for prior to issuing to approved projects. Monitor and report discrepancies during issuing and usage, document variances against work plans and communicate to Infrastructure & Facilities Lead for DoVs and adjustments to bill of quantities.
• Assist the Infrastructure & Facilities Lead on training and development of ABG personnel managing procurement, incorporating the application of the Goods Procurement Manual. Mentor ABG Department staff in standard minor procurement, logistics and supply chain as required.

 

Specific Deliverables

• Successful trade and technical oversight and delivery of approved infrastructure projects implemented directly by the BP program.
• Successful trade and technical oversight and delivery of approved infrastructure projects delivered by service providers on behalf of the BP program.
• The DIU is capacitated to managed logistics, work planning and execution, management of consultants and contractors and developing, utilising and reviewing standard operating procedures.
• The BP and other development partners are progressively implementing DIU systems and process in procurement, contracting, contract management, delivery and compliance into approved infrastructure projects.
• Enhanced relationships, problem-solving, and GEDSI integration with key stakeholders and counterparts in support of Bougainville Partnership development priorities

Key working relationships 

ABG & GoPNG 

• Secretary, Department of Infrastructure & Utilities
• Senior Staff, Department of Infrastructure & Utilities
• Other ABG Departments as agreed

Bougainville Partnership 

• Infrastructure & Facilities Lead
• Infrastructure Advisor & Officers
• Director, BP
• Team Leader, Economic Development (Pillar 2)
• Team Leader, Stronger Communities (Pillar 3)
• Finance & Operations Lead
• MERLA Adviser and MERLA Officers
• GEDSI Manager and GESDI Coordinator
• Long- and short-term Advisers to: DoTF, BTO, DPMAS, DJLS, NCOBA

Primary External Relationships:

• Australian High Commission (Port Moresby)
• New Zealand High Commission (Port Moresby)

About You:

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications civil or structural engineering, construction management, quantity surveying, or a related engineering discipline, or
• Trade background in civil construction and infrastructure with extensive knowledge in the AS/NZ standards for building construction and infrastructure projects.
• Project management certified.
• Work, health and safety certified

Knowledge 

• Demonstrated knowledge of infrastructure project delivery, logistics, coordination and processes appropriate for use in rural and remote infrastructure delivery.
• Demonstrated knowledge of project planning, risk management, monitoring, quality assurance, procurement, and contract management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of sustainability, social and environmental safeguards, health & safety, and inclusive infrastructure development.
• Knowledge of strategic planning, functional analysis, organisational design, organisational governance, capacity building and change management.
• Understanding of government systems and public infrastructure policies in Bougainville, PNG or a low-income country setting.

• Skills/Experience
• At least 10 years’ trade or engineering experience in infrastructure development, construction or civil works.
• At least 10 years’ experience in procurement, project management, and working with governments or development partners would be advantageous.
• At least 5 years work experience in construction procurement and contract management of sub-contractors.
• Competent level of analytical, written and verbal communication skills in English
• Experience in monitoring & evaluation of government or international development programs with multiple contributing workstreams and providing written reports to management and donors.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability work in remote, cross-cultural context in austere environments.
• Willingness to integrate and promote principles of gender equity and social inclusion in all aspects of this role including in program design, implementation, and evaluation where relevant and feasible.

Personal Attributes

• Delivers Results
• Builds Internal and External Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty.
• Develops People
• Communicates Readily
• Exceptional Planning
• Demonstrates Sound Financial and Business-Related Practices
• Builds Teams and Cooperation
• Promotes Technical Excellence and Quality
• Promotes Diversity Acts as a Role Model
• Solution Focused
• Goal Orientated

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 organization will not be accepted.
• The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt.

Abt Associates 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.

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

Closing Date:  Friday 16^th January 2026 (5pm, local time) 

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