- Location: Australia (Brisbane or Canberra preferred) - Domestic and international travel may be required.
- Commencement: August 2026
- Duration of contract: August to 30 June 2027
- Open to those with full work rights for Australia
About the Program
The Australia Pacific Leaders Program (APLP) is an Australian Government initiative that seeks to empower current and emerging Pacific leaders to deliver outcomes in their communities, strengthen their skills and build relationships with Australian agencies and institutions.
Activities include study tours, high-level visits, professional development and support for locally led projects, including assistance to deliver community-level initiatives.
APLP aims to:
empower leaders to deliver practical outcomes in their communities
build stronger, long-term relationships between Pacific leaders and Australia
strengthen leadership capability across the Pacific.
About the Program Support Unit (PSU)
The Program Support Unit (PSU) supports DFAT to deliver the program. Abt Global is contracted to deliver the PSU.
The PSU provides the practical support needed to deliver activities including planning, logistics, procurement and coordination. This includes supporting DFAT-led study tours and visits to Australia, coordinating training and events and supporting the delivery of grants and other program activities.
The PSU works closely with DFAT in Canberra and Posts across the Pacific to ensure activities are delivered to a high standard.
About the Opportunity
Abt are seeking to engage an Operations Lead responsible for leading the operations function of the APLP Program Support Unit (PSU), ensuring the systems, teams and processes required to deliver program activities are effective, scalable and responsive to DFAT priorities.
Reporting to the Team Leader and working in close partnership with the Program Activity Lead, the Operations Lead oversees all operational aspects of program delivery, including travel, logistics, procurement, finance, risk, safeguarding and information management. The role leads a multidisciplinary operations team and ensures the PSU can effectively respond to both planned and short-notice DFAT tasking across multiple countries and activities.
The Operations Lead is accountable for establishing and maintaining high-performing operational systems that enable efficient, compliant and high-quality delivery. The role plays a critical function in reducing the operational burden on DFAT while supporting the successful implementation of APLP activities at scale. The Operations Lead has overall responsibility for program risk management, including fraud control and safeguarding.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership of the Operations Function
- Lead and manage the PSU operations team, including travel, logistics frameworks that supports safe and efficient delivery of activities, finance functions.
- In collaboration with the Program Activity Lead, plan and allocate operational resources across activities based on demand, priorities, budget and DFAT tasking.
- Maintain surge capacity arrangements to respond to periods of high activity and short-notice requests.
- Establish clear roles, workflows, service standards and accountability mechanisms across the operations team.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and client-focused service delivery.
Operational systems and delivery enablement
- Establish, maintain and continuously improve core operational systems to support program delivery
- Implement integrated systems that provide visibility of activities, participants, travel, procurement, budgets and risks.
- Ensure operational systems provide accurate and timely information to support decision-making by DFAT and the PSU.
- Drive process improvements that enhance efficiency, compliance, user experience and value for money.
Budget, finance and resource management
- Lead operational budget management and financial oversight for APLP activities in collaboration with the Finance Manager and Program Activity Lead
- Work closely with the Team Leader and Program Activity Lead to develop, monitor and update budgets, forecasts and cashflow projections aligned with delivery plans and DFAT tasking.
- Ensure operational decision ‑ making is informed by budget availability, cost controls and value for money considerations
- Track and analyse expenditure against budgets, identifying variances and implementing corrective actions as required
- Support accurate, timely financial reporting, acquittals and performance reporting to DFAT and Abt
- Ensure financial systems, approvals and processes are compliant with DFAT and Abt financial policies and delegations
- Contribute to planning and prioritisation discussions to ensure resources are allocated effectively across concurrent activities
Risk, compliance, safeguarding, and performance management
- Lead program-level risk management, including maintenance of risk registers, risk reporting and implementation of mitigation strategies.
- Support teams to identify, manage and escalate operational, financial, reputational and delivery risks.
- Ensure compliance with DFAT and Abt policies and procedures, including financial management, procurement, safeguarding and fraud control requirements.
- Provide oversight of safeguarding risk management, with particular focus on partner engagement and community-level activities.
- Coordinate audits, spot checks, reviews and the implementation of recommendations.
