Program Director – Strongim Wok Long TVET

• Fixed term contract up to November 2029
• Based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

About Palladium

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social, climate and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to help 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, the environment, and, most importantly, people's lives.

About PNG-Australia Strongim Wok Long TVET (SWLT)

PNG–Australia Strongim Wok Long Technical and Vocational Education and Training (SWLT) is a four-year, AUD 80 million investment by the Australian Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), to support Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) efforts to strengthen its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (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 focuses on supporting the Government of PNG to strengthen the national TVET system to promote quality TVET; supporting technical colleges to deliver high-quality TVET training; enhancing the diversity and employability of TVET graduates; and elevating Australia’s visible and trusted development partnership with PNG in the TVET sector.

SWLT is the primary mechanism to support PNG and Australia to deliver on commitments made under the revised Joint Statement of Intent on TVET signed at the 2024 Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum. It also aligns with PNG’s Higher and Technical Education Reform Act 2020, as well as broader goals articulated in the Australia–PNG Development Partnership Plan 2024–2029, including locally led development, education investment, and inclusive growth.

This Opportunity

The SWLT Program Director leads the delivery of all aspects of the program, including strategic oversight of program objectives and team activities and delivery.

This role involves ensuring SWLT is agile and responsive to the PNG Government’s higher education reform priorities, fosters locally driven innovation, and delivers high-quality, cost-effective development outcomes in accordance with the DFAT Head Contract.

The Program Director will also support DFAT in its engagement in the TVET sector, including with key PNG Government partners and stakeholders.

The primary responsibilities of the Program Director can be broadly described as follows:

Program Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership and advice to ensure SWLT delivers on the shared policy objectives of the Government of Australia and the Government of PNG, including as outlined in the Joint Statement of Intent on TVET, Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership, PNG’s Medium Term Development Plan IV and PNG’s National Higher and Technical Education Plan 2021-2030.
• Lead and be accountable for the delivery of all aspects of the program, including the achievement of end of program outcomes and intermediate outcomes, operational oversight and engagement with program partners.
• Lead on deliverable outputs, including ensuring high-quality strategies, plans, reports and analyses are developed and delivered on-time and in accordance with DFAT standards and expectations.
• Maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including DFAT, Government of PNG, industry and other development partners / TVET investments.
• Develop and maintain a good understanding of the political economy and dynamics of the TVET sector and provide timely and relevant advice to inform DFAT’s engagement in the sector.
• Support coordination across Australian Government funded TVET investments, including with the Improved TVET for Employment Project and Pacific Australia Skills.
• Lead by the six SWLT principles that build and support locally owned improvements in the TVET sector in all aspects of program implementation and operating culture, including: i) promoting locally driven approaches; ii) fostering flexible, iterative, adaptive and evidence based approaches; iii) ensuring the program is responsive and outcomes focussed; iv) promoting social inclusion; v) ensuring decisions are politically informed; and vi) promoting partnerships and visibility.
• Oversee robust operational compliance mechanisms, ensuring adherence to all relevant policies, processes, and legislations to maintain the program’s integrity and operational excellence. This includes financial management, procurement, and fraud control.
• Work with DFAT to strengthen coordination in the TVET sector, enhance program delivery, shape ways of working, propose amendments, evaluate contract performance and address any other matters that arise in line with achieving the end of program outcomes.
• Oversee risk management strategies, ensuring the identification, assessment and mitigation of risks and issues to safeguard the program’s activities, performance, personnel and reputation.
• Travel within PNG and internationally, as required.

Managing and Leading People

• Lead and guide SWLT staff in a culture of learning and performance that promotes teamwork, collaboration, growth and a style of working that is congruent with problem-solving and adaptability.
• Provide leadership to direct and indirect reports; creating an environment that will drive continuous learning and growth to achieve employee satisfaction and retention.
• Motivate and foster a positive culture among staff, both formally and informally, investing time in their success and ensuring messages from DFAT and Palladium leadership are supported and clearly cascaded.
• Demonstrate accessible language and communication and adapt leadership styles for different audiences to ensure messages are communicated effectively.
• Support the engagement of personnel and subcontractors in line with an inclusive and diverse approach, focusing on drawing on capabilities within PNG and/or the region.

Development Priorities and Integrity

• Support and uphold a commitment to environmental sustainability, such as reducing resource use and promoting climate-friendly practices.
• Role model, advocate for and comply with SWLT’s gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) objectives and DFAT’s policies in all aspects of implementation.
• Operate with high levels of integrity, consistent with the intent of DFAT’s Ethics, Integrity and Professional Standards Policy Manual.
• Adhere to DFAT and Palladium safeguarding standards and policies and commit to prevent harm, and to promoting safe, inclusive environments, including reporting concerns appropriately.

About you

You will have:

• Significant relevant work experience, preferably managing large, complex development programs, including planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Significant experience successfully managing large government-funded budgets; and highly developed financial and commercial acumen.
• Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining strong collaborative relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders both internally and externally, including donors, government agencies and senior officials, and local communities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively develop and write reports and undertake presentations for diverse audiences, including DFAT, partner organisations and the broader development community.
• Ability to rapidly analyse program risks and challenges, assess performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Understand compliance requirements and risk management practices to ensure programs meet DFAT’s standards and mitigate potential risks.
• Strong leadership, coaching and mentoring skills, and prior experience leading effective teams.
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of locally-led, socially inclusive, politically informed and adaptive programming.

To Apply

Please submit your application online at https://thepalladiumgroup.com/careers , including your CV and detailed cover letter, outlining your suitability and experience in line with the requirements of the position.

Closing date: Close of business Friday 20 February 2026. Candidates may be interviewed on a rolling basis.

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 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 [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.