About the Program 

A stable, prosperous, peaceful and resilient PNG is critical to Australia's interests. Australia is PNG's largest development partner, its main partner on economic and security issues. 

The Australia PNG Subnational Program (APSP) is an enabling mechanism comprised of three separately designed programs including: Bougainville Partnership (BP), Kokoda Initiative Partnership (KIP), and the Western Province Partnership (WPP). Each program has its own outcomes, theory of change, operational approach and separate monitoring and evaluation systems.

The APSP also includes the Subnational Governance Implementation Plan (SGIP) that proposes a scalable foundational delivery model of subnational engagement. The SGIP is referenced in the APSP Contract and Strategic Framework as the continuation of the current network of subnational advisers (SNA) in the Western Province, Highlands, Sepik and Morobe.

There are five high level outcomes which span all programs:

• Output one: Effective gender-centred programs delivered for Bougainville, Kokoda, and Western Province

• Output two: Support DFAT to coordinate Australian inputs in selected subnational contexts

• Output three: Technical assistance targeted at key institutions and policy reforms

• Output four: Rapid programming of resources in support of DFAT priorities

• Output five and six: Analysis, learning, and adaptation.

Managed by Abt Associates under a single contract from 2026 to 2030, the centralised approach is aimed to ensure and drive value for money by realising back-office efficiencies, ensure gender is consistently at the forefront of each program and deliver opportunities for learning and adaptation between programs.

Program Activity

The Western Province Partnership (WPP) is a component of the Australia-Papua New Guinea Subnational Program (APSP). The objective of the WPP is for Australia and Western Province foster stronger ties and greater coordination to improve human and economic development, enabling infrastructure and regional security.

WPP will work toward the realisation of the following end of program outcomes (EOPO) by 2030:

1. Women and men participating in program activities have diversified livelihoods from agriculture and fisheries.

2. Targeted communities collaborate to strengthen welfare, production, and resilience.

3. Women contribute to decision-making and take on leadership roles in targeted provincial, district, and community structures.

4. Policy and practice at provincial and district levels are directed towards delivery of minimum priority services. 

The WPP is nested under the Western Province Strategy which aims to unify Australia’s development assistance and captures Australia’s whole-of-government engagement.

Position Overview 

The GEDSI Coordinator will work closely with the GEDSI Manager to implement the WPP GEDSI Strategy and be responsible for:

• Support the Program Manager to establish, maintain, and coordinate partnerships with women’s organisations and networks, working in consultation to align engagement with WPP priorities and agreed workplans.
• Coordinate day‑to‑day support to women’s coalitions under the guidance of the Program Manager, including assisting with the planning and delivery of coalition‑strengthening activities such as:
  • Capacity‑building workshops
  • Advocacy and leadership development activities
  • Provision and coordination of small‑scale resources that enable women’s groups to participate effectively in community development and local governance processes.
• Assist the Program Manager to contribute to initiatives that expand women’s leadership opportunities across WPP, providing operational and coordination support as required.
• Work collaboratively with other WPP program teams, in consultation with the Program Manager, to support the intentional targeting, facilitation, and tracking of women’s participation and leadership within WPP‑supported committees, groups, and community structures.
• Support engagement and coordination with the Division of Community Development (including the Gender/GEDSI Focal Point), as directed by the Program Manager, to strengthen alignment and collaboration on gender equality priorities.
• Provide coordination support to MERLA‑related gender work, working with the MERLA team and under the guidance of the Program Manager to:
  • Support the use of gender‑sensitive indicators, tools, and data‑collection methods

  • Assist with analysis of monitoring data related to intended and unintended gender outcomes

  • Contribute inputs to learning products that inform adaptive program management and reporting.

     

About You 

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in international development, gender studies or a relevant field desirable.

Skills/Experience

• Demonstrated experience in and commitment to supporting and building women’s networks and coalitions and increasing women’s leadership opportunities

• Demonstrated knowledge of integrating gender, equity and inclusion analysis and principles in development projects

• Demonstrated experience in leading/supporting gender and inclusion training and capacity-building with civil society/non-government sector

• Demonstrated experience in child protection, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and harassment (PSEAH) safeguarding policies and practices 

• Experience in the integration of GEDSI in monitoring and evaluation processes and data collection

• Demonstrated experience in working with diverse stakeholders to build collective support and influence change

• High level capacity in written analysis and report writing

• Prior experience working in Western Province and/or PNG

• Demonstrated understanding of the program delivery requirements of the Australian and PNG Governments

Personal Attributes 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Establishes positive working relations with diverse stakeholders

• Committed to gender equality and inclusion principles

• Demonstrates initiative and problem-solving skills

For more information on the role and how to apply, please click on ‘GO TO PROVIDER WEBSITE’