Program Background

DT Global has been engaged by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to manage the Building Community Engagement in Papua New Guinea (BCEP) Program. BCEP represents a significant investment in promoting participatory democracy in PNG, with a goal to strengthen citizen-government engagement for improved service delivery and provision of public goods. This will be achieved by pursuing three end outcomes:   

1. Selected state and non-state actors collaborate effectively to tackle targeted development problems. 
2. State actors and Churches deliver development solutions which promote GEDSI and better meet the needs of women and marginalised groups. 
3. Selected non-state actors are more effective, inclusive, and ready to sustain successful BCEP-supported approaches. 
    

The BCEP program consists of five distinct, but inter-related components managed as an integrated whole, and implemented using a portfolio of partners: 

• Component 1: Coalitions for Change  
• Component 2: Media Partnerships 
• Component 3: Social Accountability Partnerships 
• Component 4: Church Partnerships 
• Component 5: Government of PNG Partnerships
   

BCEP is a complex and ambitious program, that seeks to influence broad changes, working with a wide variety of partners and capabilities. As BCEP has matured, the communications and public diplomacy requirements for the program have increased and require greater strategic engagement.
 

About DT Global

DT Global is shaping a future where sustainable development and innovation empower individuals, communities, and nations. We work in partnership with local stakeholders to foster inclusive prosperity, social equity, and environmental stewardship. Our global team of 2,500 staff and experts work in over 90 countries to solve complex problems in the peacebuilding, governance, economic development, environment, and human development sectors. With a track record of technical excellence and more than 60 years of international development experience and relationships, we deliver innovative solutions that transform lives.

For more information, please see www.dt-global.com  

The Role 

The primary objective of the Strategic Communications Director is to develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive communication strategy that aligns with the goal and end of program outcomes of the BCEP program. The Director will manage a small communications and events team to ensure effective communication with stakeholders, enhance the program’s visibility, and support advocacy efforts.                    

BCEP is seeking to engage a full-time long-term communications specialist with extensive communications and public diplomacy experience within the development sector.

• Lead on the update of BCEP’s Communications and Public Diplomacy Strategy to align with recent directions from the Australian High Commission’s public diplomacy team.
• Work across the BCEP program and its partners to identify and prioritize communication and public diplomacy opportunities (and address challenges) from the work being implemented. Oversee the update of the program’s public diplomacy and events calendar and ensure it is regularly shared with the relevant Australian High Commission teams so they are aware and can actively participate.
• Lead on the design of public diplomacy, communications products, and events and oversee the communication team’s implementation of the activities, ensuring quality products are developed in a timely manner that align with branding requirements and follow diplomatic protocols. 
• Advise BCEP and its partners on DFAT’s communications and public diplomacy needs and their evolving priorities.
• Lead on the review and update of guidance for BCEP and its partners on communication and public diplomacy requirements and protocols (including the consistent use of Aus-PNG Partnership branding).
• Lead on liaising with the Australian High Commission Post and Canberra on the different methodologies and approaches employed by BCEP and its partners and the reasons for different methods and communicate learning and impact.
• Advise BCEP and its partners on how to more effectively articulate important concepts (for example, participatory democracy, social accountability, advocacy, policy influencing, gender equality and social inclusion) and then communicate these concepts to a diverse audience (including individuals with limited literacy and/or who speak various local language in PNG).
• Advise BCEP and its partners on how to improve the quality of locally developed behavior change campaigns including the associated messaging and the monitoring and evaluation of these campaigns.
• Provide guidance on how to better monitor, evaluate and learn from the program’s communication and public diplomacy efforts.
• Contribute to strengthening internal communication and coordination between the BCEP program Australian High Commission Post, including actively participating in the annual ways of working workshops (partnership brokering).
• Performance manage and mentor the program’s communications team ensure outputs are high-quality and delivered in accordance with the team’s work plan, and to improve their skills and knowledge of strategic communications.
• Support the implementation of BCEP’s Locally Led Development Framework.

• Contribute to program annual work planning and reporting requirements and risk management.                

   

About You

Selection Criteria

Essential Experience and Knowledge

• Tertiary qualification in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field. 
• At least 15 years of experience in strategic communications, with some of that time in the development sector. 
• Proven experience working with DFAT or similar development agencies. 
• Leadership experience including mentoring and building capacity of direct reports.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines. 
• Strong project management and organisational skills. 

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. 

   

Desirable 

• Experience working with civil society on governance programming.
• An understanding of ‘thinking and working politically’, adaptive management, MEL and GEDSI.
• Experience development communications products for a diverse range of stakeholders.

Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position:  https://shorter.me/Nvh5M

HOW TO APPLY
Click the 'Apply Now' button.

Please submit
1) Your CV
2) A cover letter addressing the selection criteria

APPLICATIONS CLOSE Sunday 6^th April 2025, 11:59pm Port Moresby Time/AEST

Should this role be of interest, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.  Kindly note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

DT Global is committed to child protection and safeguarding the welfare of children in the delivery of our international development programs. We are committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), and bribery prevention. DT Global is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage women, men, people with diverse backgrounds and people living with disabilities to apply. This program is funded by the Australian Government and Managed by DT Global.