- Location: Australia (Canberra or Brisbane preferred) Domestic and international travel may be required.
- Commencement: June 2026
- Duration of contract: 12 months 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 a Team Leader who will be fully accountable for the leadership, performance and delivery of the Australia Pacific Leaders Program (APLP) Program Support Unit (PSU) on behalf of DFAT.
The role will lead the PSU team, with responsibility for aligning with strategic direction, ensuring contractual and policy compliance, managing risk and resources, and delivering high‑quality outcomes aligned with DFAT direction.
The Team Leader will be the primary point of accountability and escalation for DFAT and Abt, leading complex stakeholder engagement across various delivery partners, service providers and participants. The role will require strong judgement, adaptability and the ability to manage simultaneous planned and emerging priorities in a dynamic operating environment.
Specific Responsibilities
Leadership and Program Delivery
Lead the APLP Program Support Unit (PSU) team ensuring delivery is fully aligned with DFAT policy and direction.
Support DFAT to translate priorities into coherent, prioritised and actionable delivery of planned activities.
Ensure program delivery is responsive, adaptive and informed by priorities, anticipating emerging risks, sensitivities and opportunities across Pacific contexts.
Focus on practical, delivery-oriented strategy that enables rapid mobilisation and reduces operational burden on DFAT.
DFAT Client Relationship and Representation
Act as the senior interface with DFAT, maintaining a trusted, solutions-oriented partnership focused on responsiveness and delivery.
Represent the PSU in senior engagements where required, ensuring alignment with DFAT positions and priorities.
Provide clear, concise and actionable advice to DFAT on delivery options, trade-offs, and risks, particularly in fast-moving or politically sensitive contexts.
Proactively support DFAT by anticipating needs and simplifying processes, including for leader engagement, visits and activity delivery.
Contractual, Financial and Risk Accountability
Ensure full compliance with contractual obligations under the DFAT Deed of Standing Offer and Services Orders.
Oversee financial management, procurement and resource allocation to ensure value for money and efficient delivery.
Maintain fit-for-purpose risk, safeguarding and fraud management systems that enable safe but proportionate delivery.
Ensure monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) systems generate practical insights and concise high quality reporting that demonstrate outcomes and inform adaptive delivery.
People Leadership and Organisational Performance
Lead a high-performing PSU team capable of operating across multiple countries and responding rapidly to DFAT tasking.
Set clear priorities and ways of working that emphasise responsiveness, collaboration with DFAT, and delivery discipline.
Build a team culture that is client-focused, inclusive, and grounded in Pacific contexts, with strong internal coordination across functions.
Ensure the PSU has the right surge capacity and capability mix to respond to fluctuating demand.
Make decisions on resourcing, structure, and capability requirements for the PSU.
Quality, Innovation, and Continuous Improvement
Ensure all deliverables, reporting, and outputs meet DFAT and Abt quality standards and are fit for senior decision making.
Promote adaptive management and continuous learning.
Identify practical innovations that improve speed, coherence and user experience for DFAT and participants
Ensure GEDSI, safeguarding, ethical standards and other cross cutting policy priorities are embedded pragmatically across all activities, not treated as add-ons.
About You
We are seeking an individual for this executive role who brings:
Qualifications
Graduate qualification in international development, public policy, international relations, leadership, or a related field; or equivalent senior-level experience delivering complex international programs.
Skills and Experience
Demonstrated experience delivering complex, high-profile programs in international development, government or related fields (DFAT or Pacific experience highly desirable).
Excellent understanding and commitment to DFAT aid policy priorities, compliance requirements and performance environment
Demonstrated success in leading large, multidisciplinary teams and managing delivery in politically and operationally complex environments.
Proven experience operating in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, including managing short-notice requests, competing priorities and sensitive activities and being able to adapt under pressure.
Strong track record in people-to-people engagement or relationship-based programs, including working with senior leaders across government, civil society or private sector.
Strong capability in contract, financial, and risk management with full accountability for program performance.
Experience overseeing or supporting high-level visits, events, or international engagements, with strong attention to logistics, protocol, risk, and participant experience desirable.
Strong analytical, written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate with a variety of audiences and lead the production of high-level reports.
Exceptional interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive relationships with a range of stakeholders across complex operating environments
Strong cultural and contextual awareness and understanding, preferably gained through experience working in the Pacific or a similar operating environment.
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 midnight on Sunday 7 June 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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