Senior Coordinator, Operations- New Colombo Plan (NCP)
The Senior Coordinator, Operations drives the effective delivery and continuous improvement of NCP PSU operations spanning procurement, systems, HR and governance while supporting program leads and fostering strong stakeholder relationships.
- Contract Duration: July 2026- June 2029 (3-year role)
- Location: Adelaide, Australia
- Reports to: Deputy Team Leader (Program Enabling)
About Palladium
Palladium is a global development and consulting firm, part of the GISI Consulting Group, working alongside some of the world’s leading project management and engineering organisations. We partner with governments, businesses, investors and communities to design and deliver complex programs that create lasting impact. With a presence across more than 90 countries, Palladium offers the opportunity to work on meaningful challenges, alongside talented colleagues, in environments where your work can truly make a difference.
About New Colombo Plan (NCP) Program Support Unit (PSU)
The New Colombo Plan (NCP) plays a key role in supporting the Australian Government’s objectives in building Asia capability. It aims to lift the Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to undertake study, language learning and internships in the Indo-Pacific.
NCP alumni contribute their Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy to Australia’s enduring engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. This is achieved through three complementary grants programs: the Scholarship Program, Mobility Program and Semester Program.
The NCP is administered by Palladium on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) via the Program Support Unit (PSU) under the Australia Awards Global Support Mechanism (AAGSM). The AAGSM provides operational and technical support services to DFAT’s International Education and Scholarships Branch, with two End of Investment Outcomes (EOIOs):
- EOIO 1 - Operational Support: High quality and efficient administrative and standard business support services provided to DFAT.
EOIO 2: Technical Support: High quality, coherent, consistent and fit for purpose technical support services that also promote gender equality, disability and social inclusion outcomes throughout DFAT’s international scholarship programs network.
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The NCP PSU supports DFAT’s New Colombo Plan Secretariat (NCS) with high-quality grant administration and management consistent with the Commonwealth Grant Rules and Principles. Support service delivery includes end-to-end grants cycle and funds management, as well as technical support in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), alumni engagement, communications, events management, business sector engagement and risk management.
Purpose of position
The Senior Coordinator Operations reports to the Deputy Team Leader (Program Enabling) and works closely with the Finance Manager, and other corporate support service colleagues to ensure NCP PSU operations are fully established and functional, particularly in relation to procurement and contract management, systems and knowledge management, human resources and secretariat support. The Senior Coordinator will support program leads and their teams in the implementation of these functions.
The position will support the DTL (Program Enabling) to maintain a strong working relationship with the New Colombo Plan Secretariat (NCS) in DFAT, as well as with stakeholders from the Australian and international university sector, and others as required.
Key Responsibilities
The Senior Coordinator, Operations will be responsible for:
Operational Coordination & Improvement
- Implementation and continuous improvement of operational policies, procedures and systems across NCP, including travel, fraud control, budgeting and workforce planning.
- Maintain and support the application of consistent, fit‑for‑purpose Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across the Program, working with program leads as necessary.
Systems and Knowledge Management
- Implement and manage operational aspects of internal program systems in alignment with strategic direction set by the Deputy Team Leader.
- Lead the day‑to‑day governance and effective use of internal program systems (including document management platforms, data systems and collaboration tools), ensuring consistency, accessibility and compliance with program requirements.
Finance, Procurement & Contract Support
- Coordinate program procurement activities in line with the Annual Work Plan and procurement plan, supporting delivery across all program areas.
- Provide junior staff with training on procurement processes and systems to promote best practice and compliance.
- Ensure procurement and contracting activities across the Program are in line with Commonwealth Procurement Rules and Palladium procedures.
Reporting & Quality Assurance
- Coordinate the preparation of operational inputs into program and contractual reporting, ensuring timelines, quality standards and stakeholder requirements are met.
- Assist with quality assurance of operational processes, documentation and data to support accurate reporting and informed decision‑making.
Operational Risk Management
- Maintain and monitor program level risk registers, ensuring risks are regularly reviewed, updated and aligned with program risk frameworks
- Coordinate regular risk reporting cycles, including tracking mitigation actions and escalating issues to the Deputy Team Leader as required.
Secretariat & Governance Support
- Lead coordination of operational meetings and governance forums, including planning schedules, setting agendas and ensuring timely preparation of materials.
Human Resources
Oversee day‑to‑day human resource operations, ensuring recruitment, onboarding, performance management and off‑boarding processes are effectively implemented and aligned with policy.
Training, Capability & Systems
- Coordinate the development and delivery of operational training and guidance in line with Palladium and DFAT requirements.
Support the rollout of induction and refresher training across the Program to strengthen operational consistency and compliance.
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Other Responsibilities
- Perform other duties as reasonably required by the Senior Leadership team or DFAT, consistent with the role and experience.
- Comply with and promote DFAT policies across all aspects of implementation, including Gender Equality Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), safeguarding, fraud and anti‑corruption, Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), child protection, and environmental and social safeguards.
- Undertake local travel as required.
For all information on roles and responsibilities, see Terms of Reference (TOR): Click Here
About You
We are seeking an individual who will bring:
- Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education.
- At least 5 years’ relevant professional experience, including work with DFAT or other development agencies, encompassing program financial management, contract and procurement management, stakeholder engagement, risk, fraud and compliance management, and the development and interpretation of project plans.
- Highly developed written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong financial acumen, with the ability to interpret, analyse and report on financial information.
- Sound problem‑solving and decision‑making capability, with a practical and solutions‑focused approach.
- Demonstrated people management skills, including the ability to mentor, coach, lead, develop and evaluate staff.
- Proven ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to operate diplomatically and with cultural sensitivity across government, private sector and community stakeholders.
- Experience working in scholarships programs will be highly regarded.
How 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: Applications close on Midnight 19th June 2026.
This position is open to residents with authority to live and work in Australia. Rates of pay are based on local labour standards.
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 or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at [email protected] 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.
