Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe.  We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of more than 4,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities. We are seeking a Team Leader for managing and implementing the technical aspects of The Vanuatu Australia Policing and Justice Program Phase 3 (VAPJP3), in close coordination with Palladium and the Australian High Commission (AHC) in Vanuatu.

Make a tangible difference in the lives of students and communities in Vanuatu. Support the disaster recovery efforts, delivery of high-quality infrastructure projects and work collaboratively with the Vanuatu Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) to build technical capacity.

The opportunity

• Based in vibrant Port Vila, Vanuatu with occasional travels to outer islands
• Full-time contract to 20 December 2026
• Support MoET to deliver high-quality infrastructure projects across Vanuatu, and advise on post-earthquake recovery efforts

Location: Port Vila, Vanuatu, and travel within Vanuatu, as required

The Partnership Director will provide strategic and technical leadership for the VAHP, overseeing its overall management and ensuring effective use of Australian Government resources. 

Are you a financial systems expert ready to lead and optimise key financial information systems in Nauru? Join us to make a meaningful impact on the governance and fiscal efficiency of this Pacific Island nation.

• Apply your content expertise, and management skills in this unique and exciting regional role.  

• One Position only but could be based - in Brisbane, Australia or within Pacific Island countries, 4 Year fixed term contract (with possibility of ongoing extension)  

• Flexible work arrangements available 

Lead a transformative education program in Vanuatu, driving impactful outcomes through strategic leadership, collaboration, and innovative program delivery. 

Contribute to a world where people, communities and the planet thrive.

Tetra Tech International Development is a leading development consulting firm working with government, businesses, and NGOs to solve complex development challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. For more information please visit our website .

The opportunity

• Port Vila, Vanuatu 

• Open to international and ni Vanuatu National candidates 

• Full-time

• Lead a transformative education program in Vanuatu

The STTA Pool is a roster of vetted and qualified consultants from which Development Pathways can rapidly engage technical experts for DFAT-funded programs. The STTA Pool enables programs to effectively respond to emerging opportunities by drawing on exceptional external experts to deliver services.

The MIPU Women’s Network was formally launched in November 2023. It is a key activity under the MIPU Inclusivity Policy as summarised below. 

The MIPU Inclusivity Policy (2015) has five policy objectives: 

• Strive to be a workplace that is inclusive, diverse and fair for all employees, contractors, volunteers and ensures access and equity in employment, training and promotion opportunities
• Endeavor to provide the highest possible level of service to the community and to ensure that all working activities are delivered keeping in mind the need to provide accessible and inclusive services to the Vanuatu population
• Acknowledge that everyone should have equal opportunities to participate effectively regardless of age, gender, culture, race, economic circumstance, disability, religion, family responsibilities
• Aim to increase opportunities for people, especially disadvantaged groups, to engage in all aspects of the community and to work their way to a better life by developing policies and programs that can support individuals to do this
• Encourage all employees to develop their skills with barriers faced by specific groups identified and action taken to address them.

1. Vision
2. Inclusivity Policy and Women’s Empowerment

The vision is to ‘create a positive workplace culture that is gender diverse and inclusive in which women and men are equally represented, valued and rewarded. It is recognized that males and females have different needs and perspectives to consider (MIPU Inclusivity Policy, p. 4).

There are two key sections of the MIPU Inclusivity Policy that focus specifically on women.

A. Promotion of Women’s Empowerment

The MIPU Inclusivity Policy identifies the following principles:

Women working within the Ministry have the same potential as men, and should be included in all areas of work. Affirmative action must be taken so that women can be empowered to communicate and participate on an equal footing with men.

A.1 Policy Requirements

In taking affirmative action to maximize the inclusion of women in the workplace, the Ministry should support:

• The establishment of a Women’s Network to enhance and maintain a positive working culture for women, involving activities and social events to bring female staff together and to promote inclusion for women across all departments
• The establishment of a mentoring program for women
• Strategies for recruiting and promoting female staff into management positions.

B. Safety and Security

Women have a right to enjoy a safe and secure workplace, free from violence, sexual harassment, and threatening behaviour.

B.1 Policy Requirements

In order to provide a safe and secure workplace for women the Ministry should:

• Ensure that lighting is provided for paths to and from the workplace after dark.
• Provide separate toilets for women in all workplaces.
• Maintain an incident log to record all incidents affecting the safety and security of women.

The MIPU Women’s Network has an Action Plan includes a focus on developing a cadre of women leaders across MIPU.

3. Inclusivity policy and youth

Young people globally are often situated at the margins of society and viewed as having little to contribute. With limited experience in the world of work and few opportunities to gain this experience, young people in Vanuatu risk not being able to successfully transition to adulthood. In Vanuatu, youth are defined as being between the ages of 12 and 30 years, whilst acknowledging that there are also cultural considerations that may extend the period of youth to those under the age of 12 years.[1] When we use the term ‘youth’ we are referring to young females and males between the ages of 12 and 30 years.

MIPU acknowledges that:

• Youth form an important part of the workforce and represent the country’s future. In supporting Vanuatu’s young people, and harnessing their potential, the Ministry should work towards creating training and employment opportunities for youth in the community. 
• Youth face many challenges in starting and succeeding in a new job. The Ministry should strive to facilitate stable and nurturing relationships toward young employees (including interns and cadets). 
• In 2023, the MIPU Women’s Network consulted extensively with youth to develop a Youth Action Plan, based on the aspirations for young people themselves. The Youth Action Plan identifies two clear actions to be implemented in the coming years: 
  • Creating opportunities for youth
  • Supporting youth in the workplace

Key outcomes from working with youth

Through working with youth, MIPU aims to:

1. Create opportunities for youth

Where possible, endeavor to take on requests from young people for work experience and internships. This could be done by working with community partners, such as Youth Challenge and other organisations and institutions.

1. Establish and maintain a formal cadet program, offering paid placements for work experience within MIPU 
2. Encourage SSCs to engage young people in road and infrastructure projects 
3. Identify potential CBC’s where youth groups can be engaged
4. Undertake regular career awareness sessions in schools 
5. Work with Learning Institutions to provide Industrial Attachment Placements for young people
6. Identify employment opportunities with Ministry and Donor supported initiatives and projects 

2. Support youth in the workplace

Provide opportunity to develop competencies and skills through formal training and regular on-the-job coaching and mentoring sessions.

1. Encourage and support youth to actively participate in decision-making 
2.  Identify training opportunities for young employees in project designs 

In addition, the Public Works Department has developed a Universal Social Safeguard Guide on Community Consultation and youth are identified as a group that need to be included in discussions and decision making about matters that affect them. 
 

[1] Vanuatu National Youth Development Policy 2012-2022 https://vnyc.gov.vu/images/nationalyouthdevelopmentpolicy.pdf (access sate 15 June 2024).

Join the Australia-Pacific Partnerships Platform as a Senior HR & Recruitment Officer, responsible for managing all stages of the HR and recruitment process, ensuring effective talent acquisition and HR operations across the program.