About the Program 

The Sri Lanka Support Unit manages part of Australia’s aid program in Sri Lanka and provides strategic and technical advisory services to the Australian High Commission (AHC), along with administrative support. In doing this SLSU implements and coordinates the monitoring and evaluation of SLSU-managed investments.   

SLSU Goal: Investments in priority areas as agreed by the Sri Lankan Government and Australian Government are efficient, effective and equitable.   

SLSU Objective: To provide flexible, high quality and responsive support to the Australian Government’s bilateral development program in Sri Lanka contributing to mutually agreed development priorities.   

SLSU’s End of Facility Outcomes are: 1. Effective and equitable investments in priority areas 2. Efficient and equitable platform management.  

About the Opportunity 

The Program Officer will support the implementation and performance oversight of anticipated new skills activities funded through DFAT in selected geographical location(s) in Sri Lanka. The Program Officer will work closely with the Skills Lead and the Team Leader on all matters related to skills activities and overall program delivery.   

The Program Officer will serve as a central point of contact in selected districts managing all on-ground program activities, ensuring project timelines align with funder priorities and outcomes are successfully delivered. They will be working closely with key stakeholders including local government authorities, small businesses, private sector and other relevant community organisations while managing partner’s performance and critical relationships.    

The assignment will have an initial six-month probationary period.   

Suitable candidates are required to be located in, or in close proximity to, Matale District, and to have strong existing relevant networks in the area. 

Summary of Key Responsibilities 

• Serve as a key point of contact in selected districts in relation to implementation of new skills program activities   
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with program partners at districts and divisional level and represent SLSU at meetings, conferences and workshops, as needed 
• Provide Skills Lead with timely and necessary operational and technical support and advice which leads to successful regional program implementation, meeting project timelines.  
• Work closely with MERL team and contribute to responsibility for the preparation, data analysis and reporting of monitoring missions, program activities mid-term reviews, final evaluations, and similar tasks grant evaluation processes, including assessing grant applications, and drafting short and long list reports. 
• Support due diligence assessments and contracting of new partners in selected districts. 
• Coordinate learning and knowledge sharing tasks, including assisting with the design, preparation, implementation, data analysis and reporting of networking forums, communication & outreach events, trainings, learning and reflection dialogues for the skills program. 
• Contribute to delivery of onboarding workshops with grantees, covering expectations, relevant policies (e.g. child protection, fraud, anti-corruption, etc.), contract obligations, financial management, risk management, reporting, and branding, communications and public diplomacy. 
• Provide oversight of regional partner’s performance and assess progress towards agreed end of project outcomes, including achievement of milestones linked to payments. 
• Other tasks requested by the Skills Lead or Team Leader. 

About you 

• Extensive experience working in skills sector particularly with micro, small or medium businesses and/or workforce development programs in selected regions.   
• Demonstrated experience in identifying and facilitating   
• technical, operational and support requirements to address constraints on programs, including leading the implementation of program annual plans.   
• Excellent planning, organising and coordination skills   
• Excellent interpersonal skills and proven experience in developing and maintaining relationships with local organisations, partners, government officials, donor representatives and other key stakeholders.  
• Excellent local language skills, with fluency in Sinhala language essential. Trilingual applicants will be highly regarded.   
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in International Development or TVET will be well regarded. 

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people with sexual diversity or disability, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single requirement for a position. At Abt Associates we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every role requirement, we encourage you to apply in any case. You may be just the right candidate for this or for other roles.  

How to Apply 

Please apply online via our Abt Careers website 

Please attach a cover letter and a detailed CV as a single document, addressing how you meet the requirements of this role.   

Closing Date: 25th April 2025, 11:59pm, Standard Sri Lanka Time 

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.