Location: Daru Island (Hybrid – Port Moresby / Western Province), Papua New Guinea
Commencement: Late September/Early October 2026. Short-term role up to February 2027, with possibility of further work. Hybrid: Port Moresby / Western Province, Papua New Guinea / some remote work. Open to all applicants.
About the Program: The Australia–Papua New Guinea Subnational Program (APSP) includes an enabling Facility and four program activities: Western Province Partnership, Kokoda Initiative Partnership, Subnational Governance Implementation Plan, and Bougainville Partnership. The APSP Facility provides shared services across all activities, including HR, finance and administration, safety and security, procurement and infrastructure, grants, fleet and transport, ICT, legal/contracts, GEDSI and safeguarding, communications, and MEL. Abt Associates manages APSP under a single contract through to 2030.
About the Opportunity: The Western Province Partnership (WPP) supports Australia and Western Province to foster stronger ties and better coordination to improve human and economic development, enabling infrastructure and regional security. WPP is delivered through components covering WASH, community grants, an Economic Initiatives Program, Gender Empowerment and Advocacy, a Ranger program, provincial capacity development and disability support services. WPP operates primarily from Daru, with a satellite office in Morehead, delivering across remote locations in Western Province, mostly South Fly District — a challenging operating environment with complex logistics.
Key responsibilities: Reporting to the SGIP Team Leader and working closely with the WPP Team Leader and Deputy Team Leader, the Specialist will review WPP WASH documentation, activity plans, evaluation findings and monitoring data; prepare a consultation plan; facilitate consultations with DFAT/Australian High Commission sector teams, the managing contractor, implementing partners and Government of PNG and Western Province counterparts; analyse lessons from recent WASH implementation; identify core service areas for the 2027–2030 WASH grant opportunity (water supply, sanitation, hygiene behaviour change, O&M, WASH governance, disaster preparedness, monitoring and adaptive management); advise on sustainability of water services, climate and disaster resilience, and integration of GEDSI, safeguarding and Do No Harm; translate findings into a scope of works and statement of requirements suitable for open tender; define expected provider capabilities with the Abt Grants Team; and prepare concise written outputs including consultation notes, a findings summary, an annotated outline of the grant opportunity guidelines and draft technical content.
Key deliverables: document review note, consultation plan, summary of key findings, annotated outline for the WASH grant opportunity guidelines, draft technical content for the 2027–2030 WASH grant opportunity, and a final set of testable service requirements.
About You: Relevant tertiary qualifications in development, social science, economics, public health management, civil or environmental engineering or related fields (or equivalent applied experience). Excellent understanding of WASH institutional issues, particularly in Papua New Guinea or the Pacific; familiarity with political economy and gender analysis; understanding of GoPNG WASH Policy and PNG subnational levels of government; understanding of GoPNG/DFAT public diplomacy requirements. Demonstrated experience implementing WASH initiatives across health, livelihoods, gender and agricultural development in large, complex, politically sensitive environments in PNG; high-level qualitative and quantitative analytical skills; familiarity with 'Doing Development Differently' / 'Thinking and Working Politically'; strong interpersonal, cross-cultural and written communication skills; demonstrated ability to promote gender equity and social inclusion; familiarity with donor performance, quality and reporting requirements. Applications from experienced and capable women and people with disabilities are encouraged.
Closing date: 2026-09-13
HOW TO APPLY:
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 via the Abt Global careers portal (Apply Now). 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. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Closing Date: Sunday, 13 September 2026 (Midday, local time).
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