JOB DESCRIPTION

• Commencement: March 2026
• Based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
• Open to PNG Citizens 

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 comprised of three separately designed programs including; Bougainville Partnership, Kokoda Initiative Partnership and South Fly Resilience Plan and Western Province Partnership. Each program has its own outcomes, theory of change, operational approach and separate monitoring and evaluation systems.

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 Associates under a single contract from 2022 to 2026, the centralised approach is aimed to ensure and drive value for money by realising back office efficiencies, ensure gender is consistently at the forefront of each program and deliver opportunities for learning and adaptation between programs.

The Kokoda Initiative Partnership (KIP) is a partnership between the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia to sustainably develop and protect the Kokoda Track and surrounding areas. The KIP support is delivered under three pillars: Track, People and Environment in alignment with the PNG Government’s Kokoda Initiative Master Plan.

Pillar 1 – TRACK Objective: A safe and well-managed track whose special military values and historical integrity are protected.

The KIP works with the Kokoda Track Authority (KTA), the Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) and the National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG) to promote and protect the Kokoda Track, and enhance Track safety for local communities and visitors through effective policies and governance systems, Track maintenance and communications networks.

Pillar 2 – PEOPLE Objective: Enhanced quality of life and income for landowners and communities of the Kokoda Track region.

The KIP works with the Oro and Central Provincial health and education authorities, church health and education providers and NGOs to improve the quality of life for communities through health, education and community driven development projects and income generation activities.

Pillar 3 – ENVIRONMENT Objective: The sustainable use of the protected area.

The KIP supports the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) to protect the Kokoda Track and surrounding region and preserve the region’s unique biodiversity and cultural environments.

About the Opportunity

The Project Officer is responsible for providing support KIP program delivery playing an important supporting role to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of programming across the Kokoda Initiative Partnership.

Working with the KIP team, the Project officer will coordinate implementation of the KIP Education programs and deliverables for the Pillar 2 objectives in alignment with the KIP results framework.

Education project support includes project administration, planning, delivery, monitoring and reporting of education programs, including but not limited to:

• Teacher qualification upgrades
• Teacher In-service training
• School Inspections and teacher assessments
• School BOM and SLIP monitoring activities
• Additional projects as identified by the KIP team Leader

Key responsibilities 

The Project Officer – Education’s specific responsibilities are:

• Support development of workplans, schedules, activity planning and project delivery
• Support on program related M&E, conduct surveys for KIP related activities and programs
• Support communities to develop the skills required to develop and manage sustainable projects which may including delivering training, collecting and reporting of data and stories to support KIP M&E processes
• Support program reviews and revise work planning as required to ensure that the program remains appropriate to deliver program outcomes.
• Participation in the evaluation and development projects for Kokoda catchment areas
• Support coordination tasks, including the organisation of meetings, events and seminars;
• Support program and activity reporting and contributions to facility-level reports, including six-monthly outputs and annual outcomes reports;
• Work closely with the implementation team to ensure compliance with program operational systems, policies and processes;
• Assist with stakeholder and program analysis in order to support and contribute to the program of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework, including data tabulation and management;
• Support all procurement and contract management processes project delivery
• Support financial, travel and administrative tasks related to project delivery
• Support KI events, launches and media activities.
• Deliver Child Protection and PSEAH awareness sessions to KI program participants as required.
• Support the KI Communications Coordinator in the capture of relevant media from KI health education and livelihoods projects in the field.
• Other duties as directed by the Team Leader KIP.

Key Deliverables  

• Ensure output plans, communication products and reports are delivered on time and to a high quality standard inline with DFAT and Abt guidelines and requirements.
• Provide high quality progress reports in line with the Partnership and Abt Associates standards.
• Ensures the integration of Gender, Equality, Disability, Social Inclusion and Democratic Governance approaches into all activities and project plans.

 

 

Key working relationships 

• Team Leader, KIP.
• KI Communications Coordinator
• Project Officers for Health, Education and livelihoods
• MERLA Team
• Communities in the Kokoda catchment areas
• APSP Partnership teams
• Colleagues across Abt PNG programs including GEDSI, MERLA, Procurement

About You 

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience in education service delivery or relevant field.

Knowledge 

• Minimum 3 years’ experience delivering programs in rural and remote community contexts (preferably in an education or development context);
• Good written communication skills with demonstrated experience monitoring and reporting on field projects in alignment with monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Knowledge of the Kokoda Track, the trekking and tourism industries and broader Kokoda catchment regions.
• Experience consulting with rural and remote communities, landowners and village leaders
• Knowledge of DFAT’s social safeguards including Child protection, PSEAH, Gender Equality and Disability Inclusion.

Skills/Experience 

• Advanced Microsoft Excel and Word skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to consult effectively in rural and remote communities especially in a cross-cultural context;
• Ability to manage challenges, solve problems and mitigate risks when delivering field projects.
• Sound financial acquittal and reporting experience and processes
• Ability to support the media requirements of the Kokoda Initiative including taking photos, conducting beneficiary interviews and drafting content for KI media products.
• Experience working with sub-national counterparts, from district administrations and provincial administrations
• Experience supporting events in rural and remote communities.

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, 23 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.