• Fixed term contract up to 31 December 2027 (with possible 2 year extension)
• Based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
• Open for PNG national candidates only

About Palladium
Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social, climate and economic value.  We work with governments, businesses, and investors to help solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 2,000 employees operating in 75-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, the environment, and, most importantly, people's lives.

About Strongim Wok Long TVET (SWLT)
The Papua New Guinea (PNG)–Australia Strongim Wok Long Technical and Vocational Education and Training (SWLT) program is a new Australian Government investment that will be working in partnership with PNG to strengthen its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector. Aligned with PNG’s national priority to build an educated and skilled workforce for resilient economic growth, SWLT aims to enhance the quality, relevance, and inclusiveness of skills development. The program will work closely with TVET stakeholders and select technical colleges to grow the number of skilled individuals with industry relevant skills.

This Opportunity
As Cluster Engagement Lead you will be required to participate in the initial cluster design process during SWLT program inception and manage the cluster workplan thereafter. SWLT location-based clusters are intended to enable facilitated capacity building, through a whole-of-ecosystem approach; capacity assessments to inform training needs and grants; and private sector engagement.

The primary responsibilities of this role will include: 

• Cluster Design & Implementation: Working with short-term Cluster Specialists, collaborate with a variety of TVET stakeholders to design SWLT’s cluster approach to align with national priorities and labour market trends, and lead the delivery of the 18-month workplan thereafter.
• Planning & Coordination: Manage cluster planning, budgeting, and local action plans; ensuring activities drive employment outcomes, diversity, accessibility, and strong policy-to-practice links.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with government, TVET institutions, communities, industry, and other partners; and provide support to cluster events, outreach programs and SWLT public diplomacy efforts.
• Team Leadership: Recruit, coach, and support cluster staff, including management of remote teams and fostering a positive culture of learning and performance.
• Monitoring & Continuous Improvement: Oversee and contribute to monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) as it relates to cluster programming, contribute to learning and adaptation through ongoing research and sector analysis, and support expansion to new locations.
• Safeguarding & Inclusion: Uphold DFAT and Palladium standards, promote gender equality, disability and social inclusion objectives, and model climate-friendly practices.

Please note: This role is being advertised early in the program’s inception phase. Some aspects of the role may be revised before or shortly after commencement. Any changes will be discussed and agreed upon between Palladium and the successful candidate.

About you
You will have experience:

• Working in the TVET sector in Papua New Guinea, or demonstrated experience working in the broader Australia-Pacific TVET and higher education sectors would be an advantage
• Building and maintaining successful and strong relationships and managing multi-stakeholder engagement to achieve shared outcomes
• Applying a diverse range of capacity development strategies and methodologies
• Using adaptability and initiative in managing large-scale programs with competing priorities to deliver results in a complex environment
• Coaching and mentoring junior colleagues and providing positive and constructive support that enables them to learn and grow

Additional key requirements include:

• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously while contributing effectively within a team
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of locally-led, socially inclusive, politically informed and adaptive programming

To Apply
Please submit your application online, including your CV and brief cover letter, outlining your suitability in line with the requirements of the position.
Closing date: Friday 21st November 2025, 11.59pm AEST

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. 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 and expression, 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 for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

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.