MidFull TimeEN
Economic Initiative Program (EIP) Manager | APSP
Commencement: June 2026
Long term role, based in Daru, Western Province, Papua New Guinea
Open to PNG Citizens
About the Program
A stable, prosperous, peaceful and resilient Papua New Guinea is critical to Australia’s interests. Australia is PNG’s largest development partner and a key partner on economic and security issues.
The Australia–Papua New Guinea Subnational Program (APSP) includes an enabling Facility and four program activities: Western Province Partnership, Kokoda Initiative Partnership, Subnational Governance Implementation Plan, and Bougainville Partnership. Each activity has its own outcomes, theory of change, operating approach, and monitoring and evaluation system.
The APSP Facility provides shared services to support delivery across all activities, including HR, finance and administration, safety and security, procurement and infrastructure, grants, fleet and transport, ICT, legal/contracts, GEDSI and safeguarding, communications, and MEL.
Abt Associates manages APSP under a single contract through to 2030. The centralised model drives value for money through back-office efficiencies, keeps key policy priorities (gender, disability, subnational governance and climate change) consistent across activities, and supports learning and adaptation between programs.
The Western Province Partnership (WPP) is a component of the APSP. WPP supports Australia and Western Province to foster stronger ties and better coordination to improve human and economic development, enabling infrastructure and regional security. The WPP is also nested under the Australia-PNG Western Province Strategy (2022-2030).
The WPP works toward the realisation of the following end of program outcomes (EOPO) by 2030:
Women and men participating in program activities have diversified livelihoods from agriculture and fisheries.
Targeted communities collaborate to strengthen welfare, production, and resilience.
Women contribute to decision-making and take on leadership roles in targeted provincial, district, and community structures.
Policy and practice at provincial and district levels are directed towards delivery of minimum priority services.
WPP is delivered through the following program components:
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)
Community grants
Economic Initiatives Program
Gender Empowerment and Advocacy Program
Ranger program
Provincial capacity development
Disability support services
Abt’s Papua New Guinea headquarters are in Port Moresby; however, WPP operates primarily from Daru, with a small satellite facility and office in Morehead. The program delivers across a broad geographic area, supporting activities in multiple remote locations across Western Province, mostly in South Fly District. Western Province is a challenging operating environment, with complex logistics driven by distance, limited transport infrastructure and weather-related access constraints
About the Opportunity
The Economic Initiatives Program Manager will be responsible for the management, of the functions and operations of a EIP team, including team leadership, grants management, and capacity building. The EIP Manager will ensure the outputs are compliant with DFAT and Abt Associates policies and deliver on agreed objectives as set out in APSP operations manuals.
A key function of the position will be the demonstration of a visible and systematic commitment to achieving gender equality at Abt and for achieving against agreed gender equality performance objectives.
Key responsibilities
Grant Management & Procurement:
Oversee EIP Grants project cycle in accordance with EIP Operations Manual guidelines, including: the call for proposals, mobilization, implementation and management of grants;
Ensure coordination and management of a portfolio of approved grants, including: handling enquiries, assessments, monitoring and reporting of the grants pipelines;
Oversee a project and grantee based management information system and associated monitoring arrangements (including formats) to supervise the performance of grantees in implementing projects. Ensure the implementation of systematic and scheduled monitoring of grants.
Draft project contracts and associated agreements according to financial controls and the procedures manual for grants and funding applications as approved by the EIP Technical Working Group (TWG).
Ensure coordination of grants information and reports throughout the life of each grant, in collaboration with the Finance Officer and EIP Grant Officers;
Oversee monitoring spot-checks of grant recipients within the grants portfolio to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of grants funds in accordance with agreed Grantee project activity and procurement plans;
Liaise and coordinate with the finance team, Grant Officers, and grant recipients in managing approved grants, including a joint approach to the monitoring of progress and expenditure against milestones that builds capacity of counterpart staff and grant recipients;
Support liaison with WPP Operations Team in coordination of EIP logistics and operational requirements, including the provision of an updated monthly travel schedule to the Security Coordinator and Logistics & Administration Officer on a bi-weekly basis;
Provide grants specific reports as required.
Support procurement coordination and oversight of EIP Grant Officers and ensure adherence to timelines and quality controls
Morehead Development Hub
Lead on activity design, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of EIP activities delivered through the hub, including outreach, training, research, partnerships and input distribution.
Provide technical input to and in establishing agriculture programs, value chains and initiatives that support livelihood diversification and market opportunities, including working closely with the Agriculture Adviser.
Support and develop plans to guide hub activities on an annual basis in terms of future programming, communications, extension and innovation uptake.
Identify and develop relationships with stakeholders, research institutions, private public partnerships, local and international bodies to promote research, learning, extension and data sharing.