- Monitor operational performance and drive continuous improvement through data, lessons learned and stakeholder feedback.
Tasking, workflow and delivery coordination
- Manage operational workflows to respond to a mix of planned and ad hoc DFAT tasking
- Translate activity requirements into practical operational delivery plans in collaboration with the Program Activity Lead.
- Coordinate across program teams (activities, travel, MEL, communications, grants) to ensure integrated delivery
- Monitor delivery progress and resolve operational bottlenecks to ensure timely implementation
Travel, logistics and participant services
- Working closely with the Abt Senior Travel Manger on Abt travel systems and arrangements.
- Oversee travel and logistics for participants, delegations and activities
- Ensure high-quality, safe and inclusive participant experiences, including pastoral care and accessibility
- Oversee and manage risk assessments, safeguarding requirements and incident response processes
Procurement Activities
- Oversee procurement processes for services, providers and logistics in line with DFAT and Abt requirements
- Support operational delivery of locally led project mechanisms, including administration, compliance and tracking
- Ensure systems are efficient, proportionate and minimise administrative burden while maintaining compliance
Stakeholder coordination and support to DFAT
- Build and maintain productive working relationships with DFAT, Australian Posts and key delivery partners.
- Provide operational advice to inform activity planning, feasibility assessments and delivery approaches.
- Contribute to program reporting, briefings, governance processes and performance updates as required.
General program management
Support the Team Leader to ensure APLP responsibilities are delivered on time, within budget and in accordance with DFAT and Abt policies and procedures.
Contribute to planning, reporting and performance management requirements across the program.
Provide quantitative and qualitative information to support DFAT reporting requirements and contractual obligations.
Any other duties as directed by the Team Leader, APLP.
About You
We are seeking an individual for this role who brings:
Qualifications
- Tertiary qualification in international development, public administration, business, logistics, or a related field (desirable)
- Minimum 10 years’ demonstrated experience managing operations for large, complex programs, preferably within DFAT or similar international development contexts
- Proven experience establishing and managing operational systems for travel, logistics, procurement and program delivery at scale
- Strong experience managing high-volume, fast-paced delivery environments, including responding to short-notice or high-priority requests
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, including oversight of finance, travel and logistics functions
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with government stakeholders and manage complex relationships
- Experience working in or with Pacific Island countries, with an understanding of cultural and operational contexts
Skills and Experience
Essential
Highly desirable
- Strong understanding of DFAT systems, processes and compliance requirements, including safeguarding, risk and procurement
- Experience working in or with Pacific Island countries, with an understanding of cultural and operational contexts
Don’t meet every 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 Associates 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 across our programs.
How to Apply
Applications close 11:59PM on Sunday, 26 July 2026 .
Please apply online through Abt Careers addressing the Key Selection Criteria (See: About You) in your cover letter, and submit your application online, along with your CV as a single document.
Applications must be submitted personally by individuals only. Applications submitted by a company or organisation will not be accepted.
About Abt
Abt Global Australia (Abt) is a mission-driven company working in partnership with governments and communities to help create a more equitable, prosperous and sustainable future for people worldwide.
Drawing on 60 years’ experience, Abt designs, tests and applies evidence-based approaches to development challenges – from design to implementation and technical assistance through to evaluation. Abt has expertise in governance, economic growth, health, education, gender equality, disability and social inclusion, climate and environment, monitoring, evaluation and learning, and infrastructure.
Abt manages complex development programs on behalf of clients including the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Asia Development Bank, and various Australian state governments. These programs are based in over 15 countries in the Asia Pacific region.
Commitment to Equity
Abt Global values individuality and celebrates difference with a strong commitment to diversity, equality, racial equity, gender, and disability inclusion. We strongly encourage people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply for this position. We offer flexible work arrangements and a culturally safe environment for staff members from diverse backgrounds. We provide equitable opportunities for local talent who apply for this position and reasonable accommodation for people with a disability.
Commitment to Safeguarding
We are deeply committed to safeguarding, to protect and prevent harm and abuse to individuals we work for and who work for us. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, child abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation in any form, and expect everyone to be treated with respect and dignity.
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