About the Opportunity

The Team Leader will have overall responsibility for successful delivery of the partnership, setting the strategy, leading, and directing a high performing team to achieve the EOPOs and providing overall management of all components. The Team Leader will oversee program quality and ensure effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), SIG, and program partners.

Specific responsibilities of the Team Leader will include:

Strategic Leadership

• Work closely with DFAT senior leadership and program managers, and the program’s leadership team to set the strategy for the partnership and be the primary leader and driver of programming and planning to deliver services, as specified in the head contract between DFAT and Abt Global (Abt).
• Communicate a clear vision and build a collaborative, high performing team to achieve program outcomes.
• Responsible for operational and technical oversight for all aspects of the program to ensure quality performance, including in respect to gender equality, diversity and social inclusion, localisation and indigenous participation.
• Coordinate and liaise with all program delivery partners of Abt for effective delivery the program. 

Stakeholder Management

• Maintain excellent, responsive relations with SIG and DFAT.
• Support DFAT to strengthen collaboration with SIG and engage on relevant issues.
• Manage and strengthen relationships with program partners ensuring their scopes of work remain relevant and responsive to program needs.
• Lead on collaboration with other Australian Government and other donor funded programs in Solomon Islands.
• Maintain an effective relationship with Abt’s Contractor Representative to ensure implementation is in alignment with Abt’s values, mission, systems, policies and procedures. 

Reporting

• Strive for outstanding results and effective communication of results and progress through reports and other documentation.
• Oversee the preparation of milestones, deliverables and other documents including bi-annual progress reports and annual plans, and ensure they are submitted on time, are of high quality and meet Head Contract and DFAT standards.
• Oversee timely implementation of the program workplan including achievement of key performance indicators.
• Oversee reporting provided by partners.
• Coordinate and oversee the preparation of Partner Performance Assessment (PPA) reports for review by Abt’s Contractor Representative.
• Oversee the implementation of the Program Exit Strategy and lead the development of the Handover Plan and/or Completion Report. 

Program and Performance Management

• In partnership with DFAT and SIG, implement the program in line with its strategic direction, budget and workplans to achieve the EOPOs.
• In partnership with DFAT and SIG, support the program to implement program governance mechanism as required. 
• In partnership with DFAT and SIG, coordinate on risk management and adaption to maintain the program’s relevance and responsiveness to SIG and other stakeholders. 
• Drive innovation in the program, building upon existing and fostering new partnerships and opportunities.
• Ensure adherence to the program’s budget, timeline, overall value for money and quality in delivery.
• Identify and manage emerging and existing risks to program effectiveness. Ensure risks are captured and reported on in accordance with Abt’s Enterprise Risk Management framework and communicated to DFAT at regular (quarterly) intervals.
• Ensure that monitoring and evaluation and communications can track performance of the program and effectively report on results.
• Participate in internal and external program reviews as required.
• Establish oversight and provide support to ongoing program activities and grants.

People Management 

• Lead, guide, mentor and manage the performance of the program management and technical teams, and recruitment of technical and operational personnel; and develop and maintain a productive work environment and positive organisational culture.
• Develop and implement high standards in terms of work outcomes and behaviours; develop individuals through ongoing guidance, mentoring and coaching and promote team behaviours of integrity, trust and respect in accordance with company and program values.

About You

We are seeking an individual for this strategic position who has the following:

• Degree in a relevant field such as economics, financial management, governance, international development, or public policy.
• Substantial senior management experience implementing a development assistance program (Governance preferred but not essential) in a developing country context, preferably in the Pacific region.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and proven experience in relationship management with high level decision makers in a politically sensitive manner - including donors, program partners and key stakeholders throughout the region.
• Ability to build effective teams, lead collaboration and cooperation and ensure program coherence.
• Familiarity with Australian government processes and program management approaches preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a program to meet obligations and timelines with quality written deliverables and processes.
• Emotional intelligence and integrity.
• Thinks creatively solves problems, deals with uncertainty and adapts showing good judgement and analysis.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Experience working in the Pacific region in a similar operating environment highly desirable.
• Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people with sexual diversity or disability, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single requirement for a position. At Abt we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every role requirement, we encourage you to apply in any case. You may be just the right candidate for this or for other roles. 

How to Apply

Applications close on 9 August 2024 at 5:00pm AEST. 

Please apply online including a cover letter and up-to-date comprehensive CV as a single document, addressing how you meet the requirements of this role.