About the Program
A stable, prosperous, peaceful, and resilient PNG is critical to Australia’s interests. Australia is PNG’s largest development partner, its main partner on economic and security issues.
The Australia PNG Subnational Program (APSP) is an enabling mechanism comprised of three separately
designed programs including: Bougainville Partnership (BP), Kokoda Initiative Partnership (KIP), and the Western Province Partnership (WPP). Each program has its own outcomes, theory of change, operational approach and separate monitoring and evaluation systems.
The APSP also includes the Subnational Governance Implementation Plan (SGIP) that proposes a scalable foundational delivery model of subnational engagement. The SGIP is referenced in the APSP Contract and Strategic Framework as the continuation of the current network of subnational advisers (SNA) in the Western Province, Highlands, Sepik’s and Morobe.
There are five high level outcomes which span all programs:
Managed by Abt Global under a single contract from 2022 to 2026, the centralised approach is aimed to ensure and drive value for money by realising back-office efficiencies, ensure gender is consistently at the forefront of each program and deliver opportunities for learning and adaptation between programs.
The Bougainville Partnership (BP) took on its current form in 2016, inheriting activities from a number of separately administered initiatives. The new program commencing April 2022 is identified as a key element of the new Australian Subnational Strategic Framework for PNG, recently established to bring together a rationale and operational framework for a set of place-based initiatives that reflect geographical priorities based on the mutual interests of Australia and PNG.
For Australia the emergence of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Bougainville is a key national interest; supporting the Government of PNG and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) to implement the Bougainville Peace Agreement is an explicit commitment in the 2017 White Paper. An overriding interest is to maintain the peace that the Agreement brought about and that is enabled by political dialogue, within and outside Bougainville, and economic development. It implies a readiness to engage for the long term, accepting that the development of institutions and diversified economic opportunities will be slow.
The structure of the program remains similar to the Bougainville Partnership’s previous program, but with updated outcomes as follows:
Pillar 1 - Capable Institutions
1. GoPNG and ABG institutions are able to carry out high priority tasks that support Bougainville’s development and the post-referendum dialogue: Supporting defined tasks connected with the development of essential institutions, the draw-down of powers, and Post-Referendum Dialogue.
Pillar 2 - Economic Development
2. ABG and business associations jointly plan and implement initiatives to improve the private sector environment for inclusive economic development: Measures to improve the environment for private sector development and deepen the dialogue between the government and the private sector will be promoted through technical assistance.
3. Women and men engaged in primary production have increased incomes and benefit from inclusive associations and cooperatives: The current agricultural value chain activities will be continued, focussing on improving cocoa quality and linking producers to markets.
Women and men engaged in primary production have increased incomes and benefit from inclusive
associations and cooperatives: The current agricultural value chain activities will be continued, focussing on improving cocoa quality and linking producers to markets. This objective must be complemented with an economic inclusive
policy and strategy that helps the interest of women, youth and people living with disabilities to actively take part and benefit from the economic activities.
Pillar 3 - Stronger Communities
4. Community, youth and women’s groups collaborate effectively to establish sustainable community assets, deliver services and advocate for their target groups: Formerly the peace-building component, activities will include continuation and expansion of the existing successful community grants program, initiatives to provide skills and foster networks for youth, and community infrastructure.
Pillar Crosscutting Outcome:
5. Women increasingly participate in decision making and take on leadership roles in civic, economic and political spaces: The program will use the entry points from its range of activities to promote women’s leadership.
Position Overview
Economic Development is a priority for the ABG and the Bougainville Partnership. The ABG’s approach to supporting economic development in the near term is articulated within the Anchor Bougainville Economy (ABE) Strategy.
The ABE Strategy 2025 priorities have been confirmed as the following five areas in a recently released Information Paper:
· Priority Project 1: Business Registration
· Priority Project 2: Revitalise Tax Office
· Priority Project 3: Consolidated Treasury
· Priority Project 4: Implement Economic Laws
· Priority Project 5: Economic Enablers (Public
Utilities)
Tax Administration Advisor (the Advisor) will contribute to Priority Project 2: Revitalise Tax Office by providing the
following inputs:
1. Technical input into the review of, then amendments to, the Sales Tax (Beer and Cigarettes) Act 2011
2. Technical input into the review of, then amendments to, the Tax Administration Act 2006
3. Support to ongoing functional analysis, capacity mapping and organisational redesign/restructure to enable the
operationalization of the two (amended) Acts.
To deliver the tax framework review, a joint technical team has been appointed by the Chief Collector of Tax, which includes
representation from the Bougainville Tax Office (BTO), the Department of Treasury and Finance (DoTF) and Department of Justice and Legal Services (DJLS).
The Advisor will contribute subject matter expertise to the review of, then amendments to, the two existing tax Acts. The
Advisor will also lead the functional analysis, capacity mapping and organisational redesign/restructure to enable the operationalization of the two (amended) Acts.
The Advisor will have a dual accountability line to the Director (BP) and the Chief Collector of Tax (BTO), and will report to the Director (BP).
