About the Program
The Partnerships for Improving Education (PIE) Program is an 8-year, Government of Australia (GoA) investment to support the Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) improve the delivery of access to and quality of education for the children of PNG. From 1 July 2022, the program will be implemented in three phases:
· Inception Phase – six months;
· Phase 1 – 4.5 years with an independent review at 3.5 years;
· Phase 2 – three years.
The program will start with a focus on early grade education working at the national and sub-national level in four target provinces. Through facilitating, testing and monitoring innovative ways to address priority challenges related to access and retention, and the upgrading of skills of elementary teachers, the Program will seek to influence policy and systems-based change to improve learning outcomes for girls, boys and children with a disability in the early grades. After three years, broader adoption/adaptation in other provinces could commence thereafter depending upon interest and absorptive capacity. On this basis, the investment may directly engage with eight to ten provinces over its lifetime.
The expected end-of-investment outcomes (EOIO) for the PIE investment are:
· Targeted Outcome 1: More children (girls, boys, and children with disabilities) in the early grades enrol and stay in school in selected provinces using replicable and sustainable approaches
· Targeted Outcome 2: Targeted provinces are using sustainable and replicable
approaches to support improvements in the quality of teaching and learning in the early grades
· Enabling Outcome 3: Evidence of systemic change within the education sector that improves the delivery of early grades education
About the Opportunity
The Corporate Services Lead is responsible for the effective delivery of the program through ensuring all operational aspects are established and implemented effectively and efficiently, utilising the corporate services team model of integrated support and ensuring operational processes are continually developed and improved.
The Corporate Services Lead forms part of the PIE Executive Leadership Team and will ensure PIE operations functions and individuals integrate and work collaboratively.
Key Responsibilities
For all operations functions, the Corporate Services Lead will lead function heads with the following responsibilities:
People & Culture (HR)
· Oversee the end-to-end HR life cycle of PIE staff in accordance with Abt Corporate and DFAT policies
· Support PIE Senior People and Culture Coordinator with HR management activities.
Logistics, Operations and Security
· Oversee PIE operations in Port Moresby, Sandaun, Central, Enga Provinces and AROB including all assets
· Oversee safety and security management to ensure well-being of all PIE personnel
· Oversee and manage the coordination of all missions, reviews, evaluations, technical working groups and conferences, as tasked
· Oversee the coordination of all travel for the PIE program and DFAT stakeholders as required
· Manage relevant service agreements for the delivery of all centralised services, including for example, fleet management, ICT, security and transport
Financial Management and Procurement
· Monitor PIE budget and expenditure and ensure reporting to DFAT and other stakeholders as required
· Oversee and/or manage PIE procurement processes in accordance with Abt Policy, DFAT policy and Head Contract guidelines
· Manage the undertaking of due diligence on delivery partner organisations, for compliance, risk, to build local capacity and achieve program objectives.
· Support the implementation of the Value for Money (VfM) Framework based on clear and understood benchmarks and performance standards, including as identified in the Performance Assessment Framework
· Ensure that program assets are being appropriately registered.
General Program Management and Corporate Responsibilities
· Provide support to the Team Leader to ensure the Contractor’s responsibilities are met in supporting PIE through the implementation of activities in a timely manner, within budget framework and according to DFAT and Abt policies and procedures
· Support technical and operational Communities of Practice (CoPs) covering People & Culture, Finance, Operations/Procurement and Safety & Security
· Contribute to PIE progress reporting requirements, including providing data and information to component programs for their reporting requirements.
· Establish a robust risk management framework that ensures both compliance and strategic risks are identified and managed and support implementation through partnership protocols and risk frameworks
· Effectively track and manage key PIE and component program milestones and risks
· Contribute to quality improvement and monitoring, evaluation and learning of PIE
· Participate in periodic ‘Service Reviews’ with Abt PNG Programs and PIE Executive team to be chaired by Abt VP Program Delivery and Growth
Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion Mainstreaming
· Collaborate with the PIE’s GEDSI and Safeguarding Lead to ensure the integration of PIE GEDSI Strategy into service delivery.
· Demonstrate leadership support for the implementation of key diversity and inclusion policies, including:
o Gender Equality Policy
o Respect at Work Policy
o Flexible Work Policy
o Paid Parental Leave Policy
o Compensation Policy
o Leave Policy
· Continuous Improvement: Monitor evidence of what works to promote greater gender equity and social inclusion and ensure evidence translated into changes in implementation.
· Other duties as required
Key working relationships
· Team Leader
· PIE corporate services team program staff
· Provincial Managers
· MERL Lead
· AHC counterparts
· Abt PNG corporate services staff
· Abt PNG Operations Leads/ Corporate Services Lead
About You
For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provide;
· Demonstrated experience (10+ years desirable) in leading, managing operations teams (including HR, finance, logistics) for large, complex programs within an international development would be an asset.
· Ability to deliver strategic leadership and provide support to operational Managers on service delivery issues to ensure the effectiveness of operational planning, decision making and meeting deliverables.
· Demonstrated experience managing extensive budgets, contributing to the financial planning and monitoring processes, ideally on a donor funded program.
· Demonstrated ability to operate with innovation, adaptability, flexibility, and resilience to accommodate change in a complex, uncertain, high-energy environment – such as PNG or a comparable experience.
How to Apply
Please submit your application online; attach your cover letter and CV as a single document, addressing how you meet the Key selection criteria of this role.
We welcome and thank all applications; however only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Closing Date: Tuesday, 2 August 2022