Promote sustainable practises and learning across organisations in Western Province through training, research, communication and extension.
Communicate to management, partners, stakeholders, government agencies on hub performance and plans especially the EIP Technical Working Group and Steering Committee.
EIP Leadership
Ensure output plans, individual work plans and team plans are delivered as agreed.
Mentor and develop EIP personnel.
Design, record and implement capacity building and training strategies.
Liaise with Management/Advisers to ensure cohesion and integration of EIP and other programmatic components.
Establish and manage effective relationships with Technical Working Group (TWG).
With the Team Leader, establish and manage effective relationships with relevant government and community partners.
Conduct awareness campaigns and ensure accurate and ‘on message’ information is disseminated.
Manage grievances, conflict of interest and corruption situations as they arise, internally and externally.
Provide strategic advice to Team Leader on matters that may affect the achievement of EIP activity outcomes or the overall direction of the program;
Ensure that stakeholders (farmers, traders, manufacturers, government agencies and civil society groups and donors) have knowledge and understanding of the purpose of the EIP;
Ensure effective coordination and management of the portfolio of EIP farmer group grants, including: monitoring and updating tranche payment tracking and database upkeep;
Ensure EIP Grant Officers adhere to the EIP’s grants systems (including the farmer handbook) and the EIP Operations Manual (including processes, procedures, and tools);
Provide oversight and approval of grantee technical assessments and financial reporting;
When required, contribute to the improvement of EIP tools, project-based management information systems and associated monitoring arrangements (including formats) to supervise the performance of grantees in implementing projects;
Work closely in a strong partnership with Counterparts from the DAL, Community Governments and other WPA/SFD sections/divisions in undertaking the grants management and administration function;
Contribute strategic advice on matters that may affect the achievement of EIP activity outcomes or the overall direction of the program.
Budget management
Support the preparation of budget and financial reporting of projects, developing and monitoring of monthly budgets and forecasts and identify any variances between budgeted amounts against the actual costs incurred.
Coordinate the payment of invoices and the sourcing of quotes that align with the facility’s financial procurement standards and processes.
Work closely with the WPP grant focal point and Team Leader/Grant Manager to review narrative and financial reporting and ensure compliance.
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion – Collaborate with the MERL and GEDSI teams to ensure:
Performance indicators and targets, with a focus on gender and youth, are included in grant agreements and incorporated in monitoring and reporting systems;
The timely collection of data and information relevant to gender and social inclusion performance indicators and targets.
That relevant aspects of the WPP’s GEDSI strategy are incorporated into EIP programming and monitoring.
Safeguarding
Support partner compliance with all relevant policies and procedures regarding environmental and social safeguards.
Ensure staff take responsibility and adhere to Health, Safety and Security policies and procedures and report any issues encountered.
Other
Compliance with DFAT and Abt Associates policies.
Participate in communities of practice, as relevant.
Support program close out and novation activities.
Any other reasonable duties as directed by the Team Leader
Key working relationships
Reporting to:
Team Leader
Direct reports:
Project Officers x3
Working alongside:
Deputy Team Leader
Community Grants Scheme Manager
Morehead Development Hub Manager
Morehead Farm Coordinator
GEAP Manager, GEDSI & Safeguarding COP
MERLA Adviser & MERLA Manager
Finance & Operations Manager
Facilities & Securities Manager
Security Coordinator
Infrastructure & Procurement Coordinator
Accountant (POM)
Abt PNG Management Services Unit
Implementing Partners – national and sub national levels
DFAT, GoPNG and key stakeholders at national and sub national levels
About You
For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided.
Qualifications
Tertiary qualifications in project management, public policy, economics, agriculture, development or relevant field.
Skills/Experience
3+ years’ experience managing or coordinating grant schemes or community development activities across large and complex politically sensitive environments in PNG.
Demonstrated interpersonal skills with an ability to build effective teams collaborate and influence others, especially in a cross-cultural context.
Demonstrated analytical skills, preferably with IT skills in excel.
Strong written communication skills with demonstrated experience preparing high quality reports and professional documents for senior and executive audiences.
Ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders to collect, clarify, collate and share data.
Effective time management, with proven delivery of activities and reports on schedule.
Demonstrated ability to integrate and promote principles of gender equity and social inclusion in all aspects of this role including in program design, implementation and evaluation.
Personal Attributes
Resilient
Delivers Results
Builds Internal and External Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty
Develops People
Sets Vision and Direction
Demonstrates Sound Financial and Business-Related Practices
Builds Teams and Cooperation
Promotes Technical Excellence and Quality
Promotes Diversity
Acts as a Role Model
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: 5 May 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
<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.
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.
