Efficient & Inclusive Markets Unit Team Leader

         Commencement: October 2025  

• Based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
• Duration: Long Term Role
• Open to all applicants

About the Program:

The Australia Papua New Guinea Economic Partnership (APEP) known as “The Partnership” is a multi-sectoral investment to assist the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) to create a stable and more prosperous country. The investment is the main vehicle and coordination point from which Australia delivers its economic development aid to PNG and is the primary vehicle to implement the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership. 

The Partnership will contribute to the achievement of a resilient and diversified economy that provides a high quality of life for all Papua New Guineans. 

The overarching policy objective is to assist PNG in its efforts to achieve sustained growth, capable of lifting the standard of living of all citizens. 

APEP has five End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs) to be achieved by 2028:

• EOPO 1 - Safeguarding Macroeconomic Stability
• EOPO 2 - Strengthening Public Financial Management for Improved Service Delivery and Inclusive Growth
• EOPO 3 - Supporting More Efficient and Inclusive Markets
• EOPO 4 - Fostering Inclusive Growth and Expanded Livelihoods
• EOPO 5 - Catalysing Economic Research and Dialogue.

About the Opportunity

The Efficient & Inclusive Markets Unit Team Leader will report directly to the Director, APEP. They will lead and manage the development and implementation of a portfolio of projects focused on establishing a better business enabling environment and increasing economic diversity for more inclusive economic growth. 

The Team Leader will ensure that projects are implemented in accordance with annual work plans, milestone deliverables and international development standards, and will leverage opportunities for collaborative programming with other Australian Government aid programs and the private sector. 

The role leads the Efficient & Inclusive Markets programming team, overseeing staff performance and program delivery. Success in this role depends on close and continuous collaboration with all APEP program areas and teams, with a particular focus on the Inclusive Growth and Livelihoods and cross-cutting technical teams.  This is critical to ensure strategic alignment within programming and to maximize impact.

Key responsibilities: 

Under the guidance of the APEP Director, the Efficient and Inclusive Markets Team Leader is responsible for providing strategic oversight and advice across EOPO 3 while managing the day-to-day operations of a team of program managers and technical advisers to deliver the annual work plan.

Technical Delivery: 

• Provide strategic and technical oversight of the planning, scheduling, design, commissioning and implementation of the APEP annual work plan, Performance Assessment Framework (PAF) and associated projects.
• Support the Partnership to improve coordination across all partnership programs and activities, to leverage opportunities and maximize impact.
• Contribute to quality assurance processes to ensure that Partnership initiatives meet quality standards, align with the strategic direction of the Partnership and are appropriately costed.
• Conduct a rapid analysis of existing activities to identify gaps in programming and potential opportunities for investment.
• Establish a comprehensive and cohesive portfolio of activities to improve the business enabling environment of PNG and secure a diversified economy, underpinned by relevant financial products and services, and a strengthened Small and Medium Enterprises sector.

Management:

• Lead an effective and high performing team by: 
  • articulating a strong vision for the team and aligning their work and behavior with that of the strategic priorities of APEP and Abt Global
  • enforcing high standards in terms of work outcomes and behaviors 
  • developing individuals’ capacity through ongoing guidance, mentoring and coaching; and 
  • promoting team behaviors of integrity, trust and respect in accordance with company values.
• Develop and maintain key stakeholder relationships through varied engagement and coordination efforts that target the private sector, civil society, and Government partners, including the Australian High Commission (AHC) and the Government of PNG.
• Actively manage contractors and delivery partners through effective relationship management, monitoring contract progress and performance, submission of milestone deliverables and coordination of invoices for payment. 
• Monitor risks and identify and implement mitigating actions, as necessary.
• Develop and manage accurate program budgets and forecasts, ensuring deliverables can be achieved with the available resources and in compliance with DFAT Value for Money principles.
• Oversee the inputs of technical advisers working with delivery partners and on the development and implementation of existing activities.
• Coordinate programming inputs into Partnership performance assurance processes.
• Provide verbal and written updates to the Partnership Director detailing progress against the work plan and achievement against deliverables. This includes drafting inputs for annual and 6-monthly APEP progress reports.
• Develop and maintain cross-functional working relationships across the Partnership and Abt Global teams.
• Undertake performance management and professional development of APEP team members.
• Other duties as required by the APEP Director.

Gender Equity, Disability and Social Inclusion:

• Lead the operationalisation of APEP’s Gender Strategy across EOPO 3, ensuring projects actively promote and facilitate women’s economic empowerment, locally led development, climate adaptation and disaster resilience, and economic and social inclusion. 
• Demonstrate a visible and systematic commitment to achieving gender equality in the Program and the achievement of gender equality performance objectives.

Key deliverables

• Successful implementation of the Efficient and Inclusive Markets program.
• Effective and impactful projects are delivered in line with the Partnership PAF and annual work plan.
• Strong working relationships are established and maintained with key stakeholders and program delivery partners.
• Timely and relevant inputs to the Partnership budget, forecast, PAF monitoring, and reporting.
• Projects are effectively managed to ensure timely delivery of milestones and early notifications of any risks affecting progress.
• Programming links are established with other APEP and PNGAusPartnership projects, enhancing value for money outcomes.
• Increased awareness and dialogue on key issues relating to doing business in PNG, including registration, compliance and investment.
• Submission of quality reports and advice, in accordance with Abt Global and DFAT standards.

Key working relationships 

• APEP Director and Senior Management team
• Team Leader, Inclusive Growth and Livelihoods 
• People & Culture, finance, procurement, legal and contracts teams 
• Cross-cutting teams (communications; monitoring, evaluation, research, learning and adaptation; gender equity, disability, and social inclusion)
• Representatives of the Government of PNG
• Representatives of the AHC
• Stakeholders and industry representatives from civil society and the private sector

About You 

For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided. 

• Tertiary qualifications in Business Management, Economics, International Development, Trade & Investment, Social Sciences or related field.
• Over 7 years of Project Management experience, including providing high level strategic planning, technical advisory and stakeholder management services.
• Demonstrated experience in programs that strengthen the business enabling environment, promote inclusive economic participation, and support economic diversification.
• Excellent written reporting and verbal communication skills with demonstrated experience of preparing high quality reports and briefings.
• Deep understanding and knowledge of working in PNG, or in comparable environments

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. 
• 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.

We welcome and thank all applications; however only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Abt Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to upholding high standards of Child Protection, Anti-bribery and Fraud Protection.

We encourage applications from experienced and capable women, and people with disabilities