Development Pathways

Program Officer - Cambodia Development Support Unit (CDSU)

Posted
1 September 2025 10:15am
Apply by
Regions
South-East and East Asia
Sectors
Administration
Operations
Summary

Position Overview 

Reporting to the Senior Program Manager, the Program Officer is a
key member of a small program team implementing the DFAT-funded Cambodia
Development Support Unit (CDSU) program. The Program Officer will support
delivery of program activities by undertaking operations, logistics, and
administrative functions. A key responsibility is procurement and contract
management of technical advisers and other sub-contracted suppliers. The
Program Officer also supports project and budget management activities and stakeholder
engagement. 

The position is based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and is a locally
recruited role. National or returning national candidates are strongly
encouraged to apply. 

Description

Program Background 

The Cambodia Development Support Unit (CDSU) is a new AUD
21.12 million eight-year program (initial 4-year contract from 2025-2029, with
extension option of 4-years to 2033). The goal is to support Cambodia’s
sustainable growth into a resilient upper-middle income country that delivers
inclusive growth for all Cambodian citizens. The program objective is to raise
the quality of programming and improve the efficiency of Australia’s
development cooperation portfolio in Cambodia. To achieve this, CDSU consists
of two pillars:  

  1. the Aid Advisory Services pillar will procure local and
    international advisers to provide technical advice to the Australian Phnom Penh
    Embassy (Post) on development programming and priority thematic areas (such as
    gender equality, disability, social inclusion, climate, localisation, and
    governance, among others). This will include Long-Term Advisers (LTAs) embedded
    at Post and Short-Term Advisers providing targeted/ad hoc support;
    and 
  2. the Aid Enabling Services pillar will procure other
    non-advisory services and expertise to rapidly respond to emerging development
    needs identified by Post. This may include grants management (to local CSOs),
    capacity building (trainings, study tours etc.), strategic communications and
    events management, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E)
    services.  

CDSU is managed by Development Pathways (the Managing Contractor)
in partnership with Prestige Alliance (a consortium partner). The Program
Officer will be employed by Prestige. 

Development Pathways is a global consultancy delivering
international development projects for government, UN, and NGOs. We specialise
in social policy and are recognised leaders in the field of social
protection. 

Prestige Alliance (Prestige) is a Cambodian professional services
firm specialising in business consulting (business development, financial
advisory, digital marketing), program management, and tech development. 

Key Responsibilities 

Operations 

  • Undertake procurement activities, including drafting Terms of
    Reference (ToR), advertising opportunities, conducting due diligence, preparing
    selection reports, drafting sub-contracts, and ensuring compliance with all
    other DFAT procurement requirements. 
  • Raise purchase orders and process invoices (incoming and
    outgoing). 
  • Support the development and maintenance of consultant and supplier
    rosters/pools. 
  • Contract management of technical advisers and other sub-contracted
    suppliers. 
  • Contribute to developing and updating policies and procedures in
    the program Operations Manual. 

Logistics and Administration 

  • Coordinate travel for the program team and advisers. 
  • Manage the onboarding and mobilisation of new advisers,
    including coordinating orientations and pre-departure briefings, and arranging
    mobilisation logistics such as visas, insurances, and accommodation. 
  • Provide logistics and support services for LTAs embedded at Post
    on a day-to-day basis. 
  • Provide other logistics and administration functions to the
    program as needed, such as communications, procurement of program supplies,
    ensuring proper record-keeping for all aspects of CDSU, and maintaining
    filesharing/document management systems. 

Project and Budget Management 

  • Participate in program planning, activity development, and
    reflection sessions, including contributing to developing the annual plan,
    budget, and annual report. 
  • Track and forecast program expenditure, and prepare financial
    reports. 
  • Support Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) activities, such
    as collecting and tracking data on program performance indicators. 
  • Provide secretariat services to program management meetings 
  • Support the convening of, and provide secretariat functions to,
    CDSU’s Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Committee

Project Delivery 

  • Contribute to drafting Project/Activity Descriptions based on DFAT
    requests. 
  • Relationship management, and engagement of, local CSO grantees and
    support for other grants management activities, as needed. 
  • Event management and/or provide logistical support for in-country
    trainings and other events. 

Undertake other reasonable duties, as needed. 

Selection Criteria 

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Experience 

  • Bachelor’s Degree 
  • 6+ years relevant experience in a similar role (operations and/or
    project management in international development) 
  • Experience coordinating procurement processes and contract
    management, including ensuring compliance with government funder requirements
    (experience with DFAT programs highly preferred) 
  • Excellent written communication skills, particularly, the ability
    to draft clear, accurate, and concise documents for procurement (e.g. ToRs) and
    contracting (e.g. description of services / Scope of Work for
    subcontracts). 
  • Experience supporting finance and budget management processes,
    particularly invoicing, expenditure tracking, and forecasting 
  • Strong project management background, with demonstrable experience
    developing workplans, monitoring progress, and reporting 
  • Demonstrated ability to manage diverse stakeholder relationships
    (funders, government, consultants, CSOs, suppliers, program partners
    etc.) 
  • Professional fluency in both Khmer and English 

Desirable Skills and Experience 

  • Understanding of DFAT requirements, including (but not limited to)
    Australia’s Commonwealth Procurement Rules 
  • Grant management experience 
  • Event management and/or communications experience 
  • Familiarity with the local CSO landscape in Cambodia 

Personal Attributes 

  • Committed to GEDSI 
  • Proactive problem solver 
  • Highly organised 
  • Exceptional attention to detail 
  • Ability to work under pressure 
  • Excellent interpersonal skills 
  • Professional integrity 

Work Environment 

  • Infrequent travel (occasional domestic travel may be
    required) 
  • Occasional need to work outside of regular working hours -
    mornings or evenings - depending on operational needs (e.g. to join calls with
    Australia- and/or UK-based teams, or to support urgent DFAT request) 
  • Office-based, with flexible work arrangements 

Employment may be contingent on holding or being able to obtain
DFAT security clearance. This will be discussed and confirmed during the
selection process. 

Closing Date: Monday, 15 September 2025,
11:59 AEST, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please submit
your applications (CV and Cover Letter) to info@prestigealliance.com.

 

Development Pathways is committed to providing equal opportunities and a work environment that values diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and support diversity and are committed to providing a work environment that is inclusive and free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on individual qualifications and abilities without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, family or parental status, or disability status. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, female applicants, and people with a disability who meet the requirements of this position are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application.