Grants Lead – Strongim Wok Long TVET

Grants Lead – Strongim Wok Long TVET

·   Fixed term contract up to 10 July 2028 (with possible extension)

·   Based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

·   Open to PNG national candidates only 

About Palladium

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value.  We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 2,000 employees operating in 75-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, and, most importantly, people's lives.

About PNG-Australia Strongim Wok Long TVET (SWLT)

The PNG–Australia Strongim Wok Long Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) (SWLT) program is a four-year, AUD 80 million investment by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to support Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) efforts to strengthen its TVET sector. Aligned with PNG’s national priority to build an educated and skilled workforce for resilient economic growth, SWLT aims to enhance the quality, relevance, and inclusiveness of skills development. The program supports improvements in national quality assurance systems, technical college standards, graduate employability, and Australia’s visible and trusted development partnership with PNG.

The program aligns with the broader goals of the Australia–PNG Development Partnership Plan 2024–2029, which emphasises locally led development, education investment, and inclusive growth, as well as PNG’s Higher and Technical Education Reform Act 2020.

This Opportunity

As Grants Lead you will be responsible for establishing and managing a diverse program of grants through a range of modalities that will support TVET stakeholders with additional resources to deliver demand-driven and inclusive TVET initiatives. 

This will include: 

·      Partnering with PNG’s Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) to design a range of grants streams, including:

o   Small semi-competitive seed and award grants; and

o   Medium to large competitive and client directed grants to PNG and international based organisations.

·    Ensuring that these grant streams are all designed to enhance PNG’s technical colleges’ ability to innovate and build demand driven services and provide training opportunities that are more inclusive and accessible

·      Draft and Finalise a SWLT Grants Management Framework that will document the process in which SWLT grants will be identified and approved, including how partnerships and associated grants will deliver on SWLT’s objectives. This will need to include, but is not limited to:

o   The process for defining and monitoring grant outcomes;

o   A flexible but effective approach for conducting monitoring and evaluation of grant outcomes that is proportional to different sized grants;

·     A suitable, locally appropriate method of completing due diligence on micro to small grantees; 

o   Defining how grant financial compliance and reporting requirements are setup to minimise risk potential, maximise grantee success; and

o   Alignment with DFAT Commonwealth Procurement Rules, Grant Rules and Guidelines, and DFAT and Palladium Safeguarding policies

·      Draft and prepare SWLT grant agreements with inputs from DHERST, technical advisers and DFAT as necessary, ensuring alignment with SWLT objectives and PNG – Australia branding protocols

·      Work with SWLT finance to undergo ongoing financial management of grant agreements including accurate reconciliation, forecasting and reporting of grant funds

·      Develop systems for tailored capacity development within the grant agreements, based on a structured assessment process that identifies grantee-specific priority areas for strengthening systems, skills, and performance

·      Support grantees by building on their strengths and providing tailored guidance to help them meet the expectations of their grant agreements

·      Monitor and quality assure deliverables against agreed timelines and content, including undertaking spot-checks and internal audits of grant contract management

·      Support SWLT public diplomacy efforts linked to grant delivery

·      On an as-needs basis, review and provide recommendations for improvements to internal grant processes within the program

·      Model, contribute to and support an office culture of learning and performance with colleagues, junior staff and counterparts

·      Understand and contribute to SWLT gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) objectives as relevant to this role and participate in GEDSI learning and engagement as required.

·      Adhere to DFAT and Palladium safeguarding standards and policies and commit to prevent harm, and commit to promoting safe, inclusive environments, including reporting concerns appropriately.

·      Support and uphold the organisation’s commitment to environmental sustainability, such as reducing resource use and promoting climate-friendly practices.

·      Contribute to the development and implementation of solutions that deliver value and ensure SWLT principles[1] are embedded within program delivery.

About you

You will demonstrate proven experience in the following areas:

·     Working with donor funded partnership agreements and grants schemes, particularly in leadership and systems development

·     Drafting and managing grant agreements, and management and experience in financial management, compliance systems and fraud control, acquittals and audits

·     Using grants management systems, such as SmartyGrants

·     Supporting cross-sectoral international development activities, including with partner government stakeholders in a developing context and experience working with low-capacity organisations

·     Demonstrated experience of key Australian Government aid delivery policies (including the Commonwealth Procurement Rules, Grant Rules and Guidelines and DFAT’s Safeguarding policies)

·     Demonstrated ability to work autonomously while contributing effectively within a team

·     Participation and positive engagement in diverse teams, supporting a results-driven culture of learning and inclusion

·     Demonstrated commitment to the principles of locally-led, socially inclusive, politically informed and adaptive programming.

To Apply

Please submit your application online, including your CV and brief cover letter, outlining your suitability in line with the requirements of the position.

Closing date: Saturday 25th July 2026, 11.59pm AEST

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.

Should you require any adjustments to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.

[1] SWLT will be guided by six principles that build and support locally-owned improvements in the TVET sector: i) Locally driven; ii) flexible, iterative, adaptive and evidence based; iii) Responsiveness and outcomes focussed; iv) Socially inclusive; v) Politically informed; and vi) Partnerships and visibility.