LEAP Project Manager | PIE

• Commencing in May 2026 

• Contract duration: Up to 30th June 2027

• Based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

• Open to all candidates

About the Program 

The Partnerships for Improving Education (PIE) Program is a five-year initiative funded by the Government of Australia (GoA) to support the Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) in enhancing access to and the quality of education for PNG’s children. Through PIE, the GoA is supporting PNG’s National Department of Education (NDoE) to mobilise the Learning Enhancement and Access Program (LEAP) by facilitating the recruitment of this position within the LEAP Project Management Unit (PMU). LEAP is financed by a US$100 million loan from the International Development Association (IDA); a US$50 million loan from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund; and an approximately US$9.7 million GoA grant.

Partnerships for Improving Education: 

PIE focuses on early-grade education at both national and sub-national levels, targeting four key locations (Provinces of Enga, West Sepik and Central and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville).

PIE seeks to drive policy and systemic changes that improve learning outcomes for girls, boys, and children with disabilities in the early grades. This is achieved by facilitating, testing, and monitoring innovative solutions to address priority challenges, including student access and retention and teacher skill development at the elementary level.

Expected End-of-Investment Outcomes (EOIO):

1. Increased Access and Retention – More children (girls, boys, and children with disabilities) enrol and stay in school in selected provinces using sustainable, replicable approaches.
2. Improved Teaching and Learning – Targeted provinces adopt sustainable and scalable methods to enhance early-grade teaching and learning quality.
3. Systemic Change – Evidence of education sector improvements that enhance early-grade education delivery.

Learning Enhancement and Access Program

With support from PIE, the LEAP aims to improve learning outcomes of preparatory to grade 2 students in Project-Targeted Provinces. LEAP consists of four core components:

1. Early Learning Readiness – Strengthening Early Childhood Education (ECE) to better prepare children for primary school.
2. Teacher Capacity Development – Equipping teachers with the skills and resources needed to teach effectively.
3. Infrastructure & Education Management – Modernizing school infrastructure and strengthening sector governance.
4. Project Management & Evaluation – Ensuring effective implementation, monitoring, and capacity-building.

This initiative aims to create lasting improvements in early-grade education, ensuring a stronger foundation for learning for PNG’s children.

The target LEAP provinces are Eastern Highlands, Simbu, Morobe, Madang, Milne Bay, East New Britain, New Ireland, and National Capital District.

To support project preparation and implementation readiness, a Project Preparation Grant (PPG), alongside PIE funding for two STAs (this position and the Procurement Specialist), will support key activities for LEAP (World Bank project reference: P505529) and is expected to run from 2026 through 2031.

Project Manager Recruitment

To assist in the preparation and implementation of LEAP, the NDoE requires a qualified and experienced Project Manager to join the PMU.

• The initial contract will be up to 12 months, funded through PIE.
• Subject to satisfactory performance and formal project approval, the contract may be extended under LEAP. 
• LEAP will be implemented by NDoE in collaboration with Provincial Divisions of Education (PDoE) over five years, beginning in 2026.

About the Opportunity

A PMU will be established within NDoE (Port Moresby) in 2026 to support implementation of LEAP (hereafter, the Project’) by the NDoE, and ensure that the World Bank’s fiduciary, safeguards and reporting requirements, including monitoring and evaluation, are met throughout the implementation period. 

Key contracted staff will include a qualified Project Manager, Procurement Specialist, Financial Management Specialist, Communications Specialist, and Safeguards Specialist.   

The Project Manager will function as PMU team leader under the guidance of the Project Director (NDoE Secretary or his/her designee). 

The PMU’s primary function is to assist the NDoE in ensuring satisfactory implementation of the Project, including coordination with other key stakeholders. The primary functions of the PMU would be to:

1. Assist the NDoE in ensuring satisfactory planning for/and implementation of the Project;

2. Keep the Project Operations Manual updated as necessary, including obtaining ‘no objection’ from the World Bank prior to dissemination;

3. Serve as one of the Project’s key contact points (NDoE Secretary, Deputy and First Assistant Secretaries) for the World Bank;

4. Have overall responsibility for the Project implementation and ensuring compliance with World Bank Project requirements, including for all aspects of procurement, safeguard requirements, financial management, auditing, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting;

5. Coordinate with target provinces to promote effective communication and ensure that relevant Project documents are submitted in a timely manner;

6. Negotiate contracts for supply of goods, and services, for signing by NDoE;

7. Progress reporting requirements for the Project in a timely manner. These requirements may include, but are not limited to: Financial Reports, Audit Reports, Annual Work Plan and Budget, semi-annual Progress Reports, overseeing the updating of the Procurement Plan, ensuring the maintenance of Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP), and submission of required documents for annual audits; 

8. Oversee the preparation of Withdrawal Applications to the World Bank in a timely manner to ensure prompt payment for goods and services;

9. Assist the NDoE to meet the Project’s end targets as outlined in the Results Framework; and

10. Make periodic visits to Project areas and prepare back to office reports on Project implementation. 

The Project Manager will provide core technical and managerial support for the Project’s implementation and will be responsible for advising and regular reporting on all Project matters, progress and results. 

The Project Manager will also be primarily responsible for the PMU’s day-to-day administration and coordination of all Project-related activities as well as coordination of the inputs from other development partners as relevant. 

