Engagement Manager – Papua New Guinea

Project Overview:

The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme is a signature initiative for the Australian Government that enables workers from 9 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and Timor- Leste to work in priority sectors in Australia. The Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program’s (PLMSP) role is to provide the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and governments in 9 PICs and Timor-Leste with support to enable workers to access PALM scheme in inclusive ways that maximise the benefits for the workers and national economies while minimising risks from labour mobility participation. Palladium is contracted to deliver PLMSP on behalf of DFAT.

This Opportunity

The Labour Mobility Engagement Manager (EM) will be responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships and partnerships with diverse stakeholders in Papua New Guinea’s labour mobility system. The EM will work closely to support the Labour Mobility Unit’s (LMU) Director and senior leadership team to coordinate with stakeholders to strengthen and grow labour mobility’s contribution to PNG’s national economic objectives. The EM will be embedded in the LMU as a senior advisor with the capacity to drive politically informed and locally-led approaches. The EM will ensure alignment with DFAT’s other bilateral investments and bilateral Development Partnership Plans (DPPs). The EM will also provide strategic leadership and mentorship to in-country PLMSP and LMU staff.

This is a fixed term opportunity required to September 2028 and will be based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

The successful candidate must hold or be eligible to obtain a valid PNG visa.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The Labour Mobility Engageme nt Manager will be responsible for:

• Strategic Leadership: Lead implementation of PNG PLMSP strategies and plans, in partnership with the Government of PNG and in alignment with DFAT and other stakeholders. Provide political and program advice on labour mobility.
  Knowledge Leadership: Maintain up-to-date understanding of PNG’s labour mobility context to inform strategic advice and support.
• Stakeholder Engagement: support the LMU to coordinate with domestic, regional, and international partners to align efforts and achieve labour mobility goals. Conduct stakeholder analysis to enhance collaboration. Foster a strong and collaborative working relationship with the Director to ensure strategic alignment and effective implementation.
• Policy & Ecosystem Support: Work with LMU leadership to strengthen labour mobility policies and systems, engaging with government, private sector, NGOs, and regional bodies.
• Leadership Support: Advise and support the LMU Director and senior leaders on achieving PNG-Australia labour mobility priorities.
• Program Development: Drive development and delivery of politically informed, locally-led strategies and activity plans aligned with bilateral priorities and the PNG country strategy.
• Risk & Compliance: Identify and manage risks, maintain a risk register, oversee reporting, budget, and ensure compliance with PLMSP policies.
• Staff Management: Lead and mentor in-country PLMSP staff, fostering alignment with strategic objectives and building team capacity.

Required Qualifications:

Successful candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education.
• Minimum 7 years work experience in similar project support or management roles.
• Strong working knowledge of the Government of PNG, civil service, private sector and/or development environment.
• Established conceptual, analytical and Thinking and Working Politically skills including the ability to identify emerging issues, and expertise to resolve operational issues and manage innovative solutions to complex problems in an adaptive manner.
• Experience building and leading diverse teams including program and specialised technical staff, with the ability to motivate, mentor and manage staff.
• A demonstrated ability to build respectful, productive and sustainable working relationships with a variety of stakeholders (including partner government, civil society and the private sector) and working together to achieve results.
• Excellent communication and analytical skills in written and oral English, including report writing.
• Proven ability to establish priorities, organise and manage staff performance, achieve outcomes and to meet tight deadlines within a complex operating environment.

We are committed to building a diverse, geographically dispersed workforce to maximize our support. We encourage applications from candidates from Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste, and across Australia. You must have valid Australian or country specific work rights to be considered for this position – visa sponsorship is not available.

We strongly encourage people with disability to apply. Disclosing about your disability will not negatively affect your application. Please tell us as much as you feel comfortable for us to work with you about the appropriate adjustments that you might need. If you would like further information or assistance with this, please contact hr@plmsp.com.au

How to Apply

To apply visit https://thepalladiumgroup.com/careers
Please submit your application online, including your CV and brief cover letter, outlining your suitability in line with the requirement s of the position.
Closing date: Friday 30 May 2025, 11.59pm AEST
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About Palladium
Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 4,000 employees operating in 90-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, and, most importantly, people’s lives.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion – Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively wel come and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.
Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

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How to Apply:

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