Position Vacancy – Head of Program Quality

Location: Port Moresby
Contract Type: 24 months, with possibility of extension
Time Fraction: Full-time (40 hours per week)

About Burnet Institute

Burnet Institute is a leading Australian medical research and public health organisation working to create better health for vulnerable communities in Australia and internationally. With nearly 20 years of presence in Papua New Guinea, Burnet delivers research, technical assistance, innovative programs, and capacity building across key health areas such as infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and health systems strengthening. We operate across three main locations in PNG—Port Moresby, Kokopo, and Western Province—with a dedicated team of more than 140 staff.

About the Role

Burnet Institute PNG is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Head of Program Quality to provide strategic leadership in program design, monitoring, evaluation, learning, and overall program excellence across the PNG Country Program.

This senior position plays a central role in ensuring that all Burnet PNG programs are grounded in evidence, aligned with our Country Strategy, and meet the highest standards of quality, accountability, safeguarding, and donor compliance. You will drive the development and implementation of program quality standards, strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems, foster cross-program learning, and champion continuous improvement.

The role works closely with senior leadership, project managers, working group leads, and the International Program Quality Team based in Melbourne. It also requires strong collaboration with government partners, donors, and technical stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of the PNG Program Quality Framework.

• Embed quality, accountability, learning, and adaptive management across all programs.

• Provide strategic oversight of monitoring & evaluation, research uptake, learning, and quality assurance systems.

• Develop and roll out program quality assurance benchmarks and performance indicators.

• Strengthen cross-cutting themes including GEDSI, Child Protection, PSEAH, and environmental safeguarding.

• Drive reflective practice, evidence generation, and innovation across projects.

• Ensure high-quality technical input into program design, proposals, and donor submissions.

• Support capacity building of project teams, including M&E, program quality approaches, and best practices.

• Contribute to donor engagement, trends analysis, and development of new business opportunities.

• Mentor and support project teams to ensure strong program quality culture and compliance.

About You

You are an experienced program quality leader with a passion for strengthening systems, improving impact, and building team capacity. You thrive in dynamic environments and bring strong analytical, strategic thinking, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• University qualification and/or relevant experience in international development, public health, or program management.

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in program quality management, preferably with international NGOs.

• Extensive experience working with international donors such as DFAT and the EU.

• Demonstrated expertise in program design, M&E systems, reporting, budgeting, and quality assurance.

• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.

• Experience working with government partners and cross-cultural teams, ideally in PNG.

• Ability to work independently, flexibly, and with a high degree of initiative.

Desirable

• Experience with DFAT Accreditation processes.

• Background in quality improvement, innovation, and business development.

• Experience using M&E databases and frameworks within health programs.

Other Requirements

Burnet is a child-safe organisation. The successful candidate will undergo a Police Check and may be required to complete a Working with Children Check. The role may involve indirect contact with children.

Why Burnet?

• Work with a respected international health organisation.

• Lead a critical function that directly shapes program quality and impact.

• Engage in meaningful partnerships that strengthen health outcomes across PNG.

• Join a collaborative team committed to innovation, evidence, and continuous improvement.

How to Apply

Please submit your application including:

• A cover letter addressing the key selection criteria

• Your CV

• Contact details of two professional referees

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Applications can be submitted by email to [email protected].