The Project Manager will be directly accountable to the Project Director, Secretary for NDoE, and will be accountable for the quality of advice provided and the standard of reporting. They are expected to ensure effective and efficient coordination of all project components and support smooth implementation of activities, aligned with a national, provincial, and district-level response in targeted areas, in collaboration with other partners

Key responsibilities 

• Oversee and manage the PMU’s day-to-day planning and operations, and coordinate the activities of its staff;

• Ensure implementation compliance with the provisions of Project legal agreement(s);

• Provide advice and assistance to the Project Director and to target provinces to ensure compliance with the World Bank safeguard policy document for the Project: the Code of Environmental Practice;

• Assist the relevant Deputy Secretary to identify resources (human and financial) to strengthen overall Project implementation;

• Assist the NDoE and the relevant Deputy Secretary to develop appropriate capacity for units in NDoE;

• Support capacity building of key NDoE staff;

• Gather information and data, and report on, the performance indicators for the Project;

• Regular monitoring and evaluation of all Project inputs and outputs;

• Produce semi-annual Project progress reports (to include updated results framework, inputs from implementing and executing agencies and other Project stakeholders as relevant to the Project support) in advance of the semi-annual implementation reviews;

• Maintain official records of all Project-related activities and Prepare any Project related documents;

• Facilitate the preparation and public release of Project information in accordance with PNG Government and World Bank Public Communications Policies;

• Design all Project related documents and templates;

• Prepare and oversee implementation of the annual Project work plans and budget, which will form a part of the regular NDoE annual work plan and budget;

• Critically review all formal Project outputs throughout their preparation, including the deliverables of consultants and contractors, in draft form to ensure they align with required quality standards and timeliness, and obtain NDoE clearance for their submission or release as appropriate when complete;

• Provide advice to the Project Director and other Project stakeholders on relevant PNG Government and World Bank requirements, and reconcile any differences promptly and efficiently;

• Supervise the preparation of Project accounts;

• Arrange the quarterly review and annual audit of accounts;

• Prepare documents to meet the timing specified in the Finance Agreement, including, but not limited to: financial reports, progress reports, mid-term review report, and implementation completion report;

• If necessary, assist NDoE to develop and formulate terms of reference for the recruitment of consultants (individuals and/or firms) for Project related assignments and coordinate technical inputs to procurement documents for activities funded by the Project;

• Oversee the management of all consultants employed by the Project to ensure full adherence to contract conditions; 

• Organise and facilitate World Bank implementation review visits (including the mid-term review) including arranging meetings and site visits;

• Liaise with World Bank and other relevant stakeholders in relation to the formulation of review missions;

• In consultation with PDoEs, identify Teacher Training Colleges in target locations, support with readiness scoping for the Diploma in Teaching Primary (In-Service) (DIPT), and provide capacity building support as required to deliver on Project targets.

• Perform other duties, as requested/required by the Project Manager.

Specific Deliverables

• Provide and maintain strategic engagement, networking and collaboration with key stakeholders.

• Ensuring that World Bank processes and procedures are complied with in all activities.

• Ensure the utilisation and management of Project funds comply with the Financing Agreement.

• Ensure required data is collected for tracking Project progress.

• Ensure adherence to the Project monitoring and reporting timeline. 

• Prepare and compile periodic semi-annual and annual reports on Project activities.

• Prepare proposed annual workplan for the following year with budget and procurement plan.

• Ensure safeguards compliance and monitoring for the Project.

Identify Teacher Training Colleges in target locations, and assess gaps and opportunities on institutional readiness, to provide strategic recommendations supporting DIPT delivery. Once identified, provide capacity building support as required to deliver on Project targets

Key working relationships

• NDoE: Project Director (Secretary), relevant Deputy Secretaries, relevant First Assistant Secretaries.

• LEAP Steering Committee 

• LEAP Technical Working Group

• Target Provincial Administrations, specifically PDoEs 

• Local Education Group

• LEAP Project Management Unit and Provincial Project Offices

• Education and Leadership Team, Australian High Commission Port Moresby

• PIE Team Leader

• The World Bank 

About You 

For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided. 

      Mandatory

1. Post-graduate qualification in Business Administration, Public Policy, Project Management, Urban/Regional Planning, Economics, Sociology, or related fields such as public management, governance, or project management.

2. 10+ years in project management, with 5+ years in a senior leadership role, covering areas such as strategic planning, M&E, policy formulation, social research, quality assurance, data management, or organizational development.

     Desirable Criteria:

      Candidates that meet the following criteria will be considered favourably:

1. Senior experience in government, particularly with social protection programs and large-scale, donor-funded projects in Papua New Guinea or the Asia-Pacific region.

2. Proven ability to manage multiple contracts and consultants, prioritize demands, and ensure timely project execution.

3. In-depth knowledge of social welfare and development issues in Papua New Guinea, including policy challenges in the sector.

4. Strong decision-making, leadership, and proactive problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complex environments and provide strategic advice.

5. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with experience in stakeholder engagement and developing strategic documents.

6. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, planning/monitoring software, and experienced in contract management, financial accountability, and regulatory compliance.

Bonus:

1. Experience working on World Bank-funded projects is a strong advantage

How to Apply

Please submit your application online; attach your cover letter and CV as a single document, addressing how you meet the key selection criteria of this role.  The maximum length for the combined document (cover letter and CV is 5 pages).

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

Closing Date: Sunday, 10 May 2026 (5:00 Pm, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT