Finance & Operations Manager | APSP

Finance & Operations Manager |APSP

• Commencement: October 2025
• Long term role
• Location: Daru, Western Province, Papua New Guinea
• Open to PNG Citizens 

 

About the Program 

A stable, prosperous, peaceful, and resilient PNG is critical to Australia's interests. Australia is PNG's largest development partner, its 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 (WPP). Each program has its own outcomes, theory of change, operational approach and separate monitoring and evaluation systems. 

The APSP also includes the Subnational Governance Implementation Plan (SGIP) that proposes a scalable foundational delivery model of subnational engagement. The SGIP is referenced in the APSP Contract and Strategic Framework as the continuation of the current network of subnational advisers (SNA) in the Western Province, Highlands, Sepik’s and Morobe.

There are five high level outcomes which span all programs:

• Output one: Effective gender-centred 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 Global under a single contract since 2022, the centralized approach is aimed to ensure and drive value for money by realizing back-office efficiencies, ensure gender is consistently at the forefront of each program and deliver opportunities for learning and adaptation between programs.

 

Program Activity

The Western Province Partnership (WPP) is a component of the Australia-Papua New Guinea Subnational Program (APSP). The objective of the WPP is for Australia and Western Province foster stronger ties and greater coordination to improve human and economic development, enabling infrastructure and regional security.

The WPP will work toward the realization of the following end of program outcomes (EOPO) by 2026:

1. Women and men participating in program activities have diversified livelihoods from agriculture and fisheries.
2. Targeted communities collaborate to strengthen welfare, production, and resilience.
3. Women contribute to decision-making and take on leadership roles in targeted provincial, district, and community structures.
4. Policy and practice at provincial and district levels are directed towards delivery of minimum priority services. 

The WPP is nested under the Western Province Strategy which aims to unify Australia’s development assistance and captures Australia’s whole-of-government engagement

 

About the Opportunity

The Finance & Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing Daru-based and Morehead-based operations, financial and administrative services to the WPP to ensure that all tasks are completed accurately and in a timely manner.

The Finance & Operations Manager will maintain leading practices in operational and financial management systems and processes and ensure compliance with operational management systems, including zero tolerance for fraud. 

A key function of the position will be the demonstration of a visible and systematic commitment to achieving gender equality at Abt and for achieving against agreed gender equality performance objectives.

 

Key responsibilities

      Operations Compliance

• Ensure compliance with the Abt operations manual, Abt financial controls manual (incl for grants coordination, management and administration), and grants procedures.
• Oversee Daru-based and Morehead-based program operations and logistics, including: coordinating all fieldwork operations through the smooth and efficient administration of travel, accommodation, hire vessel/car arrangements, and coordination of the WPP’s vehicle and marine fleet movements.
• Ensure key Program planning documents are up-to-date and in accordance with the priorities of the Program, as agreed with the Team Leader.
• Provide operational advice to the Deputy Team Leader and the Team Leader on emerging issues as they arise, including advising on possible ways to address issues and mitigate risks and take an active role in their resolution.
• Collaborate closely with the operations team within the established framework for uptake of services including procurement, logistics and transportation, which will enable effective delivery program activities under the WPP.

      Finance & Administration:

• Oversee Daru-based and Morehead-based finance and administration systems ensuring staff undertake duties to support financial management in timely, accurate and efficient manner. Taking accountabilities for all aspects of work produced and understanding the implications of the role on the work of the wider team. 
• Support program staff to ensure compliance with the Abt operations manual, including finance chapter. Work with the Port Moresby-based finance team to ensure financial management systems and processes are compliant with Abt Associates’ requirements.
• Work closely with Finance Team to ensure anti-fraud and zero tolerance to corruption leading practice
• Prepare and request payment vouchers, cheques (as required), and electronic transfers for authorization and payment of any adhoc urgent requests.
• Maintain and update suppliers bank accounts and ensure payments are done correctly.
• Filing payment vouchers in line with e-filing procedures for tracking, reporting and auditing purposes.
• Responsible to bill ad hoc urgent requests and arrange for payments.
• Respond efficiently and effectively to enquiries from suppliers and staff in relation to the status of payments. 
• Assist in management of petty cash and in the absence of the Petty Cash Custodian Assist in bank runs; maintenance of cash receipt books and petty cash when required.
• Oversee accurate and up-to-date office asset registry and trackers for use of program fuel, stationary and other consumables.
• Develop preferred supplier lists for various goods and services and undertake small scale procurement.
• Interact professionally with a range of stakeholders and develop positive and effective relationships
• Reviewing cash advance acquittals.
• Maintaining/updating the Cash Advance Register.
• Support with preparation for both internal and external financial audits.
• Provide general administration support to the WPP as required 
• Provide up-to-date budget information as required.
• Provide finance and administration support to the Morehead Hub Operations

      Risk Management and Security

• Support the Deputy Team Leader and the Team Leader to facilitate program annual risk and security planning; review risk and security plans quarterly and undertake ad-hoc risk and security assessments as required.
• Manage implementation and compliance of approved risk and security management plans. Ensure compliance with Abt program risk strategies/plans and security strategies/plans

      General

• Ensure effective filing and accurate document and data control across the WPP. 
• Undertake other duties as required by the Deputy Team Leader and the Team Leader.

 

Key working relationships 

      Reporting to:

• Deputy Team Leader

      Direct reports:

• Finance & Administration Officer 
• Logistics & Administration Officer
• Facilities Assistant 
• Infrastructure & Procurement Coordinator 

      Working alongside:

• WPP Technical Advisers
• Manager, Community Grants Scheme 
• Manager, Economic Initiatives Program
• Manager, GEDSI Program 
• Procurement Officer (POM)
• Accountant, APSP (POM) 
•  Senior Program Coordinator (POM)
• Abt Shared Services

 

About You 

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

      Qualifications

• Relevant undergraduate degree/qualification in accounting, business administration or other.

      Knowledge

• Demonstrated understanding of financial administration and operational procedures.
• Demonstrated understanding of the program delivery requirements of the Australian and PNG Governments, and/or transnational private sector organisations.

      Skills/Experience

• Five years relevant experience and/or training work in finance, operations and administration within complex environments.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively deliver results for the program.
• Excellent administrative and operational skills and experience, including working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Office and online project management tools;
• Planning and logistics skills and coordination capability 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-cultural team.
• Good communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills;
• Excellent time management and organisational skills;
• High level of attention to detail;
• Punctual, responsible and reliable.

      Personal Attributes

• Delivers results for stakeholders
• Builds teams and cooperation
• Promotes Equity, Inclusivity and Diversity
• Adapts to change

 

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.

 

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

Closing Date:  23 September 2025 (Midday, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT