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:
- 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
- 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.co
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.
