Program Manager x2, Agricultural Growth & Livelihoods |APEP
Job Description
The Australia – PNG Economic Partnership (APEP) is a multi-sectoral investment to assist GoPNG to create a stable and more prosperous country. The investment is a key coordination point from which Australia delivers its economic development support to PNG. The Australian Government is committed to delivering the Partnership in accordance with the principles of integration and alignment with PNG’s economic sector policies, systems and processes.
The Partnership’s policy objective is to assist PNG in its efforts to achieve sustained growth, capable of lifting the standard of living of all citizens, while also ensuring Australia maintains its reputation as PNG’s economic partner of choice.
About The Opportunity
The Program Manager leads the identification, design, and management of high-quality agricultural activities and partnerships that advance project objectives in Papua New Guinea. This includes conducting market and industry research, developing project documentation, and managing a diverse portfolio of interventions supporting sustainable agricultural growth and livelihoods. The role maintains strong relationships with government, agribusiness, financial institutions and community partners, while ensuring GEDSI, WEE, climate and inclusion principles are embedded in all activities. It also supports essential project administration—procurement, budgeting, contract management, M&E, reporting, and knowledge-sharing—to ensure efficient and compliant delivery.
Key responsibilities
Project Management
For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided.
Closing Date: Friday, 5 December 2025 (Middy, local time)
- Start Date: January 2026
- Full-time, locally engaged staff
- Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
- Open to Papua New Guinean citizens only
- Two positions available
The Australia – PNG Economic Partnership (APEP) is a multi-sectoral investment to assist GoPNG to create a stable and more prosperous country. The investment is a key coordination point from which Australia delivers its economic development support to PNG. The Australian Government is committed to delivering the Partnership in accordance with the principles of integration and alignment with PNG’s economic sector policies, systems and processes.
The Partnership’s policy objective is to assist PNG in its efforts to achieve sustained growth, capable of lifting the standard of living of all citizens, while also ensuring Australia maintains its reputation as PNG’s economic partner of choice.
About The Opportunity
The Program Manager leads the identification, design, and management of high-quality agricultural activities and partnerships that advance project objectives in Papua New Guinea. This includes conducting market and industry research, developing project documentation, and managing a diverse portfolio of interventions supporting sustainable agricultural growth and livelihoods. The role maintains strong relationships with government, agribusiness, financial institutions and community partners, while ensuring GEDSI, WEE, climate and inclusion principles are embedded in all activities. It also supports essential project administration—procurement, budgeting, contract management, M&E, reporting, and knowledge-sharing—to ensure efficient and compliant delivery.
Key responsibilities
Project Management
- Develop and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with Government of Papua New Guinea counterparts, agribusinesses, civil society organisations, international partners, financial institutions and community stakeholders.
- Design, lead and/or conduct high-quality industry and market research, analyses and assessments related to agricultural products, value chains and markets.
- Identify opportunities for strategic engagement and intervention across the agricultural sector through ongoing research, stakeholder consultations, field visits, and liaison with colleagues and partners.
- Lead or contribute to the preparation of well-researched and technically sound Screening Notes and Proposed Activity Designs (PADs), ensuring clarity on implementation approaches, monitoring, evaluation and learning processes.
- Develop and manage a pipeline and portfolio of high-impact activities and partnerships aligned with project objectives and workstream strategies. Activities may include food security, livelihoods, agricultural production, extension and training, post-harvest handling, processing, logistics, technology adoption, enterprise development, marketing, access to finance, workforce development, standards and certification, trade facilitation and business environment reform.
- Ensure all activities appropriately integrate GEDSI, women’s economic empowerment, climate change mitigation and adaptation considerations.
- Contribute to the establishment, maintenance and continuous improvement of management systems required for high-quality activity delivery.
- Undertake administrative responsibilities associated with the activity portfolio, including contract management, budget and expenditure tracking, procurement processes, monitoring and deliverables tracking, risk identification, escalation and reporting.
- Support the Monitoring and Evaluation team to design, review and update program logic models, M&E plans, field surveys and related tools.
- Prepare high-quality reports, presentations, briefs and communication products for internal and external audiences.
- Contribute to cross-program learning by sharing insights, lessons and good practices across teams and workstreams.
- Any additional responsibilities reasonably requested by the Team Leader.
For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided.
- Bachelor degree in business, economics, agriculture, development studies or a related field.
- Minimum 5 years’ experience across at least two of the following: 1) project management or administration, agriculture, 2) food systems or livelihoods, business development, management or entrepreneurship, 3) education, training or workforce development, 4) communications or multimedia production, 5) digital marketing or social media management
- Strong intellectual curiosity, with the ability to inquire deeply into complex issues, emerging trends and new opportunities.
- Demonstrated strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyse information from multiple perspectives and challenge assumptions.
- Proven research skills, including designing and conducting assessments, analysing evidence and generating actionable insights.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise, manage deadlines and work independently under pressure.
- Attention to detail and accuracy in documentation and reporting.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, concise and engaging materials.
- Strong competency in ICT, including Microsoft Office, communications and multimedia tools, information management systems and digital collaboration platforms.
- Fluency in English (written and spoken).
- Willingness to travel extensively within Papua New Guinea for partner engagement, research and monitoring.
- Please ensure to address the Key Selection Criteria (About You) in your cover letter, and submit your application online, along with your CV as a single document.
- Applications must be submitted personally by individuals only. Applications submitted by a company or organisation will not be accepted.
- The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt.
- The successful application will be asked to provide a Police Clearance Certificate valid within the last 6-months as this is a prerequisite for the role.
Closing Date: Friday, 5 December 2025 (Middy, local time)