Director of Skills

Job Description

Suva, Fiji, with international travel across the Pacific region and Timor-Leste.

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. Pacific Australia Skills seeks to maintain continuity and presence in operating countries, whilst at the same time, introduce a new approach and vision, with new partnerships, systems and delivery mechanisms.

Purpose of the Role

The Director of Skills is a member of the Pacific Australia Skills senior leadership team and contributes to the program’s strategic direction through driving the delivery of high quality, industry-relevant, and demand-driven skills development, with a focus on quality assurance of skills and training offerings, including compliance with Australian, regional or national standards, where applicable. The role will build and oversee a high-performing regional skills development, academic and partnerships team in support of country office teams, ensuring skills and training are responsive to DFAT and partner requests. The Director of Skills will attract, guide and nurture a highly skilled and committed workforce.

Roles and Responsibilities

Strategic engagement and collaboration

• Work closely with other members of the senior leadership team to support the development of high-quality work plans and the delivery of high-quality skills and training activities.
• Contribute to effective and positive working relationships with DFAT Canberra and Posts (these relationships will be led by the Team Leader, Director of Programs and relevant Country Directors).
• Support the Programs teams to work collaboratively with relevant skills sector external stakeholders, including Pacific and Timor-Leste skills institutions, to support the achievement of development outcomes.

Team management and leadership

• Provide effective leadership and management of the Skills team to support the Programs team with the design and delivery of skills and training initiatives across the program, in line with the program’s strategic objectives, including through the development and management of partnerships with relevant Pacific and Timor Leste organisations.
• Provide line management to the Skills team, including performance management, coaching, mentoring and professional development.
• Create a positive and engaging environment for the Skills team, promoting a culture of learning and building a shared vision and overall team cohesion.

Skills Sector Expertise

• Oversight the quality assurance of training provision and student experience, ensuring academic quality assurance, and monitoring regulatory compliance with relevant regulatory and skills authorities. 
• Oversight the delivery of high-quality, student-centered academic learning support and administrative services across the Program
• Support country offices to lead co-investment skills and training engagements to achieve mutually agreed TVET system strengthening objectives. 

Cross-cutting issues

• Working closely with the Program Effectiveness team, ensure gender equity, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI), sustainability, climate change and safeguarding are championed and mainstreamed throughout the work of the Skills team. 
• Proactively identify and manage program risks and escalate as required. 
• Ensure Pacific Australia Skills processes and procedures are effectively implemented in accordance with DT Global and DFAT policies and procedures  including but is not limited to: the DT Global Code of Conduct, Fraud and Anti-Corruption Policy; Confidentiality; Child Protection; and Health and Safety; as well as being compliant with the requirements of relevant Australia and Pacific Island country laws.

To view the complete role and responsibilities, click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position: https://tinyurl.com/3ksss5z3

About You

Selection Criteria

Essential Experience and Knowledge

• Relevant tertiary qualifications, with demonstrated experience in DFAT-funded programs.
• Proven expertise in driving achievement and contributing to end-of-investment outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience building and leading high performing teams in an international development context, with focus of supporting locally led programming. Strong leadership, high level strategic oversight, and project management capabilities, with large geographically diverse programs.
• Extensive knowledge of the skills sector in Australia and the Pacific, including applicable Australian regulatory frameworks and compliance systems
• A proven track record, success and extensive experience in leading in skills setting from a strategic, quality and compliance and operational perspective, in multiple locations to culturally and linguistically diverse client groups.
• Strong interpersonal skills, the ability to collaborate across teams, build team cohesion and the ability to cultivate and maintain productive working relationships in cross-cultural contexts.
• Experience in liaising with a range of partners, stakeholders and vendors.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to produce high-quality reports, briefs, workshops and other information exchanges with diverse audiences, including stakeholders at different levels.
• Proven experience in partnership engagement, working effectively with (for example) government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), donor organisations and other stakeholders to achieve shared development outcomes.
• Strategic and independent work approach, with a proactive, adaptable, and innovative problem-solving mindset focused on continuous improvement and achieving development outcomes.
• Experience working in the Pacific region, with an understanding of the local context, challenges, and opportunities to contribute to local development objectives.
• 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.
• People with lived experience of the regions in which Pacific Australia Skills operate are strongly encouraged to apply.
• DT Global strongly encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds including First Nations, diverse SOGIESC and people with disabilities.

HOW TO APPLY
Click the ‘Apply Now’ button.

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

 APPLICATIONS CLOSE:  Monday, 15 September 2025, 11:59 pm Suva time

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