Scale-Up Program Manager

The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme is a signature initiative for the Australian Government that enables workers from 9 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and Timor- Leste to work in priority sectors in Australia. The Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program’s (PLMSP) role is to provide the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and governments in 9 PICs and Timor-Leste with support to enable workers to access PALM scheme in inclusive ways that maximise the benefits for the workers and national economies while minimising risks from labour mobility participation. Palladium is contracted to deliver PLMSP on behalf of DFAT.

This Opportunity

The Scale-Up Program Manager (SPM), will be embedded in the Labour Sending Units (LSUs) of the National Directorate for Overseas Employment, DNEE; of the Secretariate of State for Vocational Training and Employment, SEFOPE. The SPM will support the Engagement Manager in the delivery of the Scale up activities to increase the number of Timorese workers joining the PALM scheme. The SPM will support LSU engagement with DFAT, Australian Approved Employers (AEs), training organisations, INGOs, NGOs and service providers contracted to deliver activities under the DFAT approved

This is two-year opportunity with the potential for extension

Primary Responsibilities

Responsible for the timely delivery of the scale up activities approved by DFAT in the tasking note
Responsible for the financial management of the scale up budget in coordination with the PLMSP Finance and Operations Team
Responsible for the day-to-day management and performance management of PLMSP staff employed under the scale up
Work with the PLMSP Engagement Manager as well as PLMSP and LSU staff in the management of service providers contracted to deliver activities under the scale up
Work collaboratively with other PLMSP streams including worker and family preparedness, communications, pilots, In-Country Recruitment Database (IRD), and Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) to support project activities
Ensure strong coordination and effective communication between the LSU, implementing partners, DFAT, SEFOPE and PLMSP staff in Australia
Support the LSU, and in collaboration with the PLMSP communications team where applicable, with their marketing, communications, awareness and advocacy projects to inform the public, communities, workers, and key LM stakeholders about Circular Labour Mobility and the PALM project
Participate as a member of the PLMSP Timor-Leste Senior Management Team and contribute to planning and reporting activities
Understand the implication of project risk and support its identification, management and mitigation
Develop and maintain stakeholder relationships across assignments and maintain professional, respectful and effective relationships with your colleagues
Create, promote and maintain an equitable, diverse and inclusive work environment through respecting the views of others, listening with empathy and resolving differences in a positive and constructive manner through applying effective conflict resolution techniques
Monitor project expenditure, manage cash flow to project accounts and advise Senior Operations Manager of any issues
Assist with drafting policies and procedures relating to project financial management

We are seeking an individual who has:

Tertiary qualifications in international development, project management and/or a relevant discipline or; an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education
7-10 years’ work experience in similar project support or management roles
Has experience in carrying out large RFQs (Requests for Quotations) and EOI (Expressions of Interest) for goods and services; preferably under DFAT funded projects
Has a strong understanding of the available training options and partner organisations in Timor Leste
Has a sound knowledge of the PALM Scheme and its demands
Excellent English written and oral communications skills with a high level of proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and web browsers
Advanced research and analytical skills
Financial and commercial acumen, including excellent skills in Excel.
Demonstrated relationship management skills, including the ability to work across a broader team and with external stakeholders

We are committed to building a diverse, geographically dispersed workforce to maximize our support. We encourage applications from candidates from Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste, and across Australia. You must have valid Australian or country specific work rights to be considered for this position – visa sponsorship is not available.

We strongly encourage people with disability to apply. Disclosing about your disability will not negatively affect your application. Please tell us as much as you feel comfortable for us to work with you about the appropriate adjustments that you might need. If you would like further information or assistance with this, please contact recruitment@plmsp.com.au