Location: Buka & Arawa, Autonomous Region of Bougainville

Commencement:  April 2026

Open to PNG Citizens

About the Program 

For Australia the emergence of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Bougainville is a key national interest; supporting the Government of PNG and the Autonomous Bougainville Government to implement the Bougainville Peace Agreement is an explicit commitment in the 2017 White Paper. An overriding interest is to maintain the peace that the Agreement brought about and that is enabled by political dialogue, within and outside Bougainville, and economic development. It implies a readiness to engage for the long term, accepting that the development of institutions and diversified economic opportunities will be slow.

The Bougainville Partnership (BP) took on its current form in 2016, inheriting activities from a number of separately administered initiatives.

The structure of the program remains similar to the Bougainville Partnership’s previous program, but with updated outcomes as follows:

Pillar 1 - Capable institutions

1. GoPNG and ABG institutions are able to carry out high priority tasks that support Bougainville’s development and the post-referendum dialogue: Supporting defined tasks connected with the development of essential institutions, the draw-down of powers, Post-Referendum Dialogue and/or an aligned road map that leads towards greater autonomy.

Pillar 2 - Economic development

2. ABG and business associations jointly plan and implement initiatives to improve the private sector environment for inclusive economic development: Measures to improve the environment for private sector development and deepen the dialogue between the government and the private sector will be promoted through technical assistance.

3. Women and men engaged in primary production have increased incomes and benefit from inclusive associations and cooperatives: The current agricultural value chain activities will be continued, focussing on improving cocoa quality and linking producers to markets. This objective must be complemented with an economic inclusive policy and strategy that facilitates the interest of women, youth and people living with disabilities to actively participate and benefit from the economic activities. 

Pillar 3 - Stronger communities

4. Community, youth and women’s groups collaborate effectively to establish sustainable community assets, deliver services and advocate for their target groups: Formerly the peace-building component, activities will include continuation and expansion of the existing successful community grants program, initiatives to provide skills and foster networks for youth, and community infrastructure.

Pillar Crosscutting Outcome:

5. Women increasingly participate in decision making and take on leadership roles in civic, economic and political spaces: The program will use the entry points from its range of activities to promote women’s leadership.

About the Opportunity 

The Procurement Officer (the Officer) will support the BP Finance & Procurement Manager in executing the procurement requirements of the BP. 

The Officers will facilitate and support program procurement and contracting activities, while ensuring compliance with Abt and APSP operational systems, procedures and practices, particularly in relation to financial controls, procurement and administration.

The Officer will demonstrate a visible and systematic commitment to achieving gender equality through the APSP and for achieving against agreed gender equality performance objectives.

Key Responsibilities 

Reporting to the BP Finance & Procurement Manager, the Officers specific responsibilities will include:

Procurement:

• Work closely with the members of the BP and Abt Procurement Units and support the end-to-end management of major and complex or high-risk minor procurement activities and associated contract management and provide administrative support as required.
• Support the provision of technical procurement advice to partnership teams in relation to procurement activities, form of approach to market and best modality for achieving desired outcomes.
• Support the provision of advice and guidance on procurement processes and contract administration and management including compliance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and laws and standards relevant to procurement activities.
• Assist with in-country contracting and associated procurement processes in accordance with the Program Operations Manual.
• Maintain the program Contracts and Procurement Register and other relevant registers and assist with associated reporting.
• Assist in the management and advancement of program operation compliance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and laws and standards relevant to procurement activities.
• Undertake due diligence and co-ordinate safeguarding assessments to support contracting processes.
• Support process and systems improvements for procurement and contracting activities and assist with development of procurement templates and tools where required.
• Assist in compliance with the Abt Associates Procurement policy, invoice payment processes, and other relevant policies and procedures relating to procurement and contracts.
• Ensure effective filing and accurate document and data control across the BP.
• Support the BP team in identification and mitigation of risk.
• Identify and report any cases of suspected fraud or actual directly to the Finance & Operations Lead and/or Abt Compliance section.
• Work closely with Bougainville and Port Moresby Head Office to implement anti-fraud and zero tolerance to corruption leading practice across BP activities.

Other 

• Build effective relationships with the Abt Associate’s clients, staff, contractors and stakeholders as required.

• Ensure compliance with all aspects of the Operations Manual.

• Any other duties as requested by the BP Finance & Procurement Manager.

   

Specific Deliverables

• Delivery of agreed activities in accordance with the approved Work Plan and as approved by the BP Finance & Procurement Manager.

• All risk and fraud issues are proactively identified, reported, and managed following corporate and DFAT policies and procedures

• Developing and reporting against the Operations Manual 

• Effective management of reporting officers and stakeholder relationships

Key working relationships 

Bougainville Partnership

• Finance & Procurement Manager
• Finance & Operations Lead
• Procurement Officers (Arawa and Buka)
• Finance Coordinators (Arawa and Buka)
• Finance Officers (Arawa and Buka)
• Procurement Unit (Port Moresby) 

Other:

Service Providers

About You:

Qualifications

• Appropriate qualifications i.e. degree or relevant qualifications in administration, business, finance or a related discipline

Knowledge 

• Demonstrated understanding of procurement and financial management procedures

• Knowledge of grants/contracts, operational compliance, and project cycle management

Skills/Experience

• Three years relevant experience in administration or financial management in support of program delivery within complex environments.

• Demonstrated ability to proactively deliver results for the program.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-cultural team.

• Excellent administrative and operational skills and experience, including working knowledge of Microsoft Excel

• Good communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent time management and organisational skills.

• High level of attention to detail.

• Punctual, responsible and reliable.

Personal Attributes

• Delivers Results
• Builds Internal and External Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty.
• Develops People
• Communicates Readily
• Exceptional Planning
• Demonstrates Sound Financial and Business-Related Practices

• Builds Teams and Cooperation

• Promotes Technical Excellence and Quality

• Promotes Diversity Acts as a Role Model

• Solution Focused

• Goal Orientated

   

How to Apply

Please ensure to address the Key Selection Criteria (About You) in your cover letter, and submit your application online, along with your CV as a single document.

Applications must be submitted personally by individuals only. Applications submitted by a company or organization will not be accepted. 

The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt. 

We welcome and thank all applications; however only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Closing Date:  Friday 10^th April 2026 (5pm, local time) 

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