• Fixed term contract up to 30 June 2028 (with possible 2 year extension)
• Based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
• Open to PNG national candidates only

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 2,000 employees operating in 75-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, and, most importantly, people's lives.

About PNG-Australia Strongim Wok Long TVET (SWLT)

The PNG–Australia Strongim Wok Long Technical and Vocational Education and Training (SWLT) program is a four-year, AUD 80 million investment by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to support Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) efforts to strengthen its TVET sector. Aligned with PNG’s national priority to build an educated and skilled workforce for resilient economic growth, SWLT aims to enhance the quality, relevance, and inclusiveness of skills development. The program supports improvements in national quality assurance systems, technical college standards, graduate employability, and Australia’s visible and trusted development partnership with PNG.
The program aligns with the broader goals of the Australia–PNG Development Partnership Plan 2024–2029, which emphasizes locally led development, education investment, and inclusive growth, as well as PNG’s Higher and Technical Education Reform Act 2020002E.

Purpose of Position

The Communications and Public Diplomacy Manager is responsible for the delivery of SWLT’s communications and public diplomacy activities, helping to showcase SWLT in an engaging way, to raise awareness of Australia’s support for PNG’s TVET sector, and to draw public attention to TVET education as a successful pathway to in demand careers.

Primary Responsibilities

The Communications and Public Diplomacy Manager will be required to manage the implementation of the Public Diplomacy Strategy and workplan, coordinate stakeholder engagement, and contribute to content development and reporting:

• Work with the Public Diplomacy Specialist in the initial development of SWLT Communications and Public Diplomacy Strategy and associated Public Diplomacy workplan (DFAT deliverable), ensuring alignment to PNG-Australia Partnership key messages and branding
• Actively contribute to on-going management, delivery and updating of strategy and workplan documents to keep them relevant, impactful and effective
• Build collaborative relationships with team members, drawing on technical advice and individual experience and expertise.
• Work with the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) public diplomacy unit and other key public diplomacy stakeholders to leverage and extend reach
• Assist in developing locally relevant communications materials, including social media content, newsletters, and case studies, working with the SWLT MEL team to capture content for public diplomacy efforts
• Support the planning, tracking and management of communications and public diplomacy budgets, including supplier costs and event expenditures with support from Operations and Finance
• Lead communications and public diplomacy reporting, including tracking performance, contributing to MEL inputs, and preparing regular updates on workplan delivery and results.
• Managing aspects of program photography and videography, including permissions, editing, storing and publishing
• Seek to develop new and innovative ways of developing and delivering content with key messaging sought through direct student engagement
• Utilise digital analytics and survey mythologies to measure impact of messaging
• Manage the media relations and monitoring for SWLT, including developing a media contact list, creating media releases and op-eds, acting as Media Liaison as authorised, keeping track of media coverage and public engagement, and contributing to MEL reporting on reach and effectiveness
• Coordinate logistics and planning for public diplomacy events, campaigns, and stakeholder engagements, including supporting terms of references for events and developing budgets
• Collaborate with technical teams to ensure communications reflect SWLT principles and program objectives
• Provide strategic advice and support in the recruitment of the Public Diplomacy Coordinator, and provide leadership and coaching to this role on an ongoing basis
• Understand and contribute to SWLT gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) objectives as relevant to this role and participate in GEDSI learning and engagement as required
• Adhere to DFAT and Palladium safeguarding standards and policies and commit to prevent harm, and commit to promoting safe, inclusive environments, including reporting concerns appropriately
• Model, contribute to and support an office culture of learning and performance with colleagues, junior staff and counterparts
• This role supports and upholds the organisation’s commitment to environmental sustainability, such as reducing resource use and promoting climate-friendly practices
• Contribute to the development and implementation of solutions that deliver value and ensure SWLT principles are embedded within program delivery.

Reporting Requirements

This role reports to the Deputy Director – Development Priorities and will have approximately one (1) direct report.

Reporting requirements may include but are not limited to:

• Supporting inputs to the SWLT MEL Framework and Plan
• Other project reporting as required.

Minimum Experience Required

The candidate needs to demonstrate proven experience in the following areas:

• Delivering effective communications and marketing campaigns, with past experience in private sector or with donor funded programs
• Strong writing, editing and storytelling skills
• Ability to use of a range of communications and public diplomacy modalities and the hardware and software needed in their creation including:

- Social media platforms and content
- Videography
- Photography
- Visual graphics – charts, animations, infographics
- Newspaper and TV news ready content

• Events planning and coordination
• An understanding of the political and cultural context in PNG with the ability to work respectfully with partner government counterparts
• Proven ability to work with MEL frameworks or communication monitoring tools
• Experience coaching and mentoring junior colleagues and providing positive and constructive support that enables them to learn and grow
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously while contributing effectively within a team
• Experience and/or knowledge of the TVET or higher education sector in PNG would be advantageous
• Participation and positive engagement in diverse teams, supporting a results-driven culture of learning and inclusion.
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of locally-led, socially inclusive, politically informed and adaptive programming.

To Apply

Please submit your application online, including your CV and brief cover letter, outlining your suitability in line with the requirements of the position via https://palladium.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/2/home/requisition/25090?c=palladium&referralToken=_WbZuulmjEWkhAkMjzcBPg

Closing date: Wednesday 06th May 2026, 11.59pm AEST

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 welcome 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 to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at [email protected] and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.