• Job Description

  Req#: 104446
  • Location: Port Moresby, PNG
  • Commencement: January 2024
  • Duration of contract: Up to February 2026
  • Open to PNG Citizens only

  About the Program

  A stable, prosperous, peaceful and resilient PNG is critical to Australia's interests. Australia is PNG's largest development partner, it’s main partner on economic and security issues.

  The Australia PNG Subnational Program (APSP) is an enabling mechanism comprised of three separately designed programs including; Bougainville Partnership (BP), Kokoda Initiative Partnership (KIP) and the Western Province Partnership (WP). Reporting through the APSP Performance Assessment Framework (PAF), each program has its own program logic, theory of change, operational approach and separate monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

  There are five high level outcomes which span all programs:

  • Output one: Effective gender-centered programs delivered for Bougainville, Kokoda, and Western Province
  • Output two: Support DFAT to coordinate Australian inputs in selected subnational contexts
  • Output three: Technical assistance targeted at key institutions and policy reforms
  • Output four: Rapid programming of resources in support of DFAT priorities
  • Output five and six: Analysis, learning, and adaptation

  Managed by Abt Associates under a single contract from 2022 to 2026, the centralised approach is aimed to ensure and drive value for money by realising back office efficiencies, ensure gender is consistently at the forefront of each program and deliver opportunities for learning and adaptation between programs.

  About the Opportunity

  The Safeguarding Specialist is responsible for ensuring consistent implementation of Abt Associates’ Child Protection (CP), Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) and Fraud policies and procedures across all Abt PNG operations and programming. This includes supporting grant and subcontracted partners and service-providers to meet Abt Associate’s and DFAT’s CP, PSEAH and Safeguarding and Fraud requirements.

  Key Responsibilities

  The Safeguarding Specialist is responsible for maintaining, improving and providing oversight of safeguarding procedures across all Abt Associates programs in PNG, including:

  Training and capacity building:

  • Develop safeguarding training materials for both face-to-face and online training modalities, including minimum orientation training for all staff and specialised training for safeguarding focal points
  • Conduct specialised training for safeguarding focal points in delivery of induction training, risk assessment processes, and assessing and monitoring partner compliance.
  • Deliver safeguarding training and incident management training for partners and contracted service providers, tailored to program activities and context.
  • Monitor and mentor Abt safeguarding staff to ensure consistent implementation of safeguarding procedures across all programs.
  • Lead Abt Safeguarding Community of Practice to share knowledge, identify emerging trends and challenges, and implement continuous improvement to safeguarding systems across Abt programs in PNG

  Risk assessment and mitigation:

  • Conduct safeguarding (child protection, PSEAH and fraud) risk assessments on grant agreement and contracts with partners and service providers
  • Advise Legal and Contracts Unit on the inclusion of safeguarding compliance requirements and mitigating actions in contracts and service agreements.
  • Monitor implementation of risk assessment processes by Safeguarding staff across all Abt programs in PNG
  • Work with Abt Associates Safeguarding and Risk and Assurance staff to ensure continuous improvements in the Safeguarding Risk assessment systems, including online risk management portal.

  Compliance:

  • Communicate changes to safeguarding policy and procedures, directly and through Safeguarding focal staff, to all Abt PNG staff, partners and contracted service providers to ensure awareness, understanding and consistency of application of the policies.
  • Monitor Abt staff (including national and international staff and advisers) completion of safeguarding training and compliance with Safeguarding policies and Code of Conduct
  • Review and assess partner and contracted service providers’ safeguarding policies and procedures, and develop Corrective Action plans to ensure compliance with minimum standards
  • Liaise with partners and contracted service providers to develop and maintain safeguarding procedures that meet minimum standards.
  • Maintain and monitor register of grant agreements and contracts assessed as medium or high Safeguarding risks, including maintaining compliance evidence for audits.
  • Proactively contribute to ongoing systems improvement through strengthening existing mechanisms (such as the online partner portal) and developing additional mechanisms (such as community-based complaints mechanisms and reporting procedures)

  Incident Management:

  • Serve as the central contact point and respond to any reports or disclosures of child exploitation, sexual exploitation and/or abuse, including potential non-compliance with Safeguarding Policy or Code of conduct by Abt staff, partners or contracted service providers
  • Support end to end safeguarding incident management process with a victim/survivor-centred approach and provide referral to in-country support services
  • Support GEDSI and Safeguarding Lead and liaise with Abt Senior Safeguarding and WHSS Specialist to ensure timely report to DFAT within required timeframes (48 hours for potential child abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment of children or adults, within 5 business days for safeguarding policy non-compliance)

  Internal stakeholder management:

  • Provide information and advice for Abt Program Management team on overall safeguarding management system, to ensure consistent standards applied across all Abt programs in PNG
  • Maintain and provide safeguarding data for internal and external audits and other reporting as required.
  • Other reasonable duties as required by GEDSI and Safeguarding Lead.

  Specific Deliverables

  • Support the implementation of Service Delivery Improvement Projects (SDIP) and provide progress reports of activities when required.
  • Ensure outputs, workplan, and reports are delivered on time and to a high standard as agreed with the SNA.
  • Provide high quality progress reports in line with the Partnership and Abt Associates guidelines and standards.
  • Ensures the integration of Gender, Equality, Disability, Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and Democratic Governance approaches into all field activities and project plans.

  Key working relationships

  • APSP GEDSI and Safeguarding Lead
  • Abt Risk & Assurance Lead
  • Abt Senior Safeguarding and WHS&S Specialist
  • All Abt PNG Programs Safeguarding staff
  • Abt PNG Program Leads
  • Abt Operations Lead
  • Relevant AHC Representatives
  • Relevant GoPNG Representatives
  • Program Partners and contracted service providers

  About You

  For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided:

  • Relevant undergraduate degree preferable or related tertiary qualification
  • Significant demonstrated experience in supporting safeguarding compliance on large, complex programs, including leading the development and implementation of policy safeguard risk assessments, implementation plans and technical capacity development across a broad range of stakeholders.
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills and proven experience in developing and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with key stakeholders to enable safeguarding compliance.
  • Excellent analytical and writing skills including the preparation of reports, briefs and policy analysis for executive audiences and key stakeholders.

  How to Apply

  Please ensure to address the Key Selection Criteria (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.
  • The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt Associates.

  We welcome and thank all applications; however only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

  Closing Date: Thursday, 23 November, 2023, (Midday, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT

  Abt Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to upholding high standards of Child Protection, Anti-bribery, and Fraud Protection.

  We encourage applications from experienced and capable women, and people with disabilities

• About the company

  Abt Associates uses data and bold thinking to improve the quality of people’s lives worldwide. From increasing crop yields and combatting infectious disease, to ensuring safe drinking water and promoting access to affordable housing—and more—we partner...

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