Country Director Papua New Guinea

Job Description

Program Background

Pacific Australia Skills is a significant Australian investment which stands to make a major contribution to supporting social and economic growth in the region through strengthening the skills and training sector across the Pacific and Timor-Leste. Pacific Australia Skills builds on the achievements of 17 years of Australian Government support for skills and training in the Pacific. 

The Role

The Country Director will be responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships and partnerships with diverse stakeholders, the day-to-day management and technical oversight of the program including all aspects of country portfolio performance and operations. The Country Director is the primary liaison between the country team and DFAT Post. Country Directors will be senior Pacific Australia Skills team members, with the capacity to drive politically informed and locally led approaches. The role will contribute to Pacific Australia Skills policies, strategies and implementation approaches and lead the development and implementation of Country Plans. In PNG, key focus areas for this role will be client engagement, operational management, and strategic leadership and mentorship to the in-country team.

Roles and Responsibilities 

• Day-to-day leadership of in-country teams, including utilizing appropriate management approaches and expertise, recruitment, security, procurement, financial management and budgeting, ensuring compliance with local laws, and adhering to DT Global and DFAT policies and procedures. 
• Serve as a representative of Pacific Australia Skills in-country, drive strong relationships the DFAT Post and contribute to strong relationships with DFAT Canberra) 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with other relevant stakeholders in PNG including PNG Government Departments and regulatory bodies, TVET institutions, development partners, employers and industry groups. 
• Represent Pacific Australia Skills at high-level official meetings and functions, including Pacific Australia Skills governance mechanisms including sub-committees. 
• Through leadership and active mentoring, working with the country team to ensure the strategic direction of Pacific Australia Skills is reflected in all programming. 
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and contribute to cross-country knowledge sharing. 
• Drive development, implementation and updates of the PNG country plan and local partnerships, ensuring it is politically informed and aligned with DT Global’ s and DFAT’s locally led approaches.
• Contribute to building the profile and reputation of Pacific Australia Skills as a high performing program. 
• Contribute to overarching program strategy development and work planning. 
• Ensuring integration of gender equality, disability and social inclusion, First Nation perspectives, climate resilience and other cross-cutting issues in the PNG program.

Selection Criteria

Essential Experience and Knowledge 

• Tertiary qualification in international development or education or another relevant discipline such as political science, international business or change management. 
• Extensive demonstrated experience leading and managing in a complex environment, including establishing and maintaining relationships and partnerships across diverse stakeholders. 
• Established conceptual, analytical and Thinking and Working Politically (TWP) skills including the ability to identify emerging issues, and expertise to resolve operational issues and manage innovative solutions to complex problems in an adaptive manner. 
• Extensive demonstrated experience of working in PNG and/or the Pacific region in skills and/or education. 
• Proven ability to establish priorities, organize and manage staff performance, develop and manage budgets and other operational functions, including procurement, logistics, security and human resources. 
• Proven ability to achieve program objectives and to meet tight deadlines within a complex operating environment. 
• Understanding of and commitment to Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), Child Protection, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), prevention of human trafficking, environmental protection, anti-corruption and other DFAT safeguarding policies. 
• DT strongly encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds including first nations, diverse SOGIESC and people with disabilities.

Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position: https://tinyurl.com/ybpm3xwr

HOW TO APPLY
Click the ‘Apply Now’ button.

Please submit
1) Your CV
2) A cover letter addressing the selection criteria

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 11:59pm PNG Time, Wednesday 17 December 2025. 

Should this role be of interest; we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. All applications will be reviewed on a ‘rolling basis’. Kindly note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

DT Global is committed to child protection and safeguarding the welfare of children in the delivery of our international development programs. We are committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), and bribery prevention. DT Global is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage women, men, people with diverse backgrounds and people living with disabilities to apply. This program is funded by the Australian Government and Managed by DT Global.

About the Organization

About DT Global Asia Pacific

At DT Global Asia Pacific, we aim to positively impact people’s lives through delivery excellence. As a leading implementing partner across Asia and the Pacific, we co-create locally led solutions in partnership with governments, communities, and stakeholders. We bring together talented teams and deep regional expertise to deliver initiatives that promote inclusive economic growth, essential services, and resilient, secure communities. With over 1,500 staff, experts in 22+ countries and more than 60 years of development experience, we tackle complex community, national and transnational challenges — from governance and justice systems to climate resilience, infrastructure and social equity — with innovative thinking and a commitment to long-term impact.

For more information, please see www.dt-global.com