Key Responsibilities
Specific responsibilities for the Advisor include:
· Technical input into the review of, then amendments to, the Sales Tax (Beer and Cigarettes) Act 2011, including:
o Updating the recommendations of a review of the Sales Tax Act conducted in 2018
o Develop policy options and recommendations for improvements to Sales Tax (including revenue modelling) that will form the basis for consultation documents and policy submissions to the Bougainville Executive Council (BEC).
o Work with the BP’s Legislative Development Adviser to prepare drafting instructions for legislation to implement any BEC policy decisions arising from the tax framework review.
· Technical input into the review of, then amendments to, the Tax Administration Act 2006, including:
o Contribute to a comparative review of tax administration systems and legislation in other jurisdictions, including at
national level in Papua New Guinea and in relevant Pacific Island countries (i.e. Solomon Islands and Fiji).
o Work with the BP’s Legislative Development Adviser to prepare drafting instructions for legislation to implement any BEC policy decisions arising from the tax framework review.
· Support to ongoing functional analysis, capacity mapping and organisational redesign/restructure to enable the operationalization of the two (amended) Acts, including:
o Review key BTO corporate documents, including but limited to: BTO Corporate Plan, BTO Business Development Strategy and Implementation Plan, BTO Training Plan 2017-2019, Compliance Improvement Strategy and Enforcement Implementation Plan
o Provide input into the ongoing functional analysis activity of the BTO, with a specific focus on operationalization of the two (amended) Acts.
Specific Deliverables
Specific deliverables will include:
Sales Tax Act 2011
1. Updated review of the Sales Tax Act conducted in 2018
2. Brief policy options paper (including revenue modelling) with recommendations for
improvements to Sales Tax
3. Input into drafting instructions to amend the Sales Tax Act
Tax Administration Act 2006
4. Input into a comparative review of tax administration systems and legislation in other jurisdictions.
5. Input into drafting instructions to amend the Tax Administration Act
Support to functional analysis, capacity mapping and organisational redesign/ restructure
6. Brief “Options Paper’ to support ongoing functional analysis activity of the BTO,
with a specific focus on operationalization of the two (amended) Acts.
Key working relationships
ABG
· Chief Collector of Tax and Senior BTO Staff
· DoTF Senior Staff
· DJLS Senior Staff
Bougainville Partnership
· Director, BP
· Legislative Development Advisor
· Legislative Drafting Adviser
· Governance & Management Advisor
· Team Leader, Economic Development
Primary external relationships:
· Economic Sector Working Group
· Bougainville Business Associations
· Service providers
· Beer and Cigarettes retailers (i.e. SP Brewery Ltd, British American Tobacco)
· ABG Liquor Licensing Commission
· Other advisers, including Functional Analyst under the Strengthening Transparent and Accountable Governance (STAG) project
About You
Qualifications
· A degree in finance, business or public administration, economics or similar. Preferably with post graduate qualifications.
Knowledge
· Knowledge and experience of the unique autonomy arrangements applicable in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville in respect of taxation powers (desirable).
· Taxation policy and legislation globally and in the Pacific region.
· Functional analysis, capacity mapping and organisational design in the context of tax administration systems.
· Demonstrated understanding of sub-national economic development in Papua New Guinea or Melanesia.
· An understanding of the monitoring, evaluation and reporting, and public diplomacy requirements of Australian/ PNG Government or donor programs.
Skills/Experience
· At least 10 years’ experience in practical operation of tax administration systems.
· At least 3 years’ experience in practical operation of tax administration systems in a Papua New Guinea or
Pacific context.
· Experience working with bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors and coordinating multi-agency Technical Working
Groups.
· Ability to communicate and work effectively in a cross-cultural environment.
· Ability to write and verbally communicate clearly and concisely in English.
· Ability to integrate and promote principles of gender equity and social inclusion into aspects of previous roles
Personal Attributes
· Delivers Results
· Builds Internal and External Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty.
· Develops People
· Communicates
· Sets Vision and Direction
· Demonstrates Sound Financial and Business-Related Practices
· Builds Teams and Cooperation
· Promotes Technical Excellence and
Quality
· Promotes Diversity Acts as a Role Model
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.
Closing Date: Thursday, 18 September 2025, 12PM (Mid-day, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT
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.
For more information on the role and how to apply, please click on ‘Apply Now’
About Us
Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader with a proven
track record in complex program implementation in the international development
sector. We offer bold solutions and technical excellence in Health, Economic
Growth, Governance, Research & Evaluation, Environment & Energy, Gender
Equality & Social Inclusion. Working with our many partners, we have driven
measurable social impact for more than 55 years, to achieve our mission of
improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people worldwide. We
operate in remote and challenging environments and employ more than 3,700 staff
in over 50 countries. For more information about us and what we do, visit our
website at www.abtassociates.com
Equity
Abt Associates values individuality and celebrates difference with
a strong commitment to diversity, equality, racial equity, gender, and
disability inclusion. We strongly encourage people from culturally and
linguistically diverse communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people to apply for this position. We offer flexible work arrangements and a
culturally safe environment for staff members from diverse racial and ethnic
backgrounds.
Safeguarding
We are deeply committed to safeguarding, to protect and prevent
harm and abuse to individuals we work for and who work for us. Our recruitment
and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and
vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. We will not tolerate
discrimination, harassment, child abuse, sexual abuse, or exploitation in any
form, and expect everyone to be treated with respect and dignity.
