About the Project: The New Colombo Plan (NCP) is a signature initiative of the Australian Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the region. Students undertake Scholarship programs, participate in Mobility projects, and on completion join an Alumni program. The strategic objective of the NCP is to strengthen Australia’s regional standing by building a diverse cohort of Australian alumni with deeper Indo-Pacific knowledge, capability, and connections, contributing to the development of enduring people-to-people and institutional links, as part of the Australian Government’s public and economic diplomacy. Palladium provides Management and Administration Support Services to the NCP Project (MASS).
This Contract Manager role is part of the senior management team, driving a service orientated, collaborative approach to contract delivery, leading the operations and finance functions of the program. The role leads on developing, maintaining and updating operational policies and procedures that enable NCP scholarships, mobility and alumni programs, as well cross cutting functional support in areas such as risk management and funds management. The role provides planned yet highly responsive financial, human resource, procurement, grants, IT, security, logistics and administrative support to implement the Program. This role is fixed-term until July 2024 and based in Adelaide city (although candidates based in Canberra or Brisbane will be considered).
The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to:
Maintain a contract management plan and ensure compliance with key contractual obligations, including leading on variations and amendments.
Direct and quality assure all aspects of work across the operational and finance team, collaborating with the Program/cross cutting Function teams to understand the operations requirements needed to implement the whole program.
Contribute to continuous business improvement, identifying and advising on risks, issues and opportunities in line with contract management and risk frameworks, as well as program management and operational policies and procedures.
Play a key role in the program planning and reporting processes, ensuring these are in line with contract requirements and contributing operational and financial content.
Manage the sub-contracting and procurement system for the Program, which includes procurement/ recruitment of sub-contractors and consultants, procuring and managing assets and overseeing the NCP travel and medical insurance for Scholarship holders.
Oversee financial management of the program, including line management of finance personnel, and ensuring quality budgeting, expenditure reporting, forecasting and audit processes.
Working closely with the director, develop human resource management systems and processes for the program, including recruitment, induction, performance management and resource management strategies
Lead on grants management systems; advising on and quality assuring forecasting, reporting and management of the three funds managed by the program (Scholarships, Mobility and Private Sector).
Ensure robust risk management, safety and security and safeguarding policies and procedures are designed and implemented.
About You:
Demonstrated senior experience in contract or program management, including managing contract delivery of a large government program, with experience of DFAT contracts preferred.
Delivery against service level standards in a program support function, such as in management of grants, funds and risk.
Strong track record to provide effective and responsive oversight and leadership in program operational areas – procurement, grants management, human resources, financial management, ICT, security and safeguarding.
Successful experience in contract compliance, delivery of quality management systems and implementation of standard practices and continuous improvements.
Experience in building high performing and resilient teams supported by constructive supervision, performance development and role modelling a culture of service excellence
Experience of program management and operational support in scholarships and awards programs is desirable
The Benefits:
Join a close-knit team that is committed to delivery;
Positive Impact Organisation;
Opportunity to add tangible value;
Great office culture with the opportunity to add real value;
Company Overview:
About Palladium - Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people's lives.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - 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, 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 any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com
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.
