About the Program 

The PNG Secondary Education Program (PNG SEP) is a flagship investment of the Australian Government, delivered under the Papua New Guinea–Australia Partnership. PNG SEP aims to improve learning outcomes, equity and access for secondary students across Papua New Guinea’s highest performing schools, while strengthening national and subnational education systems.

The program supports the Government of Papua New Guinea’s priorities under the National Education Plan 2023–2027 and is aligned with Australia’s International Development Policy. PNG SEP focuses on improving teaching and learning quality, strengthening school leadership and governance and supporting safe, resilient and inclusive secondary school environments. Cross-cutting priorities, including gender equality, disability inclusion, safeguarding and climate resilience are mainstreamed across all program activities.

About the Opportunity

Abt Global is seeking a highly experienced Program Director to provide overall strategic, technical and operational leadership for the PNG Secondary Education Program.

Reporting to the Abt Global Contractor Representative, the Program Director will serve as the principal interface with the Australian High Commission, the National Department of Education, Provincial Divisions of Education and participating schools. The role will lead a multi-partner consortium and senior leadership team to ensure high-quality, adaptive and accountable delivery and to strengthen Australia–PNG bilateral education partnerships.

This is a senior leadership role requiring deep experience in complex secondary education projects, strong government engagement capability and a proven track record in politically informed, adaptive program leadership. The Program Director will lead a targeted, catalytic program that works through government systems, partnerships and selected demonstration schools to embed digitally enabled pedagogy, data-informed decision-making and inclusive learning approaches, influencing policy, financing and practice beyond the program footprint.

About You 

For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided. 

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Extensive senior leadership experience managing large, complex education programs, with responsibility for delivering contracted results, milestones and End-of-Investment Outcomes

• Strong experience engaging with senior level government counterparts, donors and development partners, including demonstrated responsiveness to DFAT requirements and Australian High Commission oversight and decision-making processes

• Demonstrated expertise in politically informed program governance, consortium and partner management, leading adaptive delivery in complex operating environments

• Proven capability in financial management, risk oversight and value-for-money assurance within results-based or performance-linked contracting arrangements

• A strong track record in ensuring technical coherence and quality across multiple workstreams, aligning education, digital, leadership, GEDSI and safeguarding interventions to evidence and system priorities

• A clear commitment to gender equality, disability inclusion, safeguarding, localisation and Do No Harm principles, with experience embedding these across program design, delivery, MEL and communications

• Excellent leadership, communication and relationship-management skills with the ability to lead and mentor high-performing teams, manage competing priorities and represent programs credibly at senior forums 